TIP! Focusing on the offense may come easily but you need to be able to focus on the defense as well., Defense is how you win a basketball game.

Basketball holds universal appeal. The sport is easy to love, but mastering it is not quite so simple. While you must have some natural talent to be a star, you can have fun no matter what your skill set is. Read on to learn some useful basketball information.

TIP! Make sure you are looking forward and looking up as you’re dribbling. You haven’t practiced enough if you keep looking at the basketball while you’re dribbling.

Dribbling the ball the right way needs to be done. Avoid using your palm while dribbling. Instead, use your fingertips. Using your fingers allows you to better control the basketball. Dribble to your body’s side instead of doing it out front, and bounce the ball at your waist’s level. Don’t look at the ground, always keep your eyes focused forward.

TIP! Do not practice solely against zone defense. Most of the basketball game will probably be played in this zone, but the other team might decide to surprise you and do some man-to-man coverage.

Make sure that you practice your layups frequently. A huge percentage of successful shots are layups. Don’t just walk through a layup drill. It is key to go at game tempo to practice the timing needed to maintain accuracy. This method will teach you to improve your jumps and shots throughout the game.

TIP! You may have better luck honing your passing skills if you forgo dribbling during practice. Playing without any dribbling is very hard, but builds your passing skills.

Completing passes to your teammates is just as important as dribbling the ball. It is quite challenging to play the game without dribbling, but it does make sure you and your teammates make accurate passes. Don’t get frustrated if it’s hard at first because it will get better over time.

TIP! If there’s no one around to play with, it is okay to play a basketball game by yourself. Even if you can’t get a bunch of people together to play, you can still practice on your own.

There are passes that can confuse the other team momentarily. The back pass is just the thing! To start, grab the ball using your good hand. Then, put the ball around your back. Finally your wrist should be flicked towards where you want the ball to go. This will confuse the other team into wondering where the ball went.

TIP! Avoid errant passes by using hand signals. Basketball passes can be really frustrating when shot wrong.

What do your teammates admire about your skills? They will probably notice the things you do best. You could potentially be excellent in one area while you are busy focusing on another, unaware. Determine what others like about your game and fine tune those skills.

TIP! Good footwork is important when you’re posting up in the paint. You always want to beat your opponent to the open spot.

As you exercise to improve your game, it is important to work on your footwork and strength. When your core is strengthened, you will have more balance and be able to move more swiftly. Focus on your hip, abdomen, and back muscles. You will improve your speed and footwork if you jump rope like boxers do.

Free Throws

TIP! Practice passing while looking the opposite direction. Doing this is a great way to confuse your opponents.

If you want improve your free throws, you have to develop a routine. If you’re not consistent you’ll find yourself missing free throws. The best way to perfect your free throw shooting technique is through repetition by practicing the same routine over and over again. This will help you develop a routine. If that routine goes off, it will cause you to miss your shot.

TIP! To generate consistency with layups, leap from the opposite foot from the hand you use to shoot. So, if you shoot using your left hand, launch with your right foot.

The key to great defense is being a nuisance to the player you are guarding. Make them uncomfortable. Display aggressiveness in your chosen moves. You don’t want the defense choosing your plays so to speak. This will give your opponent the chance to run over you. It’s important, then, to be aggressive and mess up their game rhythms.

TIP! A good player on defense will annoy the heck out of the opponent and cause the other team to get flustered. Get them outside their comfort zone.

Improve your ball-handling by strengthening your hands and your forearms. Wrist curls can be great for honing ball handling skills. Don’t believe you will be able to simply plant yourself someplace, receive the ball and sink a shot. You must move the ball to have things happen.

TIP! Practice moving the ball from one courtside to the other in just 5 dribbles of the ball. It isn’t impossible, it just takes practice.

Make sure that the pace changes when you are on defense. When running towards the net, step on your front foot, and start to straighten up your body. Your opponent will see you as stopping, then will also stop themselves. Once they slow their momentum, you can shoot past them with a burst of speed.

TIP! Whenever possible, take advantage of an attack. By taking a charge, your team will get the ball.

Are you now ready to show off your skills? Consider first practicing the pointers in this article. Get motivated and hit that court! Before long, you will be a much better player, thanks to these amazing tips.