TIP! Improving your balance means improving your shots. You’ve seen the pros fall out-of-bounds and shoot a basket up to 300 feet away, however, this isn’t proper technique.

Basketball is simply not something to just play while in gym. You could have fun playing at a park or in your driveway. If you love to shoot hoops, then you should focus on learning all you can about how to play better by reading the content below.

TIP! Never practice only against the zone. Most of the game is played in zone, but your opponent may try to switch things up to do man-to-man coverage.

It’s easy to focus on offense when learning to play, but your practice time would be better spent on defense. Defense ultimately determines the winner of a game of basketball. While everyone focuses on shots made, a good defense can kill the chances of even an amazing shot taker.

TIP! To keep passes under control, make use of hand signals. One thing that can frustrate you when playing basketball is to try and pass while a player is trying to run to the basket.

Keep your head up when you dribble. If you must look at the ball while dribbling, you haven’t practiced enough. The ball can go with you when you go anywhere. On your way to the grocery store, practice your dribbling. Staring at the ball doesn’t allow you to watch the other players.

Free Throw

TIP! The best free throws come as a result of routine. This may mean you want to dribble three times, touch your forehead, bend at the knees, or do anything else.

Free throws are as mental as physical. You may know how to make a free throw but if your focus is off, then you will miss. Stay calm and collected to increase your free throw percentage.

TIP! You need to put a damper in your opponent’s plan if you want to be successful with defending. Getting them to do things they aren’t accustomed to doing is ideal.

A good way to get your basketball game up to speed is to start trying to see how the pros are playing. It is important that you see how other people play the game. You’ll see that every great player has specific skills that cause them to be great and you have the opportunity to practice what you’re watching them do.

TIP! Improve both forearms and hands to improve ball control. Wrist curls work well at helping you handle the ball.

Practice basketball in season and out of season. You may not always be able to find someone to play with you. No problem! You can still do a lot on your own. Work on free throws or practice pivot moves. You can always practice.

TIP! Make sure your vision is good. You don’t just want to be able to pass and shoot well.

Try using hand signals to ensure that your passes are received. Oftentimes frustration occurs when trying you aren’t on the same page with a teammate who cuts to the basketball when you try to pass him the ball. You can stay away from doing this if you use a hand signal to see if someone is ready for a pass. If the person doesn’t make a signal the person shouldn’t get passed to.

TIP! It can be great help to do strength training when you’re training for basketball. In order to be the best you can at basketball, you need to be strong and hardy.

Quick and solid footwork is what it takes to make the shot when your posting up. Securing a good location is critical when playing basketball. Once you get into your position, you need to secure it. Footwork, therefore, is crucial.

TIP! AS you dribble the basketball down the court, keep your knees bent. If you don’t bend your knees, you are more susceptible to having the ball stolen by the other team.

Boost your defensive abilities by studying the opposing team and its players. Review videotapes and monitor scouting reports. See if you can determine each players strong and weak sides. This knowledge will help you play the best game possible. A smart defender is someone who is good at his position.

TIP! To better three-point shooting, try using NBA distance as the minimum. That is the furthest distance that you would ever have to shoot from to score a three.

Practice looking in a different direction when you pass. This should befuddle your opponent. If you do it right, this draws your opponents’ focus the wrong way. It’s quite a play when done properly.

TIP! Having good communication on the court with teammates is a great way to play. Each team has multiple players on it.

Whether you enjoy the occasional casual game or compete in local tournaments, improving your skills on the court can help you get more out of the game. Use the information you have learned here. The more you learn, the more you can enjoy playing and watching basketball.