TIP! 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. Defense can make or break a basketball game.

Basketball is pretty easy to play and quite a few people play it worldwide. All players contribute different skills to the team. If you need to improve some of your skills, keep reading for tips to help you do just that.

TIP! You need good balance when you shoot. Sometimes you’ll see professional players fall out of bounds while making a shot from afar, but this doesn’t work at all times.

Your balance is an important aspect to consider when you are shooting. Your knees should be bent with your feet slightly wider than your shoulders. They are not doing it right. When you shoot, you should always be properly balanced, which will help you make more baskets more consistently.

TIP! Make sure that you practice your layups frequently. Layups sometimes wind up being 4 out of every 5 shots in basketball.

Keep your skills sharp in the off-season by playing different challenging games. Even though basketball is usually played with teams, it is sometimes the case that there just isn’t anyone around to play with. Don’t fret! Solo games can help you immensely. Work on free throws or practice pivot moves. This will help improve the hard parts of your game.

TIP! Are you interested in being able to fool the other team? The back pass is just the thing! Use your dominant hand to palm the basketball. With that same hand, bring the ball around your back.

Bad passes can be avoided with the right hand signals. It is very frustrating when a teammate isn’t open for the perfect pass. Hand signals can help you communicate with your teammate on the court. Without a signal, there shouldn’t be a pass.

TIP! Never play through an injury when playing basketball. Basketball is challenging physical sport and you can get injured.

Your fingers should always be spread out when handling the ball. That makes sure that you don’t lose the ball when you hold it. Don’t let your palm touch the ball either. Fingers should be the only point of contact as you pass or shoot the ball at its target.

TIP! Ask your fellow teammates if they have an opinion of your skills in the game. Do you have an area where you excel? Perhaps you have an excellent understanding of defensive strategies or you are the fastest player on your team.

If the other team has a good defense, passing the ball between your legs is a good option. Refine this skill by bouncing a ball with force between the legs while stepping backwards or forwards. This is a tricky move, but it will provide you a good advantage when you play.

TIP! Always be aware of where you have your feet and what you are going to do with them next. Stepping even a toe on the baseline with the ball in your hands means you are out of bounds.

In order to be successful with layups, the foot that is opposite from shooting hand is the one you should take off from. When shooting right-handed, take off using the left foot. That way, the body stays balanced while it moves toward the hoop.

TIP! The best free throws come as a result of routine. That could include a set number of dribbles, knee-bends or some other type of movement.

Practicing with your weak hand will help to make you a better dribbler. Utilizing both hands to dribble the basketball and switching effortlessly is key to advantage over an opponent. Tie your dominant hand behind your back and force yourself only to use your weak hand. Very soon, you will develop dribbling skills with the hand you considered weak.

TIP! Look away when you practice passing. This will confuse your opponents.

If an opponent charges at you, let him run into you. Taking charges gives you an opportunity to get defensive stops, get the ball and lay the groundwork for fouls. This may completely break the competition down.

TIP! To make your layups count the most, take off from the foot opposite your shooting hand. So, if you shoot using your left hand, launch with your right foot.

The first step when dribbling is to bend at your knees instead of standing straight-legged. The farther the ball has to bounce, the less control you will have of it. A bit of a bend will boost your control.

TIP! Dribble hard to avoid ball stealing. This means you get the ball back from your opponent faster.

To improve your perimeter shooting, it is important to practice every day from various spots on the court. You can get even better if you practice dribbling and pulling up quickly for a shot. Once in the air, keep an eye on the target. But, be sure not to look at it beforehand. You will increase your level of accuracy and create an experience closer to real game play.

TIP! In order to help develop your non-dominant hand, you should use that hand only when trying to open things, and also when brushing your teeth. The more dextrous you become with it in your daily life, the better able you will be to control it.

Switch your body’s weight from side to side while practicing your dribbling. Basketball games are fast and you will encounter different scenarios while dribbling. The court might be wide open, but you could just as easily be swarmed by many opponents. You must know how to dribble effectively by leaning your body in both directions. It will help you when you need it most.

TIP! To improve 3 point shooting, practice from NBA distance, at least. The line in every other league is closer.

Keep all motion below the knees if possible. Doing this makes it more difficult for members of the opposing team to steal the ball from you. This takes some stooping and bending, but just move quickly down the court as you thwart the opposition.

TIP! If you’re determined to do good at basketball, then you have to watch your diet. Increase your intake of carbohydrates to boost energy levels.

Do exercises that will assist you in becoming a better player. Running, both sprints and long distance, can help your game. Lifting weights can build the muscle you need for shots and the hustle of the game. Practicing will also build your confidence when shooting.

TIP! If a shooter is located at a corner, their missed attempt is likely to waft to the opposite side. If that happens, you can guess the place where it will go and manage to get the rebound.

If someone shoots from the corner of the basketball court and misses, it will bounce over the net onto the opposite side. Anticipate where the ball lands and grab the rebound.

TIP! Create a team environment that is tough on the court and off of it. When a basketball team gels fully, their game can reach entirely new heights.

It is necessary for you to change the path of your opponent. Whether you are playing defense or offense, controlling the movements of your opponents is vital. By doing this you will be able to go wherever you want on the court without their interference.

TIP! You don’t want to double dribble while on the court. That happens when you stop one time, and start again in a few seconds.

Be careful not to double-dribble. To keep from double dribbling, simply refrain from starting to dribble a second time after you have already stopped dribbling once in that same possession. When you stop dribbling, the only two choices you have are to shoot or pass. You’re not allowed to start dribbling again. That is also referred to as a turnover, and the ref will call it for your opponent.

TIP! When you’ve got the ball, you must know when to take a shot, and then when you should pass it to another player who’s got a better shot. Instead of hogging the ball and losing the game when you fail to make the shot, be a team player and pass it off to the player who has the better chance to make the winning shot.

Anyone who plays basketball wants to hone certain skills to improve their game. After reading the advice here, you should know what needs to be done to improve your game. Reread the article, if you feel it necessary, but the most important thing to do is to never cease practicing the techniques and tips within this article.