TIP! It’s natural to be drawn towards offense as a novice, but the pros know defense is where the game is won or lost. Defense ultimately determines the winner of a game of basketball.

What things should I understand when it comes to basketball? What should I study to become better and to understand the game more completely? This article is going to provide you with great knowledge to take with you to the court.

TIP! Perfect your free throw. This is something that seems simple, but in reality it can be hard.

While focusing on offense is fun, you must also make sure you focus on defense. In the end, it’s defense that consistently wins you games. Offense is often what gets the glory, but most winning basketball teams play great defense.

Paying Attention

TIP! Make layups a part of your daily practice regimen. Layup shots make up nearly 80% of a game’s shots.

When dribbling the basketball you should keep your head up. You should never be looking at the basketball while dribbling. Take you ball with you everywhere. You can practice dribbling when you have to walk to the store. Paying attention to the ball means you’re not paying attention to the rest of the game.

TIP! A good tip about passing is try doing it without dribbling the ball. It is hard to play with no dribbling, but it will help your team make great passes.

Practice your passes and catches frequently. When you practice, mix it up so that you can catch perfect passes and errant throws. During the game, not all passes will go where they’re intended. Therefore, learn how to catch any type of pass so that you can help lead your team to victory.

TIP! When it is not basketball season, keep in practice by shooting baskets and practicing your skills. These skills all help with muscle memory so you know just what to do when you’re playing in a game.

Don’t pump too much iron if you plan on being a jump shooter. You do need muscle conditioning and strength, but you can have too much when it comes to shooting field goals. As a shooting guard, having bulky arm muscles can actually reduce the number of successful shots.

TIP! If you have a child who has expressed interest in becoming a basketball player in high school, make sure he trains his core muscles. Focus on hips, lower back and abs.

Keeping your fingers spread wide is important for holding onto the ball. This will help you keep a better grip on the ball. You should avoid having your palm touching the ball. Fingers need to be the only thing that touches the ball when you shoot it or pass it.

TIP! Good footwork remains a vital part of basketball. Securing a good location is critical when playing basketball.

During your workouts, concentrate on improving your footwork as well as your core strength. With a stronger core, you’ll be able to balance better. Strengthen you back muscles along with abs, hips and buttocks. To help get even quicker and have better footwork you can jump rope.

TIP! In order to handle the ball correctly, spread your fingers out. This can help you avoid losing it when you hold it.

One thing to consider if your shooting percentage drops is that your shoulders may be inconsistent when you are shooting. If you do not have your shoulders positioned properly, you will not make the shot. Shoulders should be towards the hoop. Line up your shooting shoulder with the rim as well.

TIP! During your workouts, concentrate on improving your footwork as well as your core strength. When you have strong core muscles, your body will be better balanced and will move faster.

You want to always be aware of foot placement and what you’re doing. Just touching the baseline is going to get you called out of bounds. If you walk without dribbling, you will be called for walking and this will result in a turnover. Also, when you’re moving your feet when a screen is being set, you can take a charge or pick to try and get a foul.

TIP! If you experience a slump in your scoring and shooting, your shoulders may be the cause of the problem. When you’re in a shooting slump it usually means that your shoulders are not square to the hoop.

Get someone to analyze how you play on tape. You should be able to see what you missed or can do better. You can use this information to improve your game. Sometimes you have to face reality about your skills and just not dream about how you want to be.

TIP! Build a consistent routine for your free throws. If you aren’t consistent, you will find that your shooting is off.

To avoid turning the ball over to the other team, make sure that you’re dribbling hard. This causes the ball to return to your hand more quickly, so the offense has less time to try to get it away from you. When someone is right on top of you, pass the ball instead of dribbling.

TIP! Drills should be done where you attempt to get your basketball up the court within five dribbles or even less than that. While this is a challenging goal, working toward it will make you a much better player.

Are you now ready with answers to your biggest basketball questions? Are you prepared to get on the court and start playing? Is becoming an amazing player on the horizon for you now? Get out there and begin practicing while putting these tips into practice so you can reap the rewards.