TIP! Focusing on the offense may come easily but you need to be able to focus on the defense as well., Defense is what keep the other team from scoring.

Now is the time to begin finding out more about basketball. Maybe you are a player, or you just love to watch the sport. However, you aren’t aware of everything, and all players know that. So, maybe this article can teach you a thing or two. Read on to learn more about what you can do to become a better player and a more useful part of your team.

TIP! Be sure to dribble correctly every time. Finger tips, not palms, are the key to successful dribbling.

Learn the best way to make your free throws. This seems like an easy shot, but it is quite hard. You should practice as often as possible with this technique. Begin by bringing the ball up to eye level. Then, look at the ball and visualize it going in the basket. Then, shoot the ball using the trajectory you pictured.

TIP! Any good basketball player needs to know how to make a layup. Layups comprise approximately 80 percent of all shots.

Don’t dribble during your drills. This helps to develop passing skills with your teammates, making it much more difficult if you’re standing in one spot and not dribbling. Don’t get discouraged if it is hard initially’ because the gains you will make are sure to be worthwhile.

TIP! Learn how to throw a proper bounce pass. Bounce passes should not go above or below the receiving players waist.

You need to mess with your opponent’s head. Getting them to do things they aren’t accustomed to doing is ideal. Execute aggressive moves. Do not let them choose the plays to make. If you allow this to happen, your opponent will have the upper hand. You should make the initial move and throw them off.

TIP! Need to dupe the opposition? Trick them using a back pass. To do this pass, hold on to the ball with your dominant hand.

Try to strengthen your forearms and hands to better handle the ball. Try doing some wrist curls as they are particularly effective in honing your dribble skills. Don’t think you can just go somewhere on the court, catch a ball and then make a successful shot. While this does happen on occasion, you should be moving in order to execute the play.

TIP! Practice playing by yourself. These skills all help with muscle memory so you know just what to do when you’re playing in a game.

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. This helps give your team the advantage, and allows you to drive the center.

TIP! If you have a kid that wants to play basketball in high school, be sure they’re working on their core muscles. This is the hip area, the lower back, and the abs.

You should ensure that you can clearly see. This isn’t just for reading the score, but for catching passes and making shots. Your peripheral vision should be at its best. Having good court awareness to see everything around you lets you see plays develop before they happen, either by warding off the defenders or getting the ball to open teammates.

TIP! When working out, focus on building your core strength and perfecting your footwork. This allows your body to be in balance and be more explosive on the court.

Never break your defensive stance when playing ball. You can shuffle your feet to either side, or push with your opposing foot, so you will be ready and in position. Never cross your feet and your opponents will find you a difficult player.

TIP! Always have an awareness of the location and movement of your feet. Stepping ever so slightly out of bounds while you have the ball can cause an overturn.

Maintain a lower position as you play defense. This helps you jump fast and react quickly. Stay in your defensive stance. If you need to leave your feet in order to prevent your opponent from shooting the ball, quickly get back into that good defensive position.

TIP! To become a great free thrower, practice and develop a routine you will use during each shot. You could dribble twice, touch your forehead, bend your knees, or some other kinds of movements.

Shoot from NBA distances to see your three-point skills improve. The line in every other league is closer. If you make your shots from where the NBA players shoot, you will improve your skills and increase your range.

TIP! Never break your defensive stance as this will assure you are in your proper position for defense. You need to learn how to slide your feet instead of crossing one foot in front of the other.

Create a barrier between the ball and your opponent with the hand you are not using for dribbling. However, you’re not actually going to push with this hand; instead, you’re going to separate yourself using this hand. Hold your arm slightly elevated as you dribble with the opposite hand.

TIP! Stay low and dribble the ball below the level of your knees. In this way, opposing team members will have difficulty stealing the ball.

It’s time to take everything you’ve learned and use that enthusiasm to make improvements. It is wonderful to learn new things and have them work. Keep these tips in mind as you practice and play. Basketball truly is a thrill.