TIP! Work on pass catches. When practicing make sure you drill yourself to catch errant throws as well as picture perfect passes.

Basketball has been watched and played for many years. Focusing your attention on your skills goes a long way toward making you a more effective player. Don’t stop reading just yet because the following article is going to provide you with a few important pieces of basketball advice.

TIP! Don’t dribble during your drills. It is hard to play a game when you don’t dribble, but it will help you to be sure that everyone is passing accurately.

Free throws are an excellent skill to practice in your spare time. As easy as these shots may seem, they are rather hard. Use good technique when shooting foul shots. Start with the ball ahead of your face. Picture yourself going through the shot in your mind, with the ball sinking through the net. Bend your knees to control the arc of the ball.

TIP! Prior to basketball season, and even during it, you can play solo games. Basketball is a multiple player sport, but other people won’t always be around.

Successful free throwing requires as much mental skill as it does physical skill. Training your body is important, but you also have to be mentally ready for the shot. Relax as you focus on making the shot, and soon you’ll be making more free throws.

Practice Catching Passes

TIP! When injuries occur on the court, it is unwise to keep on playing. The sport of basketball is very physical, which makes one susceptible to injury.

Practice catching passes often. You want to practice catching perfect passes and bad passes. When a game is underway, not every throw will be perfect. Therefore, it pays to practice catching passes that are a bit off-target.

TIP! Keep your eye on the ball. This provides court awareness and prevents you from unexpected turnovers or quick passes.

In order to get a good shot, you must use good footwork. Focus on positioning yourself more quickly than the opposing player is just as important as having someone beneath the hoop. If you are just stepping into position, you now have to secure the spot. Good solid footwork will help you develop the skills you need for success.

TIP! If the other team has a good defense, passing the ball between your legs is a good option. Go forwards and backwards with the ball to practice bouncing it.

If you’re injured in a basketball game, don’t attempt to play while in pain. Basketball is hard to play well even when you are healthy, so don’t push it. You may injure yourself more if you continue to play with an injury. Don’t hesitate to see the doctor if you feel the injury warrants it.

TIP! It is important that you can clearly see everything that is occurring during a game. This isn’t just for reading the scoreboard.

Try practicing looking in the opposite direction when you pass. Doing this is a great way to confuse your opponents. If you’re doing it correctly you can fake your opponent out so he/she moves towards that direction and then you pass the ball to a wide open teammate for a shot. Practicing this pass can really help to give your team the winning edge.

TIP! Keep your knees loose when you dribble the ball. If you don’t bend your knees, you are more susceptible to having the ball stolen by the other team.

In order to be successful with layups, the foot that is opposite from shooting hand is the one you should take off from. Practice shooting using your right hand, then jump off your left foot. This helps to maintain balance throughout your body and allows you to use yourself as a barrier between the defender and yourself.

TIP! The hand not used to dribble the ball should serve as a wall separating the ball from the opposing players. You can’t push with that arm, but it can serve as an obstacle that helps keep your opponent from reaching in.

Take charge when the opportunity presents itself. Letting the other guy run into you stops the game without having to use a time out, and adds another four to the opponent’s total. This can be devastating to the other team.

TIP! Practice all kinds of shots from every court location. The first thing to do is to practice on your balance and your grip.

If you want to stay in a good defensive position, simply avoid breaking out of your defensive stance. Use a shuffling side to side motion to ensure you are in position. Don’t allow your feet to cross, and this will make you a hard defender to beat.

TIP! You need to be able to alter your opponents path. No matter what side of the ball you’re on, being able to direct your opponents movements is key to winning.

In order to confuse the offense, try changing your pace. When you running towards the basket, try planting the front foot and start straightening up. The guard may think you’ve slowed down and may try to straighten themselves. Like them, push and run past them.

TIP! When catching a rebound, be sure to land with legs that are spread wider than your shoulder span, to help keep your balance. Put your hands on the sides of the basketball and then put it close to your chest.

Stay low when you play defense. That helps you stay quick when it comes to the jump and will help you react more quickly to the person just ahead of you. Stay in your defensive stance all the time. When you have to break out of stance to block a shot, get back into form as quickly as possible.

TIP! When in possession of the ball, you need to grasp when it is wise to shoot and when you ought to pass. It’s better to work with others to get a good shot than if you’re someone who ruins a game due to a poor shot.

Use your hand to create a barrier between the ball and your opponent. Don’t push your opponent because that is a foul; however, you can use your arm as separator between your opponent and the ball. Just keep it up slightly while dribbling with the other hand.

TIP! You must know how to pivot correctly when playing basketball. Practicing pivoting will be able to help prevent you from tangling your feet or getting disoriented.

Forge a strong bond between teammates, whether you are playing the game or off the court. Basketball games gain a new intensity when players can work as one effortlessly. That means knowing each players strengths and weaknesses and trusting them.

Stop Dribbling

TIP! It is important to master your footwork on the court, not just your shooting. Know where your feet should be placed when pivoting and playing various positions.

Double dribbling is considered a foul. This happens when you stop dribbling and then begin again. When you stop dribbling, you must shoot or pass the ball. You can’t start dribbling again. This will cause your team to lose the ball.

TIP! Always apply pressure on the individual with the ball while on defense. If you stay within six feet of him, he’s only allowed to dribble or hold the ball for five seconds each.

If you’ve studied the opposing team and found one player isn’t as good with one hand as with the other, try to make that player use his off hand. If they’re right handed, step into them using your left foot; this will force them to switch sides. Your head should be parallel to their chest and your body should be low since this is the best way to prepare to steal the ball.

TIP! Practice the fake pump. This is one of the most effective approaches to shooting the ball.

If you have the right tips in mind as you practice basketball, you will find the game becomes easier and more enjoyable. Start with the great advice in the article above and keep on learning as much as you can. Get all of the advice you can so that you’re able to do your best.