TIP! It is important to focus on both offense and defense when learning to play basketball. Defense is what wins basketball games.

Basketball is a great sport and it’s easy to learn about. You can pick up the basics in very little time. However, you can always learn new things if basketball is something you wish to be good at, and this article is here to help you.

TIP! Make sure to dribble properly. Use fingertips to dribble.

Balance is essential to shooting. Many the professional player can be seen slipping out of bounds or making baskets from far away, but these are not proper techniques. They improvise to do that. Balance needs to be maintained to consistently make successful shots.

TIP! Balance is essential to shooting. Even though a professional can hit all sorts of crazy off-balance shots, it is not the ideal method of shooting that you want to learn.

If you are good at shooting the ball then the last thing you want to do is lift weights. It’s important to be strong, but not too strong. Certain pro guards ended up increasing their arm size so much that their shooting started to suffer.

TIP! Practice your bounce pass. Good bounce passes need to hit the other player waist length when they receive it.

Interested in tricking your opponents? Back passes are a great way to confuse other players. Hold the ball using your dominant hand. The next step is pull the basketball behind the back. Lastly, flick your wrist in the direction that you want the ball to land. You can use this action to deceive your opponents.

TIP! Be sure to watch professional games to learn some great tips and tricks to improve your game. You can follow the pros in online videos, on TV and you can also attend a basketball game if there is a pro team in your area.

Play basketball against yourself even during the off-season. You may not always be able to find someone to play with you. No problem. There is much that can be accomplished when playing on your own. Work on free throws or three pointers. You can always work on something.

TIP! Frequently practice passing and catching the passes of others. While you are practicing, you should be sure to drill yourself on catching errant throws, as well as catching those perfect passes.

Basketball players of all ages benefit from exercises that strengthen their core. The core muscles are the hips, lower back muscles and the abdominal muscles. The core connects the lower extremities to the upper extremities. Without a strong core, your performance may be limited. A strong, sturdy core allows force from the legs to fuel movements like running and jumping.

TIP! If you’re injured when playing basketball, don’t push through the pain. You can easily tear a muscle or even break a finger while playing.

Avoid errant passes by the use of hand signals. One of the more frustrating aspects of basketball is making a pass to a teammate at the same time they head to the basket. You can stay away from doing this if you use a hand signal to see if someone is ready for a pass. Without a signal, the ball controller shouldn’t make a pass.

TIP! Ask teammates what they admire about your playing skills? Do they feel you are really good at something? They may say you’re fast or that you share well. By understanding what your teammates see as your best skills, you can ensure that you keep a strong focus and hone these abilities even more.

Have your team mates critique your playing skills. Do you have an area where you excel? You might be quick, or you might always be around to support them. Find out how your game appears to others and develop your skills accordingly.

TIP! The key to ball control is to spread your fingers out. This will help prevent the ball from getting away from you while dribbling.

You can improve your control of the ball by spreading your fingers. This can help you avoid losing it when you hold it. Try to keep your palm off of the ball as well. The only things that should touch the ball are your fingers, as you shoot or pass.

TIP! If the opposition is hot on your tail, pass between your legs. Practice this by bouncing the ball hard between your legs as you take a step forward or back.

When you’re working out, concentrate on core strength building and your footwork. You will stay balanced if your core is strong. Your hip, buttocks, back and abdomen muscles need to be worked on. Jump rope can be used to speed up your feet.

TIP! To get more out of layups, take off using the foot that;s the opposite of your shooting hand. If you use your right hand to shoot, use your left foot to take off.

Passing between the legs is great when you are being closely guarded. To practice, simply bounce the basketball between your legs while stepping either forward or backwards. When you’ve mastered this step, you will be at a great advantage.

TIP! Get into a consistent routine to improve your free throw shots. If you aren’t able to be consistent then you’ll be off when you shoot.

Being a successful defensive player means upsetting and disrupting your opponent’s play. Don’t let your opponent get comfortable out there on the court. Be aggressive as you execute your moves. Do not allow them to decide which plays to make. If you do so, then your rivals have the control. Try making the initial move and interrupt their rhythm.

TIP! Practice noticing what is in your peripheral vision. This will prepare you for unexpected passes and help you evade defenders.

Maybe you are a newbie when it comes to basketball. Perhaps you were good at basketball already. Either way, this information improves your playing skills. Use this information the very next time you play.