TIP! It’s easy to focus on offense when learning to play, but your practice time would be better spent on defense. Basketball games are won with a good defense.

Not even pros know everything about basketball. Things change all the time and you have to know that you have to learn more about the sport all the time. Would you like to have a competitive edge? If you really want that edge, take a good look at the article below.

TIP! Figure out how to perfect your free throw. It looks simple to do, but it isn’t that easy.

If you handle the ball often, you need to learn how to do a crossover. A crossover is when you move the ball from one hand to the other. If order for the maneuver to be a success, it has to be performed with speed. When done correctly, the crossover dribble help you to change direction in order to move down the court efficiently.

TIP! Look forward and hold your head up while you dribble the ball. If you have to look at the ball while dribbling, that means you need to practice more.

Practice your layup shot as frequently as possible. 80% of all shots in a game are usually layups. When you practice, run toward the net, and then get a high jump in so you can smoothly shoot. If you can do this right, you can master this shot.

Receiving Player

TIP! Improving your balance means improving your shots. Your knees should be bent with your feet slightly wider than your shoulders.

You have to know how to bounce pass properly. It is best when the ball hits the receiving player near the waist. A good estimation is to target the ball to bounce at about 3/4 of the distance that the receiving player is. There are, however, other factors that influence the pass.

TIP! Do not only practice zone defense plays. Most of the basketball game will probably be played in this zone, but the other team might decide to surprise you and do some man-to-man coverage.

Passing between your legs can be helpful when the other team is riding you hard. Practice dribbling the ball between your legs. If you manage to master this, you will have a tremendous advantage during games.

TIP! Playing basketball does not require excessive muscle development. It’s important to be strong, but not too strong.

Practice looking the other way when passing. This can go a long way toward confusing the opposition. If you do it right, the look makes members of the opposing team look in the wrong direction, which gives the person to whom you passed the ball plenty of time to make the shot. If this is pulled off, then it usually has good results.

TIP! Do you want to fool the other team? Try a back pass. To accomplish this, grab the ball with the dominant hand.

Give your layouts the most by launching from the foot that opposes the hand you are shooting with. So, if you shoot using your left hand, launch with your right foot. This way you keep your body away from defenders, your momentum going in the direction of the basket and your body stays balanced.

Free Throws

TIP! As you exercise to improve your game, it is important to work on your footwork and strength. When your core is strengthened, you will have more balance and be able to move more swiftly.

Consistent free throws require a consistent technique. Inconsistency will ruin your shots. The easiest way to make sure you’re doing great at free throws is to do repetitions of the same routines time and again. You will probably miss your shot if the routine you use is not perfect.

TIP! If you aren’t shooting the ball well, you need to concentrate on your shoulders. When they are out of alignment, all shots will fail.

An excellent way to have proper defensive posture is to remain in the correct stance. Slide sideways and use your back foot to push off in order to maintain the defensive stance in stride. Keep in mind that your feet shouldn’t cross and this should make you good at defense.

TIP! In order to play defense successfully, you must be able to disrupt the game of your opponent. Force them to leave their comfort zone.

The sound advice above should give you the confidence you have been trying to achieve. Take what you have learned here and apply it to your game. Don’t stop practicing and learning. Take your basketball prowess a step above, and use what you’ve just learned along the way.