TIP! Learn the best way to make your free throws. As easy as these shots may seem, they are rather hard.

With so many fans around the world showing their love for the game, it is clear that basketball is one of the most popular sports. If you want to step up your game or get more out of your game-watching experience, consider taking the time to learn more about the sport. Read this article to gain the knowledge that will make watching or playing the game more fun.

TIP! Successful free throws require you to be mentally and physically strong. It’s easy to physically train for a free throw, yet mental preparation is also needed.

Successful free throwing requires as much mental skill as it does physical skill. Of course, you can show your body how to make free throws. However, if you’re not in the right state of mind, you won’t succeed. Relax and focus on the basket; this will help you succeed.

TIP! If you are good at shooting the ball then the last thing you want to do is lift weights. Muscle strength can be great for basketball players, but it is actually possible to have excessive amounts for playing on the perimeter.

Jump shooters should not also be iron pumpers. While muscle strength is good to have in any basketball position, it is possible to have too much for perimeter play. Some shooting guards that play professionally have such big arms that their field goal rate went down.

TIP! How would you like to trick the opposing team? Try a back pass. Hold the ball in your strong hand to start the pass.

If you have a child that is strength training for basketball, their core muscles should be properly developed. They should train their lower back, hips, and abs. The core connects the lower and upper extremities, and if a person has a weak core, they will fail to excel in athletic pursuits. A strong core helps you jump higher and run faster.

TIP! When it is not basketball season, keep in practice by shooting baskets and practicing your skills. Even if you can’t get a bunch of people together to play, you can still practice on your own.

When injuries occur on the court, it is unwise to keep on playing. Basketball is physically demanding, and it is easy to get hurt. Trying to play while injured will just make your situation worse. Anytime you have a serious injury, you should seek medical attention.

TIP! A great way to stay prepared at all times is to always face the ball. You develop a good feel for the game around you, making it much easier to quickly react to your opponent.

If you slump when you shoot, look at what your shoulders are doing. Shoulders are the key to a consistently successful shot. Your shoulders need to be squared up towards where you’re shooting. You want your strong-side shoulder in perfect alignment with the rim.

TIP! If you are shooting as well, pay attention to the position of your shoulders. If your shoulders aren’t correct, you may not be able to make the shots.

It can help you when you pass through your legs. Go forwards and backwards with the ball to practice bouncing it. Mastering this move can give you an advantage on the court.

TIP! If an opponent is staying with you, try passing the ball between your legs. Go forwards and backwards with the ball to practice bouncing it.

Your routines must be consistent for free throws. Failure to use consistency may make your shots less accurate. The most effective method to achieve a great free throw is by practicing it repeatedly until you get it right. If you have a glitch in the routine, you are likely to miss your shot.

TIP! If you want improve your free throws, you have to develop a routine. A routine that is constantly in flux will only open up more opportunities for failure.

Change your pace up to throw the offense off. As you approach the goal, plant your foot and then straighten up. This will confuse your opponent into adjusting their stance. Push forward and blast by them.

TIP! Upset and disrupt your opponent’s play. All successful basketball players do this.

When you dribble, keep your knees comfortably bent. When you stand straight up, you’ll find that the ball is harder to control and the ball will be a lot easier for an opponent to steal. Just a little bending at the knees can make a huge difference in your overall ball control.

TIP! Dribble hard to avoid ball stealing. The ball will get back to the hand faster, giving the other team less of an opportunity to grab it away.

Practice dribbling while you switch your body’s momentum from one side to the other. During the game, you will dribble in various situations. You might be swarmed by various opponents or get an open court. Because of this, you must be able to dribble efficiently regardless of your body’s position. This will help you in bad situations.

TIP! You need to take charge when the opportunity presents itself. This allows you to get the ball back for your team, setting up a foul.

You should keep the ball below the knees if you’re able to. Doing this makes it more difficult for members of the opposing team to steal the ball from you. You need to bend your body somewhat to accomplish this. It will, however, increase your overall effectiveness, as you are making the ball much harder to steal.

TIP! Keep low as you defend. This allows you to jump or react quicker.

Be certain to practice moves off the court that will truly help you on the court. Running sprints helps you get faster for individual plays, and long-distance running is better for improving your game stamina. If you need to perform better shots, work on your resistance by doing some weight lifting. You will be able to shoot well with this confidence and aggression.

TIP! Be sure you’re doing the right kinds of exercises off the court to help you on it. Running, both sprints and long distance, can help your game.

Double dribbling is a major rule, and something that must always be avoided. This occurs if you restart dribbling seconds after you have stopped your original dribble. When you’ve ceased dribbling, you can just shoot or pass the ball. You can’t pick up the dribble again. This creates a turnover, which will cause you to lose the ball to your opponent quickly.

TIP! If someone is shooting from a corner of the court, a missed shot will likely bounce right over the net and to the other side of the court. If that happens, you can guess the place where it will go and manage to get the rebound.

If you’re sure that the person in possession of the ball isn’t good with one hand, try getting them to use it. For example, if your opponent is right handed, force them to use their left hand. Keep your head inline with their shoulders, that way you will be low, and in a good position to take the ball.

TIP! As you hit the ground after catching a rebound, improve your balance by spreading your legs wider than your shoulder span as you land. You want to bring the ball tight into your body with both hands.

Try to calm your nerves in order to become a top-notch scorer. Keep your eyes on the rim and don’t lose focus. In particular, train your eyes to move to the back of the rim when you are shooting. However, when performing a layup, shift your eyes to watch whatever spot on the backboard you intend to bank your shot off of.

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 feet for improved power and balance and retrieve the ball with both hands.

Keep your eye on the ball whenever it leaves any player’s hands. You cannot win a basketball game without rebounds. It doesn’t matter if you defend an opponent greatly when they shoot and miss if you can’t get the ball once again.

TIP! Keep your eye on the ball, no matter whose hands it was in before it started to move. You cannot win a basketball game without rebounds.

It’s hard to match the passion and exhilaration that basketball instills in its fans. You will find the game more enjoyable after you read this article and gain a basic understanding of how it works. This article should give any aspiring basketball player the knowledge to improve their game.