TIP! Free throw practice is vitally important. These shots may seem easy, but they can be quite difficult.

Basketball was created by Dr. James Naismith in the year 1891. Since that time, it’s exploded into a beloved sport by many. People of all ages love the sport of basketball. It then went from him to Magic Johnson to make the best players into celebrities. This article will give you some tips to help you play like the pros.

TIP! Crossing over is a vital skill to have for handling the basketball. Switch from one side to the other while dribbling.

It’s natural to be drawn towards offense as a novice, but the pros know defense is where the game is won or lost. Basketball games are won with a good defense. While everyone focuses on shots made, a good defense can kill the chances of even an amazing shot taker.

Shooting Free Throws

TIP! In order to help you improve your basketball acumen you should watch how the pros play. Watch pro games on TV, or attend games in person.

Practice shooting free throws. There are usually a lot of distractions when you are shooting free throws so you need to concentrate. This technique should be practiced often if possible. Start by holding your ball before your face. Eye the basket and imagine the ball swishing down into it. Shoot the ball how you imagine it going in.

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

Look forward and hold your head up while you dribble the ball. Anyone who watching the ball while they dribble surely needs to spend more time in the gym practicing. One of the best ways to improve your dribbling is to bring your ball along anytime you need to walk somewhere. Dribble on your way to school. Remember, if you are directly staring at the ball, there’s no way for you to see what’s happening on the court.

TIP! Do you want to fool the other team? Back passes can give your team the opportunity to score while the other team is still wondering what happened. To accomplish this pass, grasp the ball using your dominant hand.

Learn how to block out movement, noise and other distractions when taking a free throw. You must train both your body and your mind. Take a deep breath, relax and imagine you are at practice to help yourself make the shot.

TIP! Good footwork is essential to escaping coverage and putting yourself in position to take a shot when you are posting up. Although it’s important to have a physical presence underneath the basket, it’s more important that you get in a good place before your opponent can.

A good tip about passing is try doing it without dribbling the ball. Playing basketball without dribbling is very challenging, but your entire team will quickly improve their passing skills. Keep your emotions in check if quality passing is not happening right away as it takes time to perfect this part of the game.

TIP! A great way to stay prepared at all times is to always face the ball. That will keep you aware, so you don’t get surprised by turnovers or quick passes.

Would you like to pull one over on the other team? Back passes can give your team the opportunity to score while the other team is still wondering what happened. To accomplish this pass, grasp the ball using your dominant hand. Then, put the ball around your back. Flip your wrist towards the site where you want the ball to go. This is a good way to trick your opponents.

Strong Core

TIP! One of the most vital attributes one needs to play basketball is quickness. Speeding up the temp allows you to out-quick your opponent.

Basketball players need to build strong core muscles. That means their hips, lower back and abs. A core that is not strong enough limits the linkage between arms and legs. A solid and strong core lets force that comes from the legs get used for beneficial movements when playing, like faster running and higher jumping.

TIP! Video tape your games, and then review your technique later. On tape, you can see all the opportunities you passed and how things could have gone better.

When an injury occurs while you are playing ball, don’t keep playing with pain. It’s a challenging sport that’s very physical, and you have the ability to get injured. Trying to play while injured will just make your situation worse. If you have a very serious injury, talk to a doctor.

TIP! To get a rebound of a free throw that one of your teammates is taking, you need to be sly with your feet. As you see the defender moving in, quickly slip around to grab the ball.

Have your team mates critique your playing skills. Are you great at any one thing? Perhaps you have an excellent understanding of defensive strategies or you are the fastest player on your team. Learn what the other people around you see while you are playing and it may open your eyes to new areas for practice.

TIP! You need good vision if you are going to play basketball. This isn’t just for reading the score, but for catching passes and making shots.

As you perform your fitness routine, make it a point to target your core and your footwork. Your body will naturally balance well if you have strong core muscles. Focus on your hip, abdomen, and back muscles. Similar to boxers, jumping rope can better your speed and footwork.

TIP! Take charges whenever possible. When you do that, you can earn defensive stops, get the ball back, and set up foul shots against the other team.

When you’re practicing passing, try to look the other way. It can be very confusing to your opponents. When you do it right, the opponents are going to think you’re moving in one direction. That way, the person you’ve given the ball to has a bit of time to look at the net to taking a shot. When done smoothly it can be a game changer.

TIP! Do not release your defensive stance. Use a shuffling side to side motion to ensure you are in position.

A consistent routine will help you to achieve great free throws. If you don’t have one, your accuracy may suffer. Free throw shooting is best improved by lengthy sessions of repetitive practice. If the routine is off in any way, then you’ll miss the shot.

TIP! You can strengthen you weaker hand by using it as much as possible, for instance open jars or even brush your teeth. The more dextrous you become with it in your daily life, the better able you will be to control it.

Practice dribbling with both hands, dribble on both sides of your body and learn to dribble in front of you while taking large strides. Dribbling with both hands helps you gain the upper one. Force yourself to not use your stronger hand. Eventually, your weak hand will be able to dribble well.

TIP! Many shots from the court corner end up sailing right over the basket. Figure out where it will land to grab the rebound.

Hoops that are 10 feet tall, courts that are comparable to the length of football fields, and 10 players are all that’s needed for playing regulation basketball. A thorough understanding is critical in order to play with skill. The tips here will help, but continue reading to find out as much as you can.