TIP! Make sure that you’re dribbling the ball correctly. You need to use the tips of your fingers rather than your hand’s palm when you are dribbling.

Learning more about basketball is something ever player or fan of the sport should do. Know nothing about the game? Don’t worry, you’ll get there. It’s easy to learn basketball. Keep reading to learn more about this wonderful game.

TIP! To be a great basketball player you need to work on your balance. Everyone has seen professional basketball players make a shot from 20 feet away as they are falling.

It’s simple to want to work on offense when you’re getting into basketball, but it’s smarter to think about defense practice too. Many times, defense actually wins the game. While offense seems to get the praise, defense must be stellar in order to win.

TIP! You have to know how to bounce pass properly. This means your pass should be aimed towards the receiving player at the level of his waist.

Want to make the other team not know what’s going on? Give the back pass a try! To accomplish this pass, grasp the ball using your dominant hand. Next, pull the ball behind your back. The last step is to flick your wrist in the direction you want the ball to move. This is a very useful trick to confuse the opposing team.

TIP! One way to help improve your overall basketball skills is to spend some time watching what the pros do. Get tickets to some pro games, if possible, or catch some games on television.

It is best to take a break if you sustain an injury while playing. It’s a challenging sport that’s very physical, and you have the ability to get injured. Pushing through the pain often results in a more serious injury. Serious injuries may require medical attention.

TIP! Your child should work on their core muscles if they want to become a basketball player in high school. The core is the following areas: abdominal muscles, lower back muscles and hip muscles.

You need to be quick to be good at basketball. Try playing faster than the opponents for a better advantage. If you want to play the game fast, you need to drill continuously. However, you should not attempt to play any faster than your abilities permit. If you play too quickly, you lose control over the ball and the match.

TIP! If you are posting up, strategic footwork is important to becoming open and making a good shot. While physical positioning is important, it is even more essential to move quicker than an opponent.

Watch tapes of yourself playing basketball to get a more objective perspective. You may see things differently as you observe the game and notice things you missed in the game. You can use this information to improve your game. Seeing yourself realistically can be a great way to make changes in a positive direction.

TIP! Find out what your teammates like most about how you play? Can you get better at something? Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will allow you to develop your skills to become an all around better player. Discover what other people feel are your strongest skills and then set about perfecting them.

Passing between the legs is great when you are being closely guarded. Refine this skill by bouncing a ball with force between the legs while stepping backwards or forwards. If you can master this move, it will give you quite the advantage when you are on the court.

TIP! Get into a consistent routine to improve your free throw shots. If you are inconsistent then your shot will be off.

Try practicing how to pass while looking in another direction. Doing this is a great way to confuse your opponents. When done properly, this technique distracts the opposition and gives your pass recipient a chance to focus on the basket. If you can master this move, it can really work in your favor.

TIP! You should ensure that you can clearly see. This isn’t just for reading the score, but for catching passes and making shots.

To increase the efficiency of your layups, begin your takeoff on the foot opposite from the hand you’re shooting with. This will allow you to shoot with your comfortable hand. Doing this lets you maintain balance and movement towards the goal, while keeping your body in between your defender and your shot.

TIP! Alternating your pace is critical to keeping the defense guessing. When running towards the net, step on your front foot, and start to straighten up your body.

Practice dribbling with both hands, dribble on both sides of your body and learn to dribble in front of you while taking large strides. You will be able to get past your opponent more easily if you can use either hand to dribble the ball. You can focus on the strength of your weak hand by tying your dominant hand behind your back. Very soon, you will develop dribbling skills with the hand you considered weak.

TIP! When you dribble while playing basketball, focus on bending your knees. When you are rigid, the ball is not only hard to control, it is also an easier target for a rival to steal.

It doesn’t seem so hard right? After taking in the above article you should be aware of the incredible amount of joy it brings to people. You can use the information you got in this article to gain game perfection, or you can just perfect your television tuning skills so you can observe the pros in action.