TIP! Keep your head up when you dribble. If you are looking at the ball for any reason while dribbling, you have not put in enough practice.

No one would attempt to fix a car’s transmission without knowing how to do it. How can you succeed at basketball without researching the sport first? This article will teach you the basics so you can get up to speed on the game of basketball.

TIP! Always work on your layups. A huge percentage of successful shots are layups.

When learning the game of basketball, it’s easy to get caught up in offensive play. But you should also give plenty of attention to defense. In the end, it’s defense that consistently wins you games. Offense may score points but defense keeps the other team from scoring points that your team will have to match.

TIP! Teach yourself how a bounce pass can be properly thrown. Good bounce passes need to hit the other player waist length when they receive it.

Learn how to hit a free throw shot. It looks simple to do, but it isn’t that easy. You should practice as often as possible with this technique. Hold the ball level to your face. Use visualization to imagine the goal occurring. Shoot the ball how you imagine it going in.

TIP! Observing what the professionals do can be a great way to improve your game. Try to go to games, watch televised games, or check out videos of the pros playing.

When dribbling, make sure you hold your head high and look straight ahead. Lack of practice will manifest itself in looking down towards the ball when dribbling. Take the basketball around off-court wherever you are. If you are heading down to the market, dribble as you go. By looking forward instead of at the basketball, you are able to see the happenings on the court.

TIP! A good way to practice sound passing is to drill without dribbling. It is difficult playing without dribbling; however, it helps the team make better passes.

You have to know how to bounce pass properly. Bouncing the pass to the receiver should be at their waist. It’s best to bounce the basketball about 75 percent of the way towards your teammate. There are other variables to consider though.

TIP! If you’re going to be a jump shooter, don’t lift too many weights. It’s possible to have excessive muscles when you play the perimeter.

Lifting weights too much can actually take away from your jump shot. Muscle strength can be great for basketball players, but it is actually possible to have excessive amounts for playing on the perimeter. Some shooting guards that play professionally have such big arms that their field goal rate went down.

TIP! There are passes that can confuse the other team momentarily. Back passes can give your team the opportunity to score while the other team is still wondering what happened.

Hand signals will help you avoid those errant passes. Oftentimes frustration occurs when trying you aren’t on the same page with a teammate who cuts to the basketball when you try to pass him the ball. You can get around that when you use hand signals, if a player can receive a pass. Without a signal, you should not attempt to pass the ball to a player.

TIP! Children who aspire to become great basketball players in high school must engage in physical fitness activities that focus on the core muscles. That means their hips, lower back and abs.

If you get hurt during a basketball game, don’t try to play while in pain. Basketball is very physical and there’s always a risk of injury. Trying to play through the pain could just cause more damage. Don’t hesitate to see the doctor if you feel the injury warrants it.

TIP! One great thing to do if you wish to be prepared while playing is to make sure your back isn’t turned to the ball. That will keep you aware, so you don’t get surprised by turnovers or quick passes.

Proper handling of the ball requires that your fingers be spread apart. This makes sure that it does not escape away from your grip. Do not allow the palm of your hand to make contact with the ball. Your fingers must be the only things contacting it when you shoot or pass the ball at the target.

TIP! When exercising, concentrate on building up core strength and improving your footwork. When you have strong core muscles, your body will be better balanced and will move faster.

Have a friend or family member videotape your games, then view the video to see the result. You’ll likely see ways that you can improve. Appraise your performance honestly but don’t be overly harsh with yourself. The reality of your play is often very different from your perception.

TIP! Making a pass from between your legs is sometimes a good option when the opposing team is right on top of you. Step forward and back while dribbling the ball between your legs hard.

Workout to increase flexibility and strength in your hands and forearms. Wrist curls are great for bettering your ball handling in basketball to the point where you could practically do it sleepwalking. Don’t just think you’re able to stand around, catch the ball and then shoot it. Strength and flexibility in your hands will allow you to move the ball more gracefully and swiftly.

TIP! Learn to pass the ball without looking at your intended target. This will easily confuse your opponents.

Good footwork can really help you to get those rebounds. Slip around the defender moving your way and get the ball. This helps you avoid the foul call and also grab the rebound.

TIP! If you want to make the most of your layup, push up from the foot that is opposite the hand you will shoot from. That means, if you shoot right-handed, use your left foot for taking off.

Make sure your vision is good. You don’t need great vision just to keep score. Your peripheral vision should be the best it can be. It allows you to view the game as a whole rather than simply watching the ball. In this way, you can be aware of the players around you.

TIP! Practicing with your weak hand will help to make you a better dribbler. By being able to easily dribble with two hands rather than one, you have a huge advantage over your defenders.

Change your pace up to throw the offense off. Try to block the net by planting your foot hard. The guard will assume you’re slowing down and start to straighten up, too. As they do, push forward hard and run by them.

TIP! In order to be good at rebounding the ball off a missed free throw, you must be quick with your feet. The more quickly you get under the basket, the better you chance of grabbing the rebound.

Use a 2-3 zone as a way to trap opponents. You can do this by having guards wait for the point guard to come at least 10 feet past midcourt. Then they need to get to the guard on point to trap him. It also lets you have forwards on blocks sprint to the wing players. The point guard will then probably throw an easily interceptable pass.

Nba Range

TIP! To get better at three-point shots, work on shooting from the NBA three-point line. The established International standard line is closer, as are the high school and college lines.

One way to increase your three-point skill is to practice at the NBA range. Remember that high school, college and international standard lines are all shorter than the NBA distance. Hitting from the NBA range makes you get deeper-ranged looks than the defense will be guarding you at.

TIP! You should try to remain calm while you are shooting. This will help improve your focus during the shot.

Make sure your dribble is consistent until you decide to shake up the opposing player. You can for instance suddenly speed up your dribbling to get past an opponent and get the edge you need for a shot. When they are focused on stealing the ball, your change in rhythm can really throw them off.

TIP! It is important to know what to do when the ball comes to you. Should you shoot it or pass it? Better to be responsible for a shot that leads to a win, than to be that one player whose bad shot cost the team a win.

Learning to improve things on your own initiative imparts a feeling of pride. Learning what you need to better your game is the icing on the cake. With that information at hand, you will be impressing your team, and winning all of your games.