TIP! Practice your defense more than your offense. Many times, defense actually wins the game.

Basketball fans transform whenever basketball season comes, whether it’s playing or just supporting their teams. It is important to make the games exciting for the spectators. Everyone on the team has to contribute somehow, so you have to be sure that you know what goes into having good basketball skills. Use these tips to make yourself a more valuable asset to your team.

TIP! Practice hitting your free throws. This is one of those shots that seem easy but in real life are difficult.

You must become knowledgeable about hitting a free-throw shot. This seems like an easy shot, but it is quite hard. Practice a lot with the following method. First, hold the ball just above your nose, about 8 inches from your face. Then, look at the ball and visualize it going in the basket. Then repeat that when you take the shot.

TIP! If you hold the ball a lot, you have to learn crossovers. This move entails transferring the basketball from your left hand to your right hand and back again.

You must have good balance to shoot well. You’ve seen the pros fall out of bounds when trying to shoot 30 feet from the basket; this is a bad move. These shots are improvisational and usually desperate attempts. If you are able to improve your sense of balance, then you will find that your percentage of successful shots improves.

TIP! Balance is important when shooting. We have all seen the professional basketball player falling out of bounds and making a basket from 30 feet away, but this is not proper technique.

If you’re posting up, good footwork is the key to getting open and getting a good shot. Although physical presence under the basket is important, getting to a good spot before your opponent does is even more important. Having found a good spot, you must secure it. Practicing your footwork is important to master these skills.

TIP! A good tip is to practice your layups on a daily basis. Eighty percent of the shots taken in a game are layups.

Figuring out the opponent is a great way to do well against a tight defense. Make sure that you’ve watched tapes that show the other player. You can also check out scouting reports. For example, you should know which of the players are left-handed and which are right-handed. Once you have a solid idea of your opponent, you can dial in on the best way to defend. Knowledge can make you a strong defender.

TIP! Practice your pass catching often. When practicing, try catching great passes as well as really bad passes.

When exercise, concentrate on perfecting footwork and strengthening your core muscles. Your balance will improve if you strengthen your core. Concentrate your efforts on the back, abdomen, buttocks and hips. Jumping rope is great for improving your footwork and also helping you to gain speed.

TIP! Do not practice solely against zone defense. The majority of game play might take place in the zone, but that doesn’t mean that the opposing team will not try to catch you off guard.

If you need some help seeing where you need work, try to get a friend or relative to record your games. Can you see chances that you missed or ways that you could have done better? Do not waste time criticizing yourself. Just make an honest assessment. Sometimes you have to face reality about your skills and just not dream about how you want to be.

TIP! If you’re a jump shooter, don’t lift weights too often. While muscle mass is good for any basketball position, perimeter play requires less than other positions.

To help perfect your free throw abilities you should perform a consistent routine. That could include a set number of dribbles, knee-bends or some other type of movement. Keep it simple and consistent, and the routine will become a part of your muscle memory.

TIP! Practice playing by yourself. Sometimes during off season, or when practicing, you can’t play as a team or find even a single opponent.

Passing between your legs can be helpful when the other team is riding you hard. You can practice this technique by stepping forward or backward and bouncing the ball with force between your legs. Once you get the move down, you can use it to gain a tactical advantage.

TIP! If you’re looking to be the best defensive player that you can be, you’ll want to know your opponent. Review tapes and keep up with scouting reports.

Practice passing while not looking in the direction of the pass. It can be very confusing to your opponents. You give your teammate a better chance to make the shot because the opposing player is moving the wrong direction when you pass the ball. When executed properly, this is a powerful play.

TIP! When you’re trying to work out, you should build up your core strength while getting your footwork perfected. Your body is going to be more balanced and be able to move faster when you have strong core muscles.

As stated in the above article, anyone can improve their basketball skills through many different ways. When you’re the best player that you can be, you’ll help to make your team better. Learn as much as you can about your particular position and play to the best of your ability. Your part as a player is to assist your team any way that you can. Therefore, keep this information in mind, and be a player everyone loves having on their team.