TIP! Make sure you are dribbling the right way. When you dribble a basketball you have to use the fingertips instead of the hand’s palm.

The freedom, enjoyment and delight people derive from the game of basketball is not overrated. Many people have much more to learn when reaping the benefits of the sport. Keep reading to learn more about this great sport.

TIP! You need good balance when you shoot. Everyone has seen professional basketball players make a shot from 20 feet away as they are falling.

Dribble while your head is up and your eyes are forward. You need more practice if you feel that you cannot dribble without focusing on the ball. Bring your ball along when you go out. Dribble as you walk down the street. Remember, if you are directly staring at the ball, there’s no way for you to see what’s happening on the court.

TIP! Free throws are mental as well as physical. You can train your body to complete the motions of making a free throw, but if you are mentally prepared to fail, you will.

Learn the way to throw proper bounce passes. It is best when the ball hits the receiving player near the waist. One good rule is for you to bounce the basketball most of the way toward the other player. There are many factors which come into play, though.

TIP! Do not restrict your practices to zone defenses alone. Learn how to play a man-to-man defense and a zone defense to get the best understanding of how the game works.

Making free throws are almost as much a mental part of the game as they are a physical part. With everyone watching, it can be easy to allow the pressure to interfere with your game. Stay relaxed and just focus on the goal and you will increase your free throw rate.

TIP! One good way to learn good passing is drill often without dribbling. Playing the game without the use of dribbling is a challenge, but it can help you and your team learn to make more precise passes.

Play solo basketball in the months leading up to the season, as well as during the season itself. Even though you play on a team, practicing alone can be helpful. This is just fine. You are able to do a lot with solo games. Practice pivoting or you can practice doing free throws. There is no shortage of things you can do.

TIP! Good footwork remains a vital part of basketball. Securing a good location is critical when playing basketball.

Ask your teammates what they like about how you play. Is there something that you excel at? It may be that you are quick on your feet or that you are always there to back them up. Discover what other people feel are your strongest skills and then set about perfecting them.

TIP! Don’t play while injured or else your injury will worsen. The sport of basketball is very physical, which makes one susceptible to injury.

In order to be your best on defense, take the time to completely understand the player you are guarding. Follow the scouting reports and watch tapes of their games. Know which players are left and right handed. Defense is more effective when you know what your opponent is likely to do. A defender that has knowledge will be a strong one.

TIP! See if your teammates admire something in particular about your game play. What do you need to focus in on and practice more? Perhaps you have an excellent understanding of defensive strategies or you are the fastest player on your team.

Whenever you work out, practice footwork and work on your core strength. Your body will be more stable and easier to move when you have strength in your core muscles. Focus on the back, buttocks, and hip muscle groups. To help get even quicker and have better footwork you can jump rope.

TIP! Study you opponent well to give yourself an edge. Make sure that you’ve watched tapes that show the other player.

If you are shooting as well, pay attention to the position of your shoulders. If you do not have your shoulders positioned properly, you will not make the shot. Your shoulders should always be square towards the basket. The shoulder that’s dominant should be in line with the rim.

TIP! 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.

Practice with your weak hand when it comes to dribbling. If you’re using both hands to dribble the ball well then you can get by an opponent easily. Tie the main hand you use behind your back so that you have to use the weak hand. Eventually, your weak hand will be able to dribble well.

Strength Training

TIP! You should always be aware of the position of your feet and their actions. An errant toe to the baseline while holding the ball will result in an “out of bounds” call.

Basketball players need to engage in strength training. In addition, stamina is important to the game, too. Even the youngest players need to have strong arms and legs. As they grow and become teenagers, weight-lifting can be beneficial. As an adult, strength training becomes vital in order to play your best basketball.

TIP! When playing a game of basketball, have a friend tape the game. This way, you can take a look at your game.

Concentrate your ball-handling below knee level whenever possible. The opposing team will have a harder time separating the ball from you. You need to bend your knees to have this happen, but you will be able to move along the court fast because you’ll be throwing off your defenders.

TIP! Prevent the opposing team from stealing the ball by dribbling hard. This makes the ball go back to your hand quicker, so offense has reduced chances at taking it from you.

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 need to anticipate when it will land so you can catch it on the rebound.

TIP! A good way to stay defensive is to have a defensive stance. Slide your feet to and fro or use your opposing foot to push off to maintain your position.

If you figure out which hand is non-dominant, make your opponent use it as much as possible. If they’re usually strong with their right hand, step near them using the left foot so that they need to switch sides. Keep your head parallel to their chest and be ready to take away the ball.

TIP! When you dribble while playing basketball, focus on bending your knees. Standing straight will make you see that it’s harder to handle and easier for the opposing players to take.

Make passing an important element of your game. Passing keeps your opponent guessing and on their toes. It also builds your team’s camaraderie. You can show your skills when the time is right. Don’t worry, that moment will come.

TIP! To help practice three-point shooting you should practice shooting at the NBA distance. School and the international standard lines are nearer than that.

The game of basketball is one that offers great exercise to play and lots of enjoyment to watch. To make certain to extract the full value of basketball, it pays to spend some time learning all about it. Hopefully, this article has helped you do that.