TIP! Don’t limit your practice to just playing against the zone defense. Your opponent may change their game up to keep you on your toes.

Do you enjoy basketball, but think that you don’t know much about it? Don’t worry, you are not alone! Lots of folks watch basketball games and marvel at what the professionals can do. This article will help you play just like them.

TIP! If you are good at shooting the ball then the last thing you want to do is lift weights. It’s possible to have excessive muscles when you play the perimeter.

Balance is important when shooting. While the all-time greats have shown time and time again how they can shoot while off-kilter, this is not the ideal way to score. Taking a shot when you are off balance will probably lead to a turnover. You need to be balanced properly if you’re going to be making shots, so that over time you’ll be able to always hit the basket.

TIP! When avoiding errant passes, use hand signals. It can be frustrating passing to a teammate when you’re both heading to the basket.

If you wish to do better with basketball, you have to focus on what you’re good at. You can contribute to the team by consolidating your best skills, even if these skills do not make you one of the star players. Knowing what you excel at and then practicing that can help you become perfect at it!

Bounce Pass

TIP! A good basketball player is really quick on his feet. Try playing faster than the opponents for a better advantage.

Every great player understands how to properly perform a bounce pass. A good bounce pass should hit the player on the receiving end at waist level. Bounce the ball so that it lands near your teammate. Although, there will be other circumstances that are involved too.

TIP! Always know where your feet are and what they are doing. If you fall on a baseline, you will be out of bounds.

Free throws are as much mental as they are physical, like other parts of the game. You may know how to make a free throw but if your focus is off, then you will miss. Relax as you focus on making the shot, and soon you’ll be making more free throws.

TIP! Practice passing while looking another way. You are able to confuse opponents with this technique.

Watching the pros can help you pick up on certain skills for improving your game. You can do this by watching games in person and on television. You will quickly notice all the different skills that they have which makes them a great player, then take what you learned and use it to help improve your own game.

TIP! Practice with your weak hand when it comes to dribbling. You will be able to get past your opponent more easily if you can use either hand to dribble the ball.

Play basketball against yourself even during the off-season. Basketball is usually a team sport, but just because you can’t find others, doesn’t mean you have to just stop thinking about it. That’s fine. You can still do a lot on your own. Work on your free throws or your pivot moves. You can always find things to work on.

TIP! Take charges whenever you have the opportunity. When you do that, you can earn defensive stops, get the ball back, and set up foul shots against the other team.

See if your teammates admire something in particular about your game play. Is there something that you excel at? Continue to develop the skills that play into your natural abilities. Find out what your strong points are in the eyes of others. This way you can develop your most valuable skills.

TIP! If you want to boost your weaker hand skills, use it whenever you can, be it opening jars or just brushing your teeth. Being able to dribble and shoot the ball with both hands will make it much more difficult for opponents to defend you.

Pay close attention to your shoulders if you’ve suddenly developed a shooting slump. Regardless of your skill level, if you don’t have your shoulders positioned correctly, you will miss. Shoulders should be towards the hoop. Line up your shooting shoulder with the rim as well.

TIP! Practice your dribbling skills while shifting your momentum to alternate sides. In the middle of a game, lots of dribbling situations will arise.

You need to be quick to play good basketball. If you want the advantage, you need to be quicker than your opponents. You need to really drill to get to the point where you can play fast. Don’t attempt to play more quickly than your skills allow. By playing beyond your speed capabilities, you will quickly lose control of the ball, which will lead to bad passes, bad shots, and turnovers.

TIP! Try using your non-dribbling hand like a barrier between the ball and your opponent. You don’t need to be shoving the opponents, but you’re able to keep them away by using the arm that isn’t dribbling as a separator.

Always be aware of where you have your feet and what you are going to do with them next. Stepping even a toe on the baseline with the ball in your hands means you are out of bounds. If you travel without dribbling, you’re going to get yourself into a turnover situation. Also, moving either foot when trying to set a screen, pick or take a charge results in a foul call.

TIP! Grabbing and keeping a rebound depends on how well you’re positioned before and after the ball comes off the rim. Jumping with both feet creates a more balanced, powerful motion.

You likely didn’t know much about basketball previously. Now that you possess some new tips on the subject, you should feel prepared to play with greater confidence. Start up a game and start using these tips.