TIP! While focusing on offense is fun, you must also make sure you focus on defense. Defense is what keep the other team from scoring.

Basketball has been around for a long time, since Dr. Dr. James Naismith was his name and he invented it in 1891. In the last century, basketball has become among the most globally appreciated sports. Celebrities such as Doctor J and Magic Johnson have made the game fun for everyone. and Earvin Magic Johnson have shown that if you are an all-pro player, you are also a global celebrity. Look at this article for tips that helped them become successful.

TIP! Practice your pass catching often. Be sure to be able to catch off-target throws on top of good ones.

Balance is important when shooting. You’ve seen the pros fall out-of-bounds and shoot a basket up to 300 feet away, however, this isn’t proper technique. They are not doing it right. You should have proper balance when making your shots, and over time this will lead to consistently making baskets.

TIP! Lifting weights too much can actually take away from your jump shot. Muscle is good, but you can have too much.

Make sure to practice your layups whenever possible. Eighty percent of the shots taken in a game are layups. When practicing it is important to run at full speed toward the goal, then jump and shoot smoothly. Knowing how to run and jump quickly and smoothly will assist you in knowing how to leap and shoot more effectively while playing.

TIP! How would you like to trick the opposing team? Consider the back pass. To do a back pass, begin by grasping the basketball using your dominant hand.

If you’re posting up, good footwork is the key to getting open and getting a good shot. You must be certain to get the good spot ahead of your opponent. Once you have a location, it is important that your feet are firmly planted there. Solid footwork can make both of these things happen.

TIP! Never play through an injury when playing basketball. Basketball is hard to play well even when you are healthy, so don’t push it.

Make sure, no matter what else happens, you can see where the ball is. This helps you become aware of the court and lowers chances for surprises from turnovers and quick passes. Knowing where the other players are on the court helps you open passing lanes and gives you more opportunities to take a shot.

TIP! What do your teammates admire about your skills? What areas are your strong points? Perhaps you have an excellent understanding of defensive strategies or you are the fastest player on your team. Learn what other’s see as your natural skills and make sure to keep and develop those skills more fully.

If you slump when you shoot, look at what your shoulders are doing. When they are out of alignment, all shots will fail. Shoulders should be towards the hoop. The shoulder that’s dominant needs to be lined up with the rim perfectly.

TIP! If you experience a slump in your scoring and shooting, your shoulders may be the cause of the problem. When they are out of alignment, all shots will fail.

If you’re quick on the basketball court, you have a built in advantage. If you want the advantage, you need to be quicker than your opponents. Playing fast takes practice, though, and steady drilling. Don’t attempt to play more quickly than your skills allow. By playing beyond your speed capabilities, you will quickly lose control of the ball, which will lead to bad passes, bad shots, and turnovers.

TIP! A good way to see yourself playing is to have someone record your games. Looking at tapes can help you identify strengths and weaknesses.

Have someone taper your games and then watch it to see how you look on the court. Are you able to see what you’ve missed or things that you could improve on? Be honest with yourself but don’t be too harsh. It can help you to see how you really are instead of what you imagine you are.

TIP! Practice looking in the opposite direction when you make a pass. It can be very confusing to your opponents.

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. Slip past him, and you can get the ball. Doing so will allow you to get the rebound sans a foul.

TIP! A good drill to try is the five dribble drill. You try to get the ball the entire length of the court in only five dribbles.

If you seek a regulation basketball game, there are a few things you will need: 10 players, a hoop 10 feet off the ground and a basketball court that is just about the size of a football field. You have to know a lot about it if it’s something you want to do good at. The tips you just read should be helpful but they represent a very small portion of the many things you need to know about basketball.