TIP! It is tempting to concentrate just on offense when just staring out, but defensive practice is absolutely vital. Defense can make or break a basketball game.

What should you learn about basketball? What information will learn the ins and outs of the game so I can be the player I want to be? Here you’ll get a lot of info on basketball and great tips to help you. Read on to increase those skills all that you can.

TIP! Focus on your strong point to help you become a better ball player. Your talents might not make you a star, but when you make the most of your strengths, you might better contribute to your team.

Look forward when dribbling. Lack of practice will manifest itself in looking down towards the ball when dribbling. One of the best ways to improve your dribbling is to bring your ball along anytime you need to walk somewhere. If you are heading down to the market, dribble as you go. If you look at the ball, you’re unable to see what’s going on down the court before you.

TIP! You should often work on your layups. Layups sometimes wind up being 4 out of every 5 shots in basketball.

Watch the pro’s play if you want to improve your game. Watch professionals play or go check out talented local teams to see who has the moves that you want to learn. Watch great players to learn the specific skills that make them exceptional.

TIP! Learn how to throw a proper bounce pass. A bounce pass that’s good is going to end up hitting the other player near their waist.

If you want to be a jump shooter, avoid pumping iron excessively. It’s possible to have excessive muscles when you play the perimeter. Overdeveloped muscles could actually interfere with your score percentage.

TIP! There is a lot of pressure when shooting free throws. Making the right physical motions is easier than having the right mind set.

You can play a great defensive game if you know the opposition well. Watch tapes and stay up on scouting reports. You should know if a player is right or left handed. Studying your opponent is one of the best ways to be able to win the game. A knowledgeable defender is a strong defender.

TIP! Do not practice by playing against the zone defense. Usually, a big part of the game is probably going to be in zone; however, the opposing team can suddenly switch to man-to-man to catch you off guard.

It can help you when you pass through your legs. You can practice this technique by stepping forward or backward and bouncing the ball with force between your legs. This move can give you an advantage when playing a tough defense.

TIP! Tricking the other team is a good way to win a game. Give the back pass a try! Hold the basketball with your writing hand.

To help you shoot better free throws you need to come up with a consistent routine. If you stay inconsistent, you miss a shot. You should work on your free throw techniques as much as possible until they become a second nature. You will probably miss your shot if the routine you use is not perfect.

TIP! Practice your footwork and control the position of your feet at all times. If you slide onto the baseline, you will lose the ball for being out of bounds.

Build up your forearms to become a better ball handler. Wrist curls are great for working wrist muscles and improving your dribbling. Never assume you can just stand somewhere, catch and then shoot. You have to start moving the basketball around to get things to happen.

TIP! In order to play defense successfully, you must be able to disrupt the game of your opponent. Don’t let your opponent get comfortable out there on the court.

If you wish to shoot on the outside better you should work on shooting hundreds of times every day from a lot of places on the court. Also practice transitioning from dribbling to a quick shot. Look at the target when you’re airborne and not a moment before. This will help improve your accuracy during a game.

TIP! Workout to increase flexibility and strength in your hands and forearms. Wrist curls are great for working wrist muscles and improving your dribbling.

Keep dribbling until you’re ready to either pass or shoot. The instant you stop the dribble, your options become limited. Basically the only move you have at this point is to pivot while finding an opening to move the ball. This leaves you vulnerable to being double teamed by members of the opposing team, and it is far more likely that the ball will be stolen.

TIP! To avoid turning the ball over to the other team, make sure that you’re dribbling hard. The ball returns more quickly to your hand when you do this, giving the opponents fewer opportunities to steal it from you.

You should always have your free hand between you and your opponent when dribbling the ball. You don’t want to be pushing any of your opponents (that’s a foul), but you can use that non-dribbling arm as a separator to keep the ball safe. Just make sure it is kept slightly up while you use the other hand to dribble.

TIP! You need good vision if you are going to play basketball. This is so that you’re able to catch passes, get shots in, and look at the scoreboard.

If you’re training to become a very good basketball player then start changing your diet. You use a lot of fuel playing basketball so a lot of carbs is needed, as well as adequate protein and fats. Great ideas to bring into your diet are wheat breads, peanut butter, chicken and nuts. Salt and sugars should only been eaten rarely.

TIP! A great way to make sure you’re in a good position defensively is to keep yourself in the defensive stance. Slide sideways and use your back foot to push off in order to maintain the defensive stance in stride.

Build your team up at all times. Basketball is a great game that can be elevated when the team is of one mind. Once you and your teammates begin communicating, and even hanging out together in your spare time, your success should rise.

TIP! In order to confuse the offense, try changing your pace. As you run towards the net, plant your front foot and begin to straighten up.

It is necessary to be capable of altering 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! Increase your weak hand’s capabilities by using it for everything you normally would not. The more dextrous you become with it in your daily life, the better able you will be to control it.

Positioning is key in picking up an essential rebound. Use both feet to jump and then get the ball using both hands. After grabbing a rebound, keep your landing wide to improve balance.

TIP! Make sure the ball doesn’t bounce above your knees when you dribble. This makes it more difficult for your opponents to steal the ball.

Always focus on where the ball is going after it leaves your teammates hands or the opposing players hands. One of the biggest key plays in the game is the rebound. After all, you need to be able to get possession of the ball to shoot it for a score.

TIP! The hand not used to dribble the ball should serve as a wall separating the ball from the opposing players. You don’t need to push any opponents since that’s a foul, but try using your non-dribbling arm like a separator for keeping the ball safe.

Are you now ready with answers to your biggest basketball questions? Are you prepped to hit the court running? Can you imagine yourself really improving your game now? Continue to practice and use the above advice and enjoy the outcome.