TIP! Make it a point to concentrate on both your defensive and offensive skills. Focusing only on offense does not make you a well-rounded player.

Lots of people love basketball because it is fun to play and watch. Playing it well, however, requires practice and skill. Basketball can be enjoyed by everyone. Read on to find out more.

TIP! A good tip is to practice your layups on a daily basis. This will make up about eighty percent of shots during any basketball game.

Learn to crossover if you get the ball often. When you do a crossover, you move the basketball very fast from one hand over to the other hand. If order for the maneuver to be a success, it has to be performed with speed. One done the right way, the crossover dribble can help you change directions and get down the court more efficiently.

TIP! Practice your bounce pass. In order for a bounce pass to be sufficient, the person should receive the ball around their waist.

Practice your layups a lot. Up to eighty percent of the baskets attempted in a game are layups. Dribble the ball in front of you while taking large strides followed by a smooth shot. That technique of running and jumping helps you get ready for an actual game.

Bounce Pass

TIP! Perform skills, practice your ball handling and shoot free throws when you are practicing alone. Sometimes during off season, or when practicing, you can’t play as a team or find even a single opponent.

Practice your bounce pass. If done correctly, a well-executed bounce pass will reach the player in a way that allows them to move immediately with the ball. Letting the ball bounce close to the other person will help the accuracy of your pass. There are, however, other factors that influence the pass.

TIP! Spreading out your fingers is key to handling the ball correctly. The ball will not get away if you always keep your fingers spread when handling the ball.

A great way to hone your own basketball abilities is to watch the pros. Attend as many professional games as you can, watch the pros on TV, or watch video of professionals. You will see that each great player has certain skills that make him great and you can practice what you see him doing.

TIP! Understanding your opponent is a good way to shut him down on defense. Watch tapes and be sure you’re paying attention to scouting reports.

Watch your shoulders and their position if you notice yourself developing a slump in your shooting. When they are out of alignment, all shots will fail. Your shoulders need to be squared up towards where you’re shooting. Line up your shooting shoulder with the rim as well.

TIP! You need to be quick to play good basketball. You will have the advantage over your opponents if you can really play fast.

If you want to better your dribble, start practicing with your weaker hand. If you’re using both hands to dribble the ball well then you can get by an opponent easily. Make an effort to dribble with your weak hand by keeping your dominant hand away from the front. Your weak hand will soon develop better dribbling skills.

TIP! To rebound a free throw, you have to be quick. Use your feet to slip around the opposing player below you, then get into position for a rebound off the rim.

Build up your forearms to become a better ball handler. Consider wrist curls and and exercise machine that focuses on strengthening each finger individually. You can’t just stand and shoot for the whole game. While this does happen on occasion, you should be moving in order to execute the play.

TIP! Altering your own pace is a good way to disrupt the opposition. While you run at the net, plant the front foot and start straightening your body.

To rebound a free throw, you have to be quick. The defender below you will be moving toward you, so find a way to slip around him and get to the ball. This technique will help you rebound the ball without getting a foul called on you.

TIP! You can make the 2-3 zone a lot more dangerous by having two defenders stay in this zone until a point guard is beyond the time line. Then your defending guards should encircle the point guard to trap him in place.

Once you are in your defensive stance, remember to hold your ground. You need to learn how to slide your feet instead of crossing one foot in front of the other. Don’t ever allow your feet to cross to become a hard player to pass.

TIP! To better three-point shooting, try using NBA distance as the minimum. College, as well as high school three-point lines are set at a shorter distance.

To create a trapping machine in a standard 2-3 zone, have your two top defenders or your guards wait until point guard is about 10 feet from the time line or midcourt. They can then run toward the point guard to trap him. As your guards are doing this, send your forwards out to the outside opponents. The point guard will then probably throw an easily interceptable pass.

TIP! To see improvement in outside shooting skills, you must practice your shots hundreds of times daily from various points on the court. Try to practice a hard dribble followed by a quick shot.

Are you prepared to show what you’re made of? Well, you should probably get to work on doing some practice. Start being excited and then get motivated to start playing basketball today! You should notice your game improving quite nicely as a result of practicing the skills taught in this article.