Basketball is a sport loved by millions and played all over the globe. To some it is an obsession. A team needs to be good if they want the support of their fans. Every teammate contributes, so taking time to figure out your skills can help you better your game. Start practicing today. These tips help you be on a winning team.

When you’re passing the ball, make sure that you pass the ball to the location of where the person should be headed. You don’t want your pass to be the reason a person needs to slow down or double back. Your pass should be aimed for a little bit in front of the person that you are passing to.

When you are practicing your shooting, take the practice shots you would attempt during the game. You are rarely going to be open for long enough to get your feet planted and line up the shot, so shoot on the move. Practice off dribble and shooting while moving for better results at game time.

One of the first things you need to learn when it comes to basketball is how to guard the ball. To help develop the skills needed for this, ask your friends for a friendly game of basketball. Invite some players who are skilled to teach you how to guard the ball.

Make sure you learn how to shoot free throws. This is something that seems simple, but in reality it can be hard. Practice a lot with the following method. Begin by holding the ball directly in front of your face. Keep looking towards the goal and think about the ball getting into that goal. Next, take your shot seeing the ball move in the trajectory you envisaged for it.

When you are dribbling the ball, be sure that you are doing so with your head up. If you have your eyes on the ball instead while you are dribbling it, you cannot keep an eye on those defending you. This could lead to them stealing the ball away from you.

When learning to dribble, you need to learn to dribble with both hands. This is important because you may have to switch hands when dribbling during a game. Also, learn to dribble behind your back and between an opponent’s legs. This may seem silly, but you may actually use this technique.

Be sure to watch professional games to learn some great tips and tricks to improve your game. You can do this by watching games in person and on television. Every player has skills that make them good, and you can work on the skills they use.

It is not always necessary to dribble the ball. In fact, you should only dribble it when it is part of your play. For instance, you will want to dribble the ball when you are trying to get the ball up the court, to get in a position for passing, or to get the defense off you.

Knowing how to handle the basketball is an important step in becoming a good player. Work hard to perfect your dribble with your weaker hand. The ability to dribble the ball well with both hands will keep opponents guessing. When you are able to take off dribbling to the right or the left, opponents will have a hard time predicting where you will go.

If the opposing team is breathing down your neck, it’s a good idea to pass the ball between your legs. You can practice this technique by stepping forward or backward and bouncing the ball with force between your legs. If you can master this move, it will give you quite the advantage when you are on the court.

To develop an accurate shooting stroke, put your dominant hand under the ball and use your other hand on the side of the ball, as a guide. If you develop this consistency, you will be able to follow through with your shooting hand and get a high, looping arc that is more likely to go through the hoop.

When it comes to making the shot, the key is to hold the ball the right way. Practice makes perfect, so hold your hands like they are claws and space out your fingers. Hold the ball with your fingers, not your palm. Hold the ball in your hand while watching TV to build your muscles.

To be a strong defender, you must have the ability to disrupt and interfere with the opponents’ plans. Force them to leave their comfort zone. The more aggressive you are the better. Don’t allow them to control the match. If you allow this to happen, your opponent will have the upper hand. Make your moves first and end their patterns.

In order to play basketball you need to have good legs and be free from injuries. Unfortunately many people who play basketball develop injuries to their ankles. You can prevent these injuries by getting yourself a good pair of basketball shoes. Although they are pricier these days, it’s well worth it if you want to prevent those horrible ankle injuries.

As this article has shown you, you can improve the game you play in many ways. When a player is better, their team is better, which in turn means fans are happier. From the concession stand cashiers to the referees, everyone plays an important role in the game of basketball. In basketball, it’s important to play as a team. Remember these tips to become that player that is wanted on all teams.