TIP! Practice your defense more than your offense. Defense is what stands between you and a win.

The game of hoops was created by Dr. He invented the game in 1891. After that it has become something that a lot of people have fallen in love with. Whether it is Dr. J. Most of the world has heard of Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. How do they do it? Reading these tips is an excellent start.

TIP! Every great player understands how to properly perform a bounce pass. Bounce passes should not go above or below the receiving players waist.

It is important to focus on both offense and defense when learning to play basketball. Defense can make or break a basketball game. While offense seems to get the praise, defense must be stellar in order to win.

TIP! See if your teammates admire something in particular about your game play. What areas are your strong points? They may say that you are a great team defender or are always playing with excellent speed.

Always keep your head up when dribbling instead of focusing on the ball. If you are looking at the ball for any reason while dribbling, you have not put in enough practice. Take the basketball to all the places that you go. Dribble the ball as you go about your day doing errands like walking the dog. If you look at the ball, you’re unable to see what’s going on down the court before you.

TIP! Whenever you work out, practice footwork and work on your core strength. When you have strong core muscles, your body will be better balanced and will move faster.

A good tip is to practice your layups on a daily basis. This will make up about eighty percent of shots during any basketball game. It’s critical to practice running towards the basket at full speed and following up with a good jump and smooth shot. Jump to the net and concentrate on shooting the ball in a specific location on the backboard.

TIP! Get someone to analyze how you play on tape. You can see where you can improve and what plays you missed.

Free throws are as much mental as they are physical, like other parts of the game. You can practice for hours on how to make the shot, but if you over think things or get distracted you will miss every time. Stay focused and vigilant to improve your ability to make free throws.

TIP! If the opposing team is breathing down your neck, it’s a good idea to pass the ball between your legs. Take a step back or forward and bounce the ball hard through your legs.

Observing what the professionals do can be a great way to improve your game. Go to a bunch of professional games in person, watch them on television, or just get online to search for basketball videos. You’ll be able to learn from the moves they make.

TIP! To get more out of layups, take off using the foot that;s the opposite of your shooting hand. Jump off your left foot when you shoot using your right hand.

To properly handle the ball, you have to spread your fingers out. The ball will not get away if you always keep your fingers spread when handling the ball. Also, keep your palm off the ball. When passing and shooting the ball toward its target, the sole contact point should be fingers.

TIP! Build up your forearms to become a better ball handler. Exercises that involve strengthening the wrist are especially helpful for dribbling.

When trying to improve your strength to have better basketball footwork, work on building up your core. When you have strong core muscles, your body will be better balanced and will move faster. Give your hips, buttocks, back and stomach a workout. Much like boxers do, you have the ability to bolster your footwork and agility by using a jump rope.

TIP! Stay on top of your footwork when attempting a rebound. The more quickly you get under the basket, the better you chance of grabbing the rebound.

If you slump when you shoot, look at what your shoulders are doing. When you’re in a shooting slump it usually means that your shoulders are not square to the hoop. Be sure that your shoulders square up in front of the hoop. The dominant shoulder needs to be aligned correctly with the rim.

TIP! Never pass up a charging opportunity. Letting the other guy run into you stops the game without having to use a time out, and adds another four to the opponent’s total.

A regulation basketball game consists of just ten players. A thorough understanding is critical in order to play with skill. This article is a great start to you becoming the best player that you can be.