TIP! A lot of novice players mostly focus on their offensive skills, but developing good defensive skills will help you become a better player. Defense ultimately determines the winner of a game of basketball.

A great thing about the game of basketball is that the basics are easy to learn. You can pick them up after just a minute or two. This advice helps you further your basketball skills.

TIP! Dribble while your head is up and your eyes are forward. Anyone who watching the ball while they dribble surely needs to spend more time in the gym practicing.

Learn the best way to make your free throws. That’s a shot that appears simple but is actually difficult in reality. Practice often using the following technique. Put your weaker hand in front of the ball and center your stronger hand over the air valve in the basketball. Look at the basket and imagine the ball going in it. Then shoot! Shoot the ball in the trajectory you imagined.

TIP! To be a better basketball player you should concentrate on the things that make you great. Your team will benefit more if you stop trying to be the star of the game and work your best.

Practice your bounce pass. If done properly, the pass will land near waist level with the opposite player. A good estimation is to target the ball to bounce at about 3/4 of the distance that the receiving player is. But, there are some factors that can change this.

TIP! Constantly practice layups. Almost 80% of shots will be layups.

Free throws are mental as well as physical. It’s easy to physically train for a free throw, yet mental preparation is also needed. Relax and focus on the basket; this will help you succeed.

TIP! Bounce passes are extremely efficient when done properly. Executed properly, a bounce pass will connect with the receiving player at the waist.

Practice the skill of pass catching. When you practice, mix it up so that you can catch perfect passes and errant throws. During a hectic game, every throw is not going to be perfect. By learning to catch errant passes, you will do your team a great favor.

TIP! Children who aspire to become great basketball players in high school must engage in physical fitness activities that focus on the core muscles. The core is the following areas: abdominal muscles, lower back muscles and hip muscles.

How would you like to trick the opposing team? The back pass is just the thing! To start, grab the ball using your good hand. Keep control of the ball while it is behind your back. Lastly, flick your wrist in the direction that you want the ball to land. Doing this will trick your opponent.

TIP! If you post up, you need to use good footwork to get open and make sure you get a good shot. Although a strong presence in the key is important, beating your opponent to good spots on the floor is more important.

Prior to basketball season, and even during it, you can play solo games. Sometimes you cannot find a team of people to play basketball with. Don’t fret! You can accomplish a lot by practicing alone. Maybe work on those free throws or practice your pivoting. You can always work on something.

TIP! Basketball players must be fast. You need to be faster than the opposing team if you want the advantage.

To make sure there are no errant passes, use hand signals. It is very frustrating when a teammate isn’t open for the perfect pass. These common miscommunications can be avoided by utilizing hand signals, which tells the passing player the other player is ready for a pass. If the signal is absent, do not pass to that player.

TIP! Using a weaker hand helps improve overall dribbling skills. You will be able to get past your opponent more easily if you can use either hand to dribble the ball.

If you become injured when playing basketball, stop immediately. Basketball is very challenging physically, and this can cause further serious injury. Trying to tough it out and keep playing, even if you are experiencing discomfort, can exacerbate an injury even more. If you are seriously injured, obtain medical care.

TIP! Workout to increase flexibility and strength in your hands and forearms. Curling your wrists also help you improve your own dribbling.

Try practicing how to pass while looking in another direction. This is a simple thing that could easily confuse your opponents. If you do this fake the right way, then the receiver of the pass should have an advantage and a great look at the goal. It’s quite a play when done properly.

TIP! Can you see well? This isn’t just so you can read the scoreboard and be able to make shots and catch passes. Your peripheral vision should be up to par.

Make your forearms and hands stronger so you can handle the ball better. Wrist curls can work good if you wish to start handling the ball like you’re able to dribble in any situation. You will not be able to stand in one place and shoot. Strength and flexibility in your hands will allow you to move the ball more gracefully and swiftly.

TIP! You need to take charge when the opportunity presents itself. When you do that, you can earn defensive stops, get the ball back, and set up foul shots against the other team.

Try to keep the ball in your line of sight at all times. This isn’t just so you can read the scoreboard and be able to make shots and catch passes. Your peripheral vision needs to be as strong as possible. It allows you to view the game as a whole rather than simply watching the ball. In this way, you can be aware of the players around you.

TIP! Keep low when you play defense. This will help you be quicker on the jump and react to the man in front of you easier.

Maybe you’ve only recently learned basketball. Perhaps you have played the game ever since you were that wee tyke on the court. Regardless of your personal circumstances, this article should help you up your game. Use this information the very next time you play.