TIP! A lot of novice players mostly focus on their offensive skills, but developing good defensive skills will help you become a better player. Defense is how you win a basketball game.

Basketball is a wonderful sport that fits every gender type. Almost anyone can get in the game if they want to. Show your friends your moves when you play basketball with them again. Wait, what did you learn? Continue reading this article to learn new things that you can try.

Free Throw

TIP! Hand signals can help you to stay away from making bad passes. It can be frustrating to attempt to pass the ball to a team mate as that person is heading toward the basket.

Find out how to make free throw shots. The execution of a free throw is not as simple as it may appear. Use the following directions to perfect free throws and practice often. First, hold the ball just above your nose, about 8 inches from your face. Focus on the ball and visualize it going toward the goal. Then, use the trajectory you just visualized and shoot the ball.

TIP! One way to get a good understanding of your game is to ask your fellow players about your ability. Can they tell you what you’re really good at? Perhaps you have good dribbling skills or maybe your footwork is enviable.

It is vital that you learn to crossover the basketball while dribbling. Moving the ball from hand to hand is a crossover. Your crossovers should be fast, which is why it is important to practice them. When done correctly, a good crossover dribble assists you in being efficient and helping you change direction when you need to.

TIP! Figuring out the opponent is a great way to do well against a tight defense. One great way to get a better understanding of your opponent is to take the time to watch film and get information from other players or scouts.

To improve your game, concentrate on your strong points. Your best skills may not be center-stage every game, but knowing how to play the best angles can help you give more to your team. Knowing what you excel at and then practicing that can help you become perfect at it!

TIP! Quickness is a key skill in basketball. You will have the advantage over your opponents if you can really play fast.

Make sure that you practice your layups frequently. This is the most popular shot in basketball. Dribble the ball in front of you while taking large strides followed by a smooth shot. Practicing your running and jumping as a single motion will improve your technique faster than practicing them separately.

TIP! In order to perfect your layup shooting technique practice, take off with your left foot if you shoot with your right hand and vice versa. Practice shooting using your right hand, then jump off your left foot.

Bounce passes are important in the game of basketball. Bouncing the pass to the receiver should be at their waist. It’s smart to get the ball to bounce about 75% to the receiving player. There are other variables to consider though.

TIP! A routine can enable your free throw percentage to rise. If you are inconsistent then your shot will be off.

A good way to practice sound passing is to drill without dribbling. It is hard to play basketball without dribbling, and demands accurate passing and teamwork, so it will be a challenge. Don’t get too frustrated if you’re having a hard time when you start because after a while passes are going to be more accurate.

TIP! You can improve your ability to handle the ball by working out your forearms and hands. Strong hands make it easier for you to keep control of the basketball.

Hand signals will help you avoid those errant passes. Basketball passes can be really frustrating when shot wrong. You can avoid this by using hand signals if a player is able to take a pass. If your teammate misses your signal, then they may miss the ball as well and the other team could gain possession.

TIP! Stay in your defensive stance while defending your basket against opponents. Shuffle your feet in a side to side motion, then use your opposite foot to push off and give you good leverage.

Make it your goal to never turn away from the ball on the court. 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. When your eyes are constantly assessing the game, you will be better able to make easy shots.

TIP! Defensive players need to stay low. Doing so improves your reaction time with regards to your opponents’ actions.

Boost your defensive abilities by studying the opposing team and its players. Watch tapes and be sure you’re paying attention to scouting reports. Know which team members are right handed and which ones are left handed. Once you have a solid idea of your opponent, you can dial in on the best way to defend. A defender that has knowledge will be a strong one.

TIP! Keep the action beneath your knees, if you can. This makes it difficult for the ball to be stolen.

Make sure you know what is going on with your feet. Stepping even a toe on the baseline with the ball in your hands means you are out of bounds. More than three steps will cause you to get called for travelling. A foul will result if you try to take a charge or set a pick and your feet are moving.

TIP! Use the hand you aren’t dribbling with to keep the opponent away from the ball. You can’t push with that arm, but it can serve as an obstacle that helps keep your opponent from reaching in.

A good way to see yourself playing is to have someone record your games. Can you see where you can improve your form? Are there things you might have done differently? It is important that your assessment is an honest one, but isn’t overly critical. Sometimes you think of yourself as something you are not.

TIP! Use workouts to better your game. Sprinting will help you develop speed, while running long distances will help you develop great stamina.

Now you can show your stuff off on the court. With the advice from this article on your side, your game is sure to improve. Just keep the game fun. Winning will be fun, too, of course!