TIP! Make sure you learn how to shoot free throws. This kind of shot seems easy, but it really is not.

The sport of basketball is so much more than a casual game here and there. It is possible to play the game anywhere, including on your lawn or at a court at the park. If you love basketball, this content allows you to perfect your game.

TIP! Practice your bounce pass. If done correctly, a well-executed bounce pass will reach the player in a way that allows them to move immediately with the ball.

Figure out how to perfect your free throw. It seems easy to do but surely isn’t. Practice often using the following technique. Begin by holding the ball directly in front of your face. Maintain focus on the basket and try to visualize your basketball falling through the hoop. Next, take your shot seeing the ball move in the trajectory you envisaged for it.

TIP! Free throws are mental as well as physical. It’s easy to physically train for a free throw, yet mental preparation is also needed.

To get better in your basketball game, focus on your strengths. The best talent you have isn’t going to have you starring in every highlight reel, but having a good skill set can benefit your team. Figure out what you do well at and then you can practice that until you perfect it.

Bounce Pass

TIP! When developing your jumping skills, limit your use of weight-training. Muscle strength can be great for basketball players, but it is actually possible to have excessive amounts for playing on the perimeter.

Perfect your bounce pass. It needs to get to the player at their waist. Letting the ball bounce close to the other person will help the accuracy of your pass. Practicing your bounce pass is important so that you can use it skillfully during games.

TIP! How would you like to trick the opposing team? Trick them using a back pass. To properly perform this pass you will need to have the ball in your dominant hand.

Lifting weights too much can actually take away from your jump shot. Being weighed down by too much bulky muscle can have a negative impact on your jump shot. Some pro shooting guards make their arms large enough to decrease their own field goal percentage.

TIP! Play solo basketball in the months leading up to the season, as well as during the season itself. You may not always be able to find someone to play with you.

Before, during and after the season, play out games by yourself. Even though you play on a team, practicing alone can be helpful. For concentration purposes, it can be good to practice on your own. You can accomplish a lot by practicing alone. You can practice many different techniques, such as your free throw routine. This will help improve the hard parts of your game.

TIP! When posting up, solid footwork is essential to getting yourself into position to shoot. Being physical under the rim is crucial, but having good positioning on the court is even better.

Ask your fellow team members which of your skills that they admire. Are you skilled at something? Perhaps you have good dribbling skills or maybe your footwork is enviable. Find out what your strong points are in the eyes of others. This way you can develop your most valuable skills.

TIP! Never turn away from the ball, so that you can always stay ready for anything. You must always be prepared to receive a pass and you need to know where players are on the court.

One good way to always be ready for whatever happens on the court is to never turn your back on the ball. You have to be aware of what is going on with the ball at all times. Keep an eye open for easy shots.

TIP! Understand your opponent. Pay attention to how they play.

If you wish to dribble the ball better, you have to start using your hand that’s considered the weak one. When you are ambidextrous, you’ll be a better player. To help develop your weaker hand, avoid using your dominant hand. Soon enough you will develop those weak hand dribbling skills.

TIP! When trying to improve your strength to have better basketball footwork, work on building up your core. Your body will be more stable and easier to move when you have strength in your core muscles.

A good basketball drill to perform is to see if you can get the ball down the entire court in 5 or less dribbles. While this is a challenging goal, working toward it will make you a much better player. This can mean easy lay-ups on fast breaks, or just give your team numbers for a moment.

TIP! Be sly on your soles to catch rebounds from free-throws your own team members are making. You’ll have a defender coming at you and this means you have to figure out what can be done to get around them.

Keep your knees loose when you dribble the ball. If you don’t bend your knees, you are more susceptible to having the ball stolen by the other team. You will gain a lot of ball control by bending your knees just a bit.

TIP! Dribble the ball hard to keep it from being stolen. This makes the ball come back to you faster so the people on defense aren’t able to steal it as easily.

It is important that you remain in control of the ball despite which way your body is going. During game time, you’ll find yourself dribbling from all sorts of positions. You might have a truly open court, but you might also be dealing with an onslaught of opposition. You have to figure out how you can dribble while you’re working with your body leaning. This will help you maneuver around trouble.

TIP! To help make the offense flow better it is a good idea to alter the pace. When you’re moving towards the net, act like you’re going to straighten up.

Make sure your off-court exercise is appropriate to help your on-court game. You can run longer distances to build up stamina. To build speed, try doing wind sprints. Both are necessary for playing good ball. Working out with weights helps to improve your muscles and the physical part of the game. This will also help you build confidence, a key aspect of performing well in any sport.

TIP! Until the moment you are prepared to shoot or pass, you must dribble constantly. When you cease dribbling, you’re really limiting your options.

Work on taking shots from various on-court locations. The first thing to do is to practice on your balance and your grip. You’re much more accurate if you are balanced well. Use the valve on the basketball to perfect your grip. Spread the fingers of your dominant hand and put the center of your hand over the valve located at the center of the basketball.

TIP! A good way to improve your game is by finding out from your teammates what they plan to do. You need a team to play basketball.

Where you are ahead of and post-rebound will determine your success. Jump with both feet for improved power and balance and retrieve the ball with both hands. You will have a better chance of keeping possession of the ball by keeping it close and landing in a balanced position.

TIP! Practice all types of shots while in different distances and angles. Balance and grip are the first two things to practice.

If you are aware that the player with the ball has a weak hand, force the use of that hand. Use your body position to make the opponent move in a direction that is not as strong. Stay low and be prepared to block a shot or intercept a pass.

TIP! Foster a strong team camaraderie both on the court and off. Great basketball games happen when teams work together.

A zone defense can be beat by using a penetrating dribble. This can help you to break up the defense. If you think you can make the shot, then go for it. However, if one of your teammates is wide open then quickly pass them the ball for an easier shot.

TIP! To succeed in basketball you should learn how to change the path of your opponent. Whether you are playing defense or offense, controlling the movements of your opponents is vital.

When you’re working out, you should jot down what needs to get done. A lot of players practice without a workout plan. Instead of practicing, they talk to friends and goof off. By planning out your regimen, you make it easier to keep your eyes on the prize during your workouts.

TIP! Be aware of your shortcomings as a player. It’s important to be honest when it comes to your weaknesses.

No matter if you’re playing competitive basketball or just a friendly game of horse, improving your basketball skill-set can make the game much more enjoyable. Now that you have read these tips, it is time to take the next step and make use of them. Your playing style will improve with the more knowledge that you learn.