TIP! Make sure you learn how to shoot free throws. This kind of shot seems easy, but it really is not.

Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world. From playing at the park to watching the best in the sport play for a championship, Basketball is a sport that reaches a lot of people. If you enjoy playing the game, no doubt you want to show your best on the court at all times. These tips will help you improve your game immensely.

Practice Catching

TIP! Do not only practice zone defense plays. Learn how to play a man-to-man defense and a zone defense to get the best understanding of how the game works.

It is important to practice catching the ball from others as much as passing. You want to practice catching perfect passes and bad passes. In the middle of a heated game, not all attempted passes will go exactly where you want them to go. Make sure that your teammates also practice this type of pass with you.

TIP! Want to trick the other team? Try a back pass. To properly perform this pass you will need to have the ball in your dominant hand.

Want to trick the other team? Back passes are a great way to confuse other players. To start, grab the ball using your good hand. Then, move the basketball around your rear. Then you will use your wrist and flip it in the direction you want the ball to be going. Doing this will trick your opponent.

TIP! Don’t let the ball go behind your back. This can help you to avoid surprises by fast passes, help you keep an eye on the rest of the court, and allow you to spot potential turnovers.

Try playing basketball games alone before and during the season. Basketball is a multiple player sport, but other people won’t always be around. Don’t fret! You can still get a lot accomplished with solo games. Maybe work on those free throws or practice your pivoting. Many things can be practiced.

TIP! Speed is everything in basketball. Speed always gives you an edge over your opponent.

Never play through an injury on the court. It is possible to receive an injury when playing basketball because it is a sport that is physically challenging. Being tough is one thing, but playing through injury can only harm you even further and make the problem much worse. Serious injuries may require medical attention.

TIP! Be aware of your own actions and the position of your feet. Stepping even over a baseline when you’re in possession of the ball will have you called out of bounds.

Be aware of what your feet are doing and where they are. When you are in possession of the ball, touching the baseline will get you out of bounds. Holding the ball for too many steps and not dribbling will result in a walking call which will cause you to you will lose possession of the ball. A foul will result if you try to take a charge or set a pick and your feet are moving.

TIP! Your forearms and hands should be strengthened in order for you to handle the ball better. Curling your wrists also help you improve your own dribbling.

Have your games taped so you can play them back later and observe your court presence. While reviewing the tape, look for opportunities you may have missed during the game. Stay honest when you’re assessing yourself, but don’t over criticize yourself either. Analyze your skills honestly so you can become the player you want to be.

TIP! When you have a chance, take a charge. 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.

To become a reliable free throw shooter, always go through the same routine before each shot. It could be that you dribble several times, bend at the knees, brush your hair out of your eyes or do something else. Just make your routine quick, so that it can be consistent, and your body is going to remember just how to nail free throws following your ritual.

TIP! Don’t leave your defensive stance. To do this, avoid lurching or stepping across the floor; instead use smaller, shuffling steps to move with your opponent.

If the opposing team is breathing down your neck, it’s a good idea to pass the ball between your legs. Practice this by bouncing the ball hard between your legs as you take a step forward or back. Once you get the move down, you can use it to gain a tactical advantage.

TIP! If you want to improve your outside shooting skills then you need to take hundreds of shots each day from all over the court. You can get even better if you practice dribbling and pulling up quickly for a shot.

Practice drills where you strive to make it across the full court within 5 dribbles. This initially seems undoable, but it helps build speed and stride. Mastering this skill can help you to really improve your game.

TIP! A missed shot from the corner often results in the ball landing on the opposite side of the net. If that happens, you need to anticipate when it will land so you can catch it on the rebound.

Try to keep the ball in your line of sight at all times. You will need it for more than checking the scoreboard or passing and shooting. Develop your peripheral vision on the court. Being aware of the entire court will help you to better anticipate who will move where.

TIP! Build a sense of teamwork both off and on the court. Great basketball games happen when teams work together.

Take charges whenever possible. A charge leads to a turnover by the opposing team and gives you the ball back. Perfecting this play can really give you an advantage on the court.

TIP! Avoid double dribbling. If you start, stop and then begin again, that is double dribbling.

When you are on defense, make sure to keep yourself low. This will help you be quicker on the jump and react to the man in front of you easier. Maintain proper defensive position at all times. If you need to block someone’s shot, quickly get back into your stance.

TIP! Grabbing and keeping a rebound depends on how well you’re positioned before and after the ball comes off the rim. Jump with both of your feet to have more balance and power and then get the ball gripped with both of your hands.

To improve your perimeter shooting, it is important to practice every day from various spots on the court. For even better results, practice the run-up to your shot in addition to the actual shot. When you are off the ground, keep your eye on the basket, but not earlier. Your accuracy will get better and you’ll have a better idea of what real game conditions will be like.

TIP! If you know that the person with the ball is weak with one hand, force them to use it. If your opponent favors their right side, step to them using your left foot.

Always practice from all spots on the court. The first thing you should do is practice your grip and balance. It is possible to make an off-balance shot, but it has less accuracy. The valve that’s on the basketball can be used to improve your grip. Spread your dominant hand over the ball, positioning the valve in the middle of your hand; this is the center of the ball.

TIP! Passing should be an integral part of your game. Passing keeps your opponent guessing and on their toes.

You now know that there are countless tactics to make you a better player. Some techniques are easy to learn through practice. Practice is essential to mastering any of these, so be sure that you’ve got access to a hoop and try to play basketball when you can. You can build better basketball skills no matter who you practice with.