TIP! Passing the ball is an important part of playing basketball so practice making and receiving passes. While you are practicing, you should be sure to drill yourself on catching errant throws, as well as catching those perfect passes.

Basketball is fun to play for anyone and everyone. People of all ages can enjoy a fun and exciting basketball game. Have your friends take a look at your new skills. What moves do you want to learn? Read on to learn exactly what you can do to improve your game.

TIP! Learn good passing by drilling often without dribbling. It is difficult playing without dribbling; however, it helps the team make better passes.

Successful free throws require you to be mentally and physically strong. You can practice for hours on how to make the shot, but if you over think things or get distracted you will miss every time. Stay relaxed and just focus on the goal and you will increase your free throw rate.

TIP! During your workouts, concentrate on improving your footwork as well as your core strength. With a stronger core, you’ll be able to balance better.

Passing the ball is an important part of playing basketball so practice making and receiving passes. Practice catching errant throws along with perfect passes. When playing in the game, it’s rare that every pass will hit a bulls-eye. You can do the rest of your team a favor by practicing how you can best complete imperfect passes.

TIP! Having a pre-free-throw shot routine will help you become dependable at free throws. This can include the number of times you dribble, how you position your feet, or anything else.

Do not practice solely against zone defense. While much of the game is played in zone, the opponent can flip to man-to-man coverage, changing everything and surprising you. If you haven’t trained yourself to counter this, you could lose any control you have over the game.

TIP! You must disrupt your opponent’s game when you’re playing defense. Force opposing players into an unfamiliar or unexpected position.

Want to make the other team not know what’s going on? Try a pass back! To properly perform this pass you will need to have the ball in your dominant hand. Next, pull the ball behind your back. Lastly, flick your wrist in the direction that you want the ball to land. This should help to trick the other team.

TIP! Workout to increase flexibility and strength in your hands and forearms. Wrist curls can work good if you wish to start handling the ball like you’re able to dribble in any situation.

Make use of hand signals so that wild passes can be avoided. One thing that can frustrate you when playing basketball is to try and pass while a player is trying to run to the basket. You can stay away from doing this if you use a hand signal to see if someone is ready for a pass. No signal, no pass.

TIP! To avoid having the ball stolen, dribble hard. If you dribble hard, the ball will go back to your hand quickly and the offense will not be able to snatch it easily.

Good footwork is important when you’re posting up in the paint. You need to have physical presence beneath the net, but you also have to choose the right spot to be in. Once you’re in position, you also need to secure your spot. The key to mastering these skills is good footwork.

TIP! To trap with a 2-3 zone, have your guards cover the point guard once he gets a few feet past midcourt. Once he passes mid court the guards should rush up on him.

Ask your fellow team members which of your skills that they admire. Do they feel you are really good at something? Perhaps you are great backup or fast on your feet. Determine what others like about your game and fine tune those skills.

TIP! Switch your body’s weight from side to side while practicing your dribbling. During game time, you’ll find yourself dribbling from all sorts of positions.

Understanding the opponent is key in beating a tough defense. Watch games if you can and look at their tendencies. Know the dominant hand of every player. This knowledge will help you play the best game possible. One of the most important keys to being a solid defender is an understanding of your opponent.

Free Throw

TIP! Make sure you practice shooting all over the court. The first thing you should do is practice your grip and balance.

When you want consistently good free throws, repeat your routine. This could mean two dribbles before taking your free throw, bending your knees, or some other thing you do to get into a rhythm before shooting. Following the same routine gives your body will maintain muscle memory for more consistent free throw shooting.

TIP! Avoid double dribbling. This happens when you cease dribbling once and begin again within a few seconds.

If you want to dribble the basketball better, you need to practice dribbling with your weaker hand. Being ambidextrous on the court makes it more difficult for defenders to figure out what you will do next. Immobilize your dominant hand by tying it behind your back, then practice using your other hand for everything. You will improve dribbling with your weak hand soon enough.

TIP! 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 your opponent favors their right side, step to them using your left foot.

To play good defense, you have to upset and disrupt your opponent. Take them out of their own comfort zone. Execute your moves with aggression. You don’t want the defense choosing your plays so to speak. The more aggressively smart team is usually the one who wins. Instead, you move first and throw them off their game.

TIP! Try always focusing on the location the ball goes after it exits your teams’ hands or the opponents’ hands. Rebounding will help you win the game.

Build up your forearms to become a better ball handler. Do some wrist curls as much as possible and your dribbling should get better. Good playing is not only instinctive, it takes hard work and discipline. You have to get the ball around, too.

TIP! Make passing an important element of your game. Passing helps confuse the opponent.

If you want to make a 2-3 zone into something special, have the guards remain put until the opposing team’s guard makes their way about ten feet in from mid-court. They can then trap the point guard. Simultaneously, forwards should block sprint toward wing players. The guard on point should make a pass that can easily be stolen by the forwards.

TIP! Ask yourself what your weaknesses are. This above all else, to thine own self be true.

Practice dribbling while switching the momentum of your body from side to side. Remember that you must dribble in a variety of situations during a basketball game. There may be times when you are covered by multiple opponents; however, there may be times when you have the whole court in front of you. You must know how to dribble the ball no matter what your body is doing. It will help you when you need it most.

TIP! When you are dribbling, practice bouncing the basketball as hard as you can. A ball bounced harder travels more quickly, thereby giving your opponent less opportunity to try to steal it from you.

Now you can show your stuff off on the court. Perhaps you have even learned a few new secrets. Always remember that fun is the most importance concept in basketball. But, it is always fun to win.