TIP! When dribbling, your head must be up, and you need to look forward. Anyone who watching the ball while they dribble surely needs to spend more time in the gym practicing.

Basketball was the result of one person’s dream, Dr. Basketball was invented in 1891. Since that time, it has grown into a sport beloved by many people. People of all ages love the sport of basketball. J to Magic Johnson, it has made celebrities out of its best players. To learn from the experts, keep reading.

TIP! Balance is vital to good shooting. Many the professional player can be seen slipping out of bounds or making baskets from far away, but these are not proper techniques.

It is easy to be focused on offense when you are learning how to play basketball, but you really should focus your practice on defense. Defense is essential to winning these games. Offense gets all the praise and attention, but without a good defense, any basketball team is destined to lose.

TIP! If you want to improve your game, concentrate 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.

If you typically handle the ball a lot, it pays to learn the crossover. Being able to dribble the ball with both hands and crossover between the two will make you a better player. That action has to be done fast to be successful. By having the ability to move either way quickly, you will become a better all-around player.

TIP! Perfect your layup technique. A huge percentage of successful shots are layups.

Making free throws are almost as much a mental part of the game as they are a physical part. You must train both your body and your mind. Take a deep breath, relax and imagine you are at practice to help yourself make the shot.

TIP! Get educated on the way to properly pass the ball on a bounce. A bounce pass that’s good is going to end up hitting the other player near their waist.

You can learn how to pass well by drilling on it separately from dribbling. While this may be difficult, it gets you used to finding teammates and thinking on the run. Work through the initial frustration and see how the challenge will improve your game in the long run.

TIP! Prior to basketball season, and even during it, you can play solo games. It is possible to enjoy this team sport even in the absence of your team.

Playing basketball does not require excessive muscle development. Being weighed down by too much bulky muscle can have a negative impact on your jump shot. You might see a decrease in your goal percentages if your biceps become too large.

TIP! When posting up, solid footwork is essential to getting yourself into position to shoot. Focus on positioning yourself more quickly than the opposing player is just as important as having someone beneath the hoop.

Try using hand signals to ensure that your passes are received. It is very frustrating when a teammate isn’t open for the perfect pass. You can get around that when you use hand signals, if a player can receive a pass. If the signal is absent, do not pass to that player.

TIP! You can improve your ability to handle the ball by working out your forearms and hands. Curling your wrists also help you improve your own dribbling.

Your fingers should always be spread out when handling the ball. This will help prevent the ball from getting away from you while dribbling. However, remember to keep your palm away from the ball. The only things that should touch the ball are your fingers, as you shoot or pass.

TIP! You must be able to box out other players when attempting to rebound free throws. Your defender will move towards you, so figure out how to slither past him and grab the ball.

Use the foot opposite of the hand you shoot with for a better layup. Thus, if you tend to shoot with the right hand, make sure to jump off with the left. This can help you to remain balanced, continue moving toward the hoop, and will keep your body between the defender and yourself.

TIP! Dribbling the ball fast and hard will help you to keep better control of it. This is because the ball returns to you hand faster, so the opposing team has less of a chance to get it.

To play basketball all you need is a rim that is ten feet high and hard pavement to bounce the ball. A strong knowledge is required if you want to play it well. This article has been a great start, so continue learning and practicing until you master the game.