TIP! Practice your defense more than your offense. Defense is what wins basketball games.

The sport of basketball came about because of Dr. It was created by Doctor James Naismith to keep his students entertained in 1891. In the last century, basketball has become among the most globally appreciated sports. There have been many people who have made basketball a world wide phenomenon. Indeed, many basketball players are well known celebrities. If learning from their success is what you want, then you should read this article.

TIP! When you dribble, look forward, keeping your head up. You should never be looking at the basketball while dribbling.

You should practice your crossovers a lot. A crossover is when you move the ball from one hand to the other. The action must be very swift if it is to be successful. Once you’ve learned how to use it, the crossover dribble makes it easy to navigate the court in a more effective way.

TIP! Put the emphasis on your strengths can help you to be a better basketball player. If you can rely on your strengths, you will become a better player.

Make sure you spend your time focusing on your strengths. Your skills might not make you an all-start every time out, but playing up your strengths makes you a great contributor. You can also focus on your weaknesses if you know what they are.

TIP! It is important that you practice layups. You should expect layups to represent about 80% of all the shots you take in a game.

Get educated on the way to properly pass the ball on a bounce. Good bounce passes need to hit the other player waist length when they receive it. It’s generally a good idea to pass the ball about three-fourths of the distance between you and the receiving teammate. Of course, there are also other factors involved.

Free Throws

TIP! Play solo basketball in the months leading up to the season, as well as during the season itself. These skills all help with muscle memory so you know just what to do when you’re playing in a game.

Free throws have a huge mental element to them. Training your body is important, but you also have to be mentally ready for the shot. You are more likely to make more successful free throws if you relax and focus on the basket.

TIP! Never turn away from the ball so that you can always be prepared for what’s coming. This can help you to avoid surprises by fast passes, help you keep an eye on the rest of the court, and allow you to spot potential turnovers.

Better your basketball skills by watching the pros play. Watch professionals play or go check out talented local teams to see who has the moves that you want to learn. You’ll notice that each player has a skill that they are great at. Choose a move that you like and start practicing it.

TIP! Always be sure of where you’re placing your feet so you’re aware of what they’re doing. This can help you avoid going out of bounds or making a bad pass.

It is important to practice catching the ball from others as much as passing. During practice you should come up with drills where you perfect catching bad passes along with the good ones. This will help to improve your game when it gets intense. Help your team by learning to catch those bad passes, as well as those perfect passes.

TIP! When you want consistently good free throws, repeat your routine. Always dribble the same way, or with the same movements.

Play solo basketball in the months leading up to the season, as well as during the season itself. While basketball is a team sport, sometimes you just can’t find others to play with. That is not a problem. You’ll still be able to get a lot done when playing solo. Whether focusing on foul shots or how to pivot with the ball, you can look for ways to improve. You can always work on something.

TIP! To land your layups, jump off the foot opposite the hand you shoot with. If you normally shoot using your right hand, jump with your left.

Where are your feet? You want to make sure you don’t step over the bounds by even a teeny bit. If you take several steps while holding the ball, you could be called for traveling. Avoid lifting your feet when you are screening or in position for a charge or the foul will be called on you instead of your opponent.

TIP! To be a good dribbler, and a more versatile player, you have to develop not only your dominant hand but your weaker side as well. Utilizing both hands to dribble the basketball and switching effortlessly is key to advantage over an opponent.

If your opponent is pressing hard, you can give yourself some room to work by dribbling the ball between your legs. This will make it very hard for your defender to get it. Mastering this technique can give you a significant advantage.

TIP! Being a good defensive player involves disrupting your opponent’s concentration. Getting them to do things they aren’t accustomed to doing is ideal.

Practice drills that force you to get the basketball to the other end of the court in less than 5 dribbles. This may not seem feasible, but once you master it, your speed and stride will be truly impressive. This translates to simple layups, fast breaks or just a general increase in your team’s numbers.

TIP! As the point guard approaches within 10 feet of the middle of the court, your guards should take action and create a 2-3 trap. This is when they should trap him.

Take charges whenever you have the opportunity. This allows you to get the ball back for your team, setting up a foul. Not only that, your opponents may become confused or frustrated and stop playing their game plan.

TIP! If you want to improve your three-point shooting, try and do it from the NBA distance, at a minimum. School and the international standard lines are nearer than that.

Keep low when you play defense. You will be able to react more quickly and jump higher because of this. Stay in your defensive stance. When you have to break out of stance to block a shot, get back into form as quickly as possible.

TIP! Practice shooting hundreds of shots during each training, and you quickly improve shooting skills. Become better and better by practicing your fast dribble then stopping abruptly to make a shot.

Use your weak hand for brushing your hair, doing up your belt and opening bottles so you can build up its strength. If you can train yourself to be ambidextrous, you will gain complete control of that hand. This will make you a force to be reckoned with on the court.

TIP! Keep calm while shooting the ball. Keep focused on the basket.

Dribble the ball below knee level. This makes it difficult for the ball to be stolen. This also allows you to cover large distances across the court, which makes it difficult for opposing players o block you.

TIP! Proper pivoting is essential in the game of basketball. You must practice footwork so that you are comfortable on your feet.

Communication with your team mates is crucial to your overall success. Your actions and strategies must not be kept to yourself. It is a sport that requires team work. This means that everyone on the team must work together to achieve a common goal. Everyone assists each other. Discuss your strengths and weaknesses with teammates so you know where you need improvement.

TIP! If a team plays a zone defense, make use of a penetrating dribble to get past them. If you are able to get past your defender, the opposing team will have no option but to switch up their zones.

Always practice from all spots on the court. Practice your grip and proper balance. It is possible to make an off-balance shot, but it has less accuracy. The basketball’s air valve can be used to aid in perfecting your grip. Spread the fingers on your writing hand, and cover the valve with your palm.

TIP! Dribbling is both mental and physical, especially for advanced athletes. You must control the spin of the ball, the force with which it hits and the place it lands in regards to the position of your feet and legs.

In order to play a game of regulation basketball, you need a court that almost measures a football field, a hoop ten feet in height and ten players. Knowing the basics will enable you to play better. This article has provided you with some great tips, and you need to keep practicing in order to master them.