TIP! Free throws are an excellent skill to practice in your spare time. This is something that seems simple, but in reality it can be hard.

Basketball isn’t a game that’s only played in after school games or gym class. There are many places where you can play ball including your local park and own backyard. If you love to shoot hoops, then you should focus on learning all you can about how to play better by reading the content below.

TIP! Balance is essential to shooting. Your knees should be bent with your feet slightly wider than your shoulders.

It’s simple to want to work on offense when you’re getting into basketball, but it’s smarter to think about defense practice too. Victory requires the ability to play defense. Offense gets attention and praise, but when you lack good defense, any team can lose.

TIP! Don’t bulk up if you want to be good as a jump shooter. It’s possible to have excessive muscles when you play the perimeter.

Dribble properly. Don’t use your palm to dribble. Instead, use your fingertips. Dribbling this way improves your ball control dramatically. You should be dribbling the ball at your side instead of in front of your body. The ball should always be dribbled at waist level. Keep your eyes up, not on the ground.

TIP! Hand signals can help you to stay away from making bad passes. Players can get easily frustrated if they make a pass to players that aren’t available to catch the ball.

You can improve your skills by paying attention to how the pros play. Go to games, watch them on TV and you can also watch videos. Every player has a skill that allows him to succeed. Practice their moves to become better.

Core Muscles

TIP! Understanding the opponent is key in beating a tough defense. Watch taped games, and keep current with scouting reports.

If you have a high school level basketball player for a kid, be sure their core muscles are properly trained. Core muscles include hips, abs and the lower back. A core that is not strong enough limits the linkage between arms and legs. A strong core helps you jump higher and run faster.

TIP! When exercise, concentrate on perfecting footwork and strengthening your core muscles. Your body will naturally balance well if you have strong core muscles.

If you are shooting as well, pay attention to the position of your shoulders. Regardless of your skill level, if you don’t have your shoulders positioned correctly, you will miss. Be sure that your shoulders square up in front of the hoop. The dominant shoulder needs to be lined up with the rim.

TIP! To become a reliable free throw shooter, always go through the same routine before each shot. Perhaps you will dribble twice, follow up by bending your knees, pulling your earlobe or performing some other ritualistic action for good luck.

You need to be quick to play good basketball. If you can play quicker than the opposing team can, then you will be at an advantage. You have to be steady as you play quickly. Don’t try playing fast until you can. Doing so can cause the game to spin out of control as turnovers and faulty passes are made.

TIP! You need good vision if you are going to play basketball. You don’t just want to be able to pass and shoot well.

When you’re practicing passing, try to look the other way. This is a great way to fake out your opponents. When it’s done properly, it will cause the opponents to go to the wrong area so that you can pass to someone that has a good look at a basket before shooting. When completed correctly, it creates an awesome play.

TIP! Strength training can be a major help in basketball. In order to be the best you can at basketball, you need to be strong and hardy.

To generate consistency with layups, leap from the opposite foot from the hand you use to shoot. If you play to use your right hand to shoot, you’ll want to use your left foot to take off. This will allow you to be more balanced while moving closer to the basket while keeping your body between the defender and you.

TIP! You can improve your shooting skills by practicing with shots from different spots on the court. Try dribbling a little and pull up for your shot.

Being a good defensive player involves disrupting your opponent’s concentration. Do not allow your opponent to become comfortable with their style, or yours. Execute aggressive moves. You don’t want the defense choosing your plays so to speak. If you let them control the game, you will lose. You make the moves, which helps shift the momentum.

TIP! Only cease dribbling when you are prepared to shoot or pass. After dribbling is stopped, your choices are very limited.

To rebound off your fellow player’s free throws, use sly feet. Try to anticipate the move of the defender between yourself and the basket so that you can maneuver around him and to the hoop. This allows you to grab the rebound legally.

TIP! The goal to improving a game is building conversation with your teammates. In order to win games, you have to work together as a team.

Do not release your defensive stance. You will always be in a defensive position if you slide your feet one way and then the other and push off using your opposing foot. Always keep your feet from crossing, and you will make it hard for any opponent to get past.

TIP! Make sure your dribble is consistent until you decide to shake up the opposing player. A consistent dribbling broken up by a fast paced dribble can surprise your opponent and give you a major edge for a shot.

Use your weak hand for brushing your hair, doing up your belt and opening bottles so you can build up its strength. If your ability to use that hand starts to improve, the benefits to your basketball playing talents will be substantial. This also can significantly help your basketball game.

TIP! If you are aware of a weakness in one of your opponent’s hands, make them work with that side. If that player is right-handed, move in the player’s direction on your left foot.

Make strong team environments off and on the court. A team that works together is an unstoppable team. If you know your team members intimately and everyone trusts each other, your game will be seriously enhanced.

TIP! If you’re in possession of the ball, learn when you should be passing the ball to a player with a better shot and when you should be taking the shot yourself. By ignoring other teammates who are open to hog the ball yourself, you could end up costing your team the game.

When rebounding, hit the floor with your legs wide apart. Make sure that your hands are on both sides of the basketball, and that you hold it close to your chest. Take care to ensure that your elbows do not strike another player, as this is considered a foul.

TIP! If the opposing team is playing zone defense, a penetrating dribble can beat them. If you or another player can find a crease in the zone, the other team will have to swarm to the ball.

Where you are standing on the court can make a difference as to whether you get a rebound. Improve your balance and power by jumping using both feet. Be sure to use both hands to secure the ball. Once you gain possession of the ball, your feet should be positioned more widely than your shoulders. Hold the ball near your chest and regain your balance upon landing.

TIP! Understand your weaknesses. Be completely honest with yourself.

No matter whether you want to play some casual basketball or play in a more organized way, you’ll benefit by improving your skills. Follow the advice presented here to become the best basketball player you can. The more than you learn, the better you will play.