TIP! One of the most important skills when playing basketball is balance. Of course, pros may make baskets from a great distance while falling off the court, but this isn’t standard.

Do you like basketball, but don’t understand all there is to know about it? You are not alone. Many people like watching basketball and wondering how the pros play like they do. This article is packed with useful ideas and insights to help you become a better player.

TIP! It is important that you practice layups. Layup shots make up nearly 80% of a game’s shots.

Balance is vital to good shooting. Of course, pros may make baskets from a great distance while falling off the court, but this isn’t standard. 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! Free throws are mental as well as physical. Of course, you can show your body how to make free throws.

A bounce pass is an important technique to learn. Executed properly, a bounce pass will connect with the receiving player at the waist. One good rule is for you to bounce the basketball most of the way toward the other player. Of course, there are also other factors involved.

TIP! Avoid errant passes by the use of hand signals. One of basketball’s most frustrating elements is the concept of sending a quick pass onto a teammate who has just moved in a different direction.

One great way to pass good is to drill when you can without dribbling. It is tough to play when not dribbling, but your accuracy is sure to inprove. It may seem nearly impossible at first, but over time your team will learn to throw accurate passes and be in good position to receive them.

TIP! Spreading the fingers is something you have to do to handle the ball right. That will ensure that it doesn’t get away from you as you hold it.

Don’t bulk up if you want to be good as a jump shooter. Muscle strength is great for any position in basketball, you can have too much when it comes to perimeter play. There have been instances where great shooters bulk up so much that it adversely affects their shooting percentage.

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. So, your left foot should be the one you take off from if you use your right hand to shoot.

If you have a high school level basketball player for a kid, be sure their core muscles are properly trained. That means their hips, lower back and abs. These muscles form a bridge across the lower and upper parts of your body. When the core is weak, it is difficult to coordinate the movements of both halves. A strong core helps the legs move better, like jumping higher and running faster.

TIP! Good footwork will help you get rebounds off your teammates’ foul shots. The more quickly you get under the basket, the better you chance of grabbing the rebound.

Being able to anticipate your opponent is a key skill. Review videotapes and monitor scouting reports. Know the dominant hand of every player. Studying your opponent is one of the best ways to be able to win the game. A knowledgeable defender is a strong defender.

Free Throw

TIP! If an opponent charges at you, let him run into you. This helps get the ball for the team and allows another foul on the opponent.

Do your free throw shooting the same way every time. Perhaps you will dribble twice, follow up by bending your knees, pulling your earlobe or performing some other ritualistic action for good luck. When you have a steady and consistent routine, your muscles will remember what to do to shoot those free throw shots.

TIP! Strength training can improve your game. Stamina and strength are two things you need to do well in this sport.

If your opponent is pressing hard, you can give yourself some room to work by dribbling the ball between your legs. This can be practiced by dribbling the ball as hard as you can between the legs while you step in either direction. This is a tricky move, but it will provide you a good advantage when you play.

TIP! Maintain a lower position as you play defense. This helps your jumps become quicker and betters your reaction to the person before you simpler.

You must have a consistent practice routine if you want to learn to shoot free throws well. Your shot could be off if you are inconsistent. The best way to perfect your free throw shooting technique is through repetition by practicing the same routine over and over again. If you don’t do the routine right, then the shot won’t make it.

TIP! Your defenders need to wait for the point guard to make it 10′ ahead of the time line. This is when they should trap him.

To avoid having the ball stolen, dribble hard. The harder you dribble, the faster the ball will return to the cup of you hand. Stop dribbling when people guard you too closely.

TIP! The easiest way to do well at basketball is to speak with the team to see what everyone is up to. Basketball is a sport played by a team.

When you have a chance, take a charge. A charge leads to a turnover by the opposing team and gives you the ball back. This can devastate a competitor psychologically as well as being a powerful play on the court.

TIP! Be sure to practice shooting from a variety of spots on the court. Practice your grip and balance first.

Never break your defensive stance as this will assure you are in your proper position for defense. To move, just slide from back and forth with your feet, or use a foot to push off, keeping your stance all the time. Keep in mind that your feet shouldn’t cross and this should make you good at defense.

TIP! As you come down from catching a rebound, land with your legs spread wider than the span of your shoulders to increase your balance. Have your hands on both sides of the ball.

Remain low when playing defense. This helps you jump fast and react quickly. Remain in a correct defensive pose always. When you need to block, quickly get back into your stance.

TIP! Where you are before and following a rebound is going to mean the difference between possessing the ball or giving it to the other team. Use both feet to jump for the ball, then hold on with both of your hands.

Work on dribbling the ball while switching the momentum of the body from side to side. You’re going to be dribbling in many different conditions during a game. You will have many opponents swarming you. You must know how to dribble effectively by leaning your body in both directions. This allows you to get yourself out of a tough spot.

TIP! A great way to beat teams in zone defense is a penetrating dribble. Breaking through your opponents defenses and getting into the paint will cause your opponent to change what they’re doing.

In conclusion, you may enjoy basketball and just didn’t know much about it before you read this. Hopefully, you’ll be ready to jump in and start playing now! Keep reading to learn how you can improve your game!