TIP! Many people only direct their attention to the offensive part of the game without realizing that defense is the key to winning. Victory requires the ability to play defense.

The basics of paying basketball are not really hard to learn. You can pick up the basics in a few short minutes. Of course, if you desire to be more than a casual player, there’s a lot you can learn from this article.

TIP! Balance is essential to shooting. You have seen some crazy shots made by professionals, but these shots aren’t going to be based on fundamentals.

Dribble the ball the right way. When dribbling the basketball, use your fingertips rather than the palm of your hand. You retain much more ball control this way. Dribble along the side of the body, not immediately in front of it, and keep the bounce to the waist level or below. Do not look at the ground; look up at all times.

TIP! Make sure you spend your time focusing on your strengths. Your talent might not make you a star; however, learning your strengths will help you become a better team player.

Free throw practice is vitally important. The free throw shot might seem simple, but it can actually be pretty difficult. Practice constantly using this tip. Begin by bringing the ball up to eye level. Concentrate on the basket and visualize the basketball going in. Then try shooting the ball along the trajectory that was in your mind.

TIP! Playing basketball does not require excessive muscle development. It’s possible to have excessive muscles when you play the perimeter.

It is important that you practice layups. Almost 80% of shots will be layups. Run as fast as possible, while jumping and performing a smooth shot. This technique helps improve your on-court layup skills.

TIP! Children who aspire to become great basketball players in high school must engage in physical fitness activities that focus on the core muscles. Core muscles include the hips, abs, and lower back.

Don’t play when you are injured! It’s a challenging sport that’s very physical, and you have the ability to get injured. Trying to play through the pain could just cause more damage. If the pain is bad, visit a doctor.

TIP! If your shooting is in a slump, take a look at your shoulders. When your shoulders are positioned improperly, you will never make the basket regardless of how good your abilities are.

Make sure your fingers are apart from one another when dribbling. This can help you to remain in control of the ball at all times. However, remember to keep your palm away from the ball. When passing and shooting the ball toward its target, the sole contact point should be fingers.

TIP! It is important to be aware of the location of your feet and just what they are up to. Stepping ever so slightly out of bounds while you have the ball can cause an overturn.

You should always be aware of the position of your feet and their actions. You want to make sure you don’t step over the bounds by even a teeny bit. Taking a lot of steps when you’re not dribbling means you’re traveling and that’s a turnover call. Also, moving either foot when trying to set a screen, pick or take a charge results in a foul call.

TIP! To help improve your ball handling skills, start incorporating your weak hand into your dribbling. When you are ambidextrous, you’ll be a better player.

Try practicing looking in the opposite direction when you pass. This trick can be used successfully to confuse defenders. When you do it right, the opponents are going to think you’re moving in one direction. That way, the person you’ve given the ball to has a bit of time to look at the net to taking a shot. This play can be very powerful.

TIP! Your forearms and hands should be strengthened in order for you to handle the ball better. Exercises that involve strengthening the wrist are especially helpful for dribbling.

To increase the efficiency of your layups, begin your takeoff on the foot opposite from the hand you’re shooting with. Use your left foot when shooting with the right hand. This will allow you to be more balanced while moving closer to the basket while keeping your body between the defender and you.

TIP! Practice drills where you strive to make it across the full court within 5 dribbles. This will help you to gain speed, stride length and control of the ball.

Try some drills that require you to move the basketball from one end of the court to the other in no more than five dribbles. This might seem impossible at first, but if you achieve it, you will have remarkable stride length and speed. Being able to do this lets you lead your team on a fast break and gets you to the rim that much quicker.

TIP! You should ensure that you can clearly see. This is not just to make reading the scoreboard easier, but also to facilitate the making of shots and catching of passes.

Maybe you’ve only recently learned basketball. Perhaps you have played the game ever since you were that wee tyke on the court. Regardless of the reason, this article will advise you on how to improve your game. Use the information from this article to help improve your game.