TIP! Free throw practice is vitally important. These shots look easy on television, but are actually hard when you are doing the shooting.

Are you a basketball fan, but know little about the game? You are not alone. Few people know what it takes to shoot, pass, and block like professional players. This article will help you play just like them.

TIP! Start out with proper balance before attempting to take a shot. Sometimes you’ll see professional players fall out of bounds while making a shot from afar, but this doesn’t work at all times.

You can easily focus on offense when learning to play basketball, however, you must really focus how playing defense. Defense is how you win a basketball game. While offense seems to get the praise, defense must be stellar in order to win.

TIP! Tricking the other team is a good way to win a game. How about the behind the back pass? Hold the ball using your dominant hand.

Learn the mechanics of a free throw. This is something that seems simple, but in reality it can be hard. Put this technique into practice as often as you can. First, keep the ball in front of you and at eye level. Keep looking towards the goal and think about the ball getting into that goal. Then repeat that when you take the shot.

TIP! If you have student that wants to play basketball for their high school team, they will need to spend some time training their core muscles. Core muscles include the hips, abs, and lower back.

Even professional basketball players spend a lot of time watching other people play basketball. Get tickets to some pro games, if possible, or catch some games on television. Every player has skills that make them good, and you can work on the skills they use.

TIP! Never turn away from the ball, so that you can always stay ready for anything. 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.

Make sure that your regular practice includes catching of passes. Don’t just work on waist-level, perfect passes, though, work on receiving tougher passes as well. During the game, not all passes will go where they’re intended. You and your team mates will be happier if you (and they) are more versatile.

TIP! Your fingers should always be spread out when handling the ball. This will help you keep a better grip on the ball.

Tricking the other team is a good way to win a game. Try doing what is known as a back pass. To accomplish this pass, grasp the ball using your dominant hand. Pull it behind you. Lastly, flick your wrist in the direction that you want the ball to land. This should be helpful in tricking them team.

TIP! When trying to improve your strength to have better basketball footwork, work on building up your core. If the core muscles are in good shape, you will feel lighter on your feet.

Make better passes through the use of coordinated hand signals. Passing is tough, especially if you and your teammate are not in sync with one another. The use of hand signals can help you avoid this difficulty. If you don’t see a signal, try to find someone else to pass to.

TIP! Watch your shoulders and their position if you notice yourself developing a slump in your shooting. If your shoulders are in a bad position, no matter how good you are, you won’t make the shot.

Don’t play when you are injured! Basketball is physically challenging, and injuries are not uncommon. Trying to tough it out and keep playing, even if you are experiencing discomfort, can exacerbate an injury even more. Visit a doctor if you think it’s serious.

TIP! Stay conscious of your foot motion and placement. You will be called out of bounds if even one toe is touching the baseline as you hold the ball.

You never want to have your back to the ball if you can help it. That will keep you aware, so you don’t get surprised by turnovers or quick passes. Also, keep your eyes on areas that open up on the court for an easy basket.

TIP! Having a pre-free-throw shot routine will help you become dependable at free throws. Whatever you do before each shot, from dribbles to body motions, should be the same each time.

To get the rebound from the free throw your teammate is making, you need to do some fancy footwork. The defender below you will be moving toward you, so find a way to slip around him and get to the ball. This technique will help you rebound the ball without getting a foul called on you.

TIP! A solid routine is necessary for improvement in free throw shooting. If you’re consistent, your shots will be too.

Remain low when playing defense. Staying low will help you to be a more swift opponent when you mirror the man standing in your path. Stay in your defensive stance. When you have to break out of stance to block a shot, get back into form as quickly as possible.

TIP! Your forearms and hands should be strengthened in order for you to handle the ball better. Wrist curls can be great for honing ball handling skills.

Use wrist curls to increase the strength in your weaker arm. By improving your weaker hand’s dexterity, your control over the hand will significantly improve. You will soon see a difference on the court if you are consistent with these simple exercises.

TIP! Having good communication on the court with teammates is a great way to play. Basketball involves playing on a team.

Always bend the knees while dribbling. Standing while dribbling will make it much easier for the opponent to steal the ball from you. Bending your knees slightly will improve your overall ability to control the ball.

TIP! Keep your eye on the ball, no matter whose hands it was in before it started to move. Rebounds are an essential component of basketball.

Keep the activity below the knees if possible. This makes it more difficult for your opponents to steal the ball. This will help you move the ball down the court easier.

TIP! Proper pivoting is essential in the game of basketball. Practice often so you do not have to think about pivoting during a game.

Learn to control where your opponent can and can’t move. Whether you are playing defense or offense, you must be capable of controlling the directions of opposing players. This will let you go where you would like and they cannot determine your path.

Stop Dribbling

TIP! Focus on developing your footwork. Know where your feet should be placed when pivoting and playing various positions.

Do not double dribble. This happens when you stop dribbling and then begin again. Once you stop dribbling, you choices are to either shoot or pass the ball. You can’t just start dribbling again. When you do that, it’s called a turnover. It will cause you to have to surrender the ball to the opposing team.

TIP! Always pressure the man with the basketball when you are on defense. When you are less than six feet away, the player can only hold the ball after he stops dribbling for no more than five seconds.

In conclusion, you may enjoy basketball and just didn’t know much about it before you read this. Hopefully now that you’ve finished reading this article, you feel like you understand the game much better. Go play a game, so you can start using these great tips?