TIP! Keep your head up when you dribble. If you have to keep your eye on the ball when you’re dribbling, practice can remedy that.

Basketball has been popular for a very long period of time, as it allows folks a way to have fun and compete at the same time. If you wish to learn how to play your best basketball, you should practice often. Finish this article, because it has knowledge you can use.

TIP! Work on pass catches. Make sure you get used to catching less than perfect passes smoothly.

It’s natural to focus on offensive abilities when practicing the sport of basketball, but your practice time needs to focus on defense. Defense ultimately determines the winner of a game of basketball. While offense seems to get the praise, defense must be stellar in order to win.

TIP! There are passes that can confuse the other team momentarily. Try the back pass.

Dribbling the ball the right way needs to be done. Don’t use your palm, use your fingers. This way you’ll have a lot more control over the ball. Dribble to your body’s side instead of doing it out front, and bounce the ball at your waist’s level. Keep your eyes up.

Free Throw

TIP! Avoid errant passes by using hand signals. Players can get easily frustrated if they make a pass to players that aren’t available to catch the ball.

Learn the best way to make your free throws. The free throw shot might seem simple, but it can actually be pretty difficult. When practicing your free throw, concentrate on where you want the ball to go when it leaves your hands. Begin by bringing the ball up to eye level. Maintain focus on the basket and try to visualize your basketball falling through the hoop. Then try shooting the ball along the trajectory that was in your mind.

TIP! You should ask your teammates about your strengths and weaknesses. You may have a certain skill that you have perfected.

When dribbling the basketball you should keep your head up. If you must look at the ball while dribbling, you haven’t practiced enough. Always have a basketball handy. Dribble while walking to the store. Maintaining unbroken visual contact with the ball makes it difficult to be aware of your surroundings.

TIP! A smart tip to follow while playing basketball is to always keep your eye on the ball and not away from the play. Always knowing where the ball is will make sure that you are ready if it quickly comes your way.

Start out with proper balance before attempting to take a shot. You’ve seen the pros fall out of bounds when trying to shoot 30 feet from the basket; this is a bad move. Professional basketball players tend to improvise when need be. If you have correct balance when you are making a shot, you will make more consistent baskets over time.

TIP! Give your layouts the most by launching from the foot that opposes the hand you are shooting with. Jump off your left foot when you shoot using your right hand.

It is important that you practice layups. Since layups account for the majority of scoring in a game. When you practice, be sure to run at the goal with full speed, jumping and shooting in a smooth series of motions. If you can do this right, you can master this shot.

TIP! A solid routine is necessary for improvement in free throw shooting. Failure to use consistency may make your shots less accurate.

Hitting free throws is a mental challenge as well as a physical one. With everyone watching, it can be easy to allow the pressure to interfere with your game. Relax your mind and keep your concentration centered on the basket to make more of these freebies.

TIP! Improve your ball-handling by strengthening your hands and your forearms. An exercise to help develop your basketball skills is to perform wrist curls.

If you want to be a master of the jump shot, do not make weight lifting a priority. Muscle strength is great for any position in basketball, you can have too much when it comes to perimeter play. Some professional shooting guards made their arms so big that it started decreasing their field goal percentage.

TIP! Good footwork can really help you to get those rebounds. Be aware that the defender who is below you will start moving in your direction.

Hand signals can help stop you from turning the ball over. Passing is tough, especially if you and your teammate are not in sync with one another. You can avoid this by using hand signals if a player is able to take a pass. If the signal is not used, then the pass should not be made to that player.

TIP! Bend your knees when dribbling the basketball. Opposing players can steal the ball more easily if you stand up straight because you can’t control the ball as well.

Asking for feedback from coaches and teammates about your playing is important in order to become a stronger player. Find out what they perceive as your best skill. You might be quick, or you might always be around to support them. Discover what other people feel are your strongest skills and then set about perfecting them.

TIP! The only way to gain skill in outside shooting is to make over 100 practice shots every day from various spots on the court. To improve further, work on fast dribbling just before shooting.

To properly handle the ball, you have to spread your fingers out. This can help you avoid losing it when you hold it. However, remember to keep your palm away from the ball. The only things that should touch the ball are your fingers, as you shoot or pass.

TIP! Always know the angles the ball is likely to take if it misses a goal. Positioning yourself on the opposite side of the basket will increase your chances of getting the rebound.

You need to be quick to be good at basketball. Speeding up the temp allows you to out-quick your opponent. You need to really drill to get to the point where you can play fast. But do not try to play faster than you are able. You will not be able to control your moves if you play faster than you are able to.

TIP! It is necessary for you to change the path of your opponent. Whether you are in an offensive or defensive stance, make other players do what you want.

Consistent free throws require a consistent technique. Your shot could be off if you are inconsistent. If you want to perfect free throw shooting, pick a routine and repeat it continuously. If you do not practice this shot consistently, you may miss it during an actual game.

TIP! If you figure out which hand is non-dominant, make your opponent use it as much as possible. For instance, you could step toward a player on their right side to force them to switch to their left hand.

When you use these tips, you will have more fun when playing basketball. Continue your quest to learn more by reading blogs and articles that will help you further your skills. Keep the advice handy as you better your skills.

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