TIP! Dribble the ball the right way. Don’t use your palm to dribble, but use your fingertips instead.

No matter if you’re male or female, basketball can be played by anyone. There are many people that enjoy basketball. Bring your loved ones together and show off what you’ve learned. These new moves will surely enhance your enjoyment of the game. Keep reading to learn what sorts of things you can do.

TIP! Practice hitting your free throws. The execution of a free throw is not as simple as it may appear.

The way to properly dribble is to keep your head up while looking ahead of you. If you start staring at the ball while you dribble, you know you need to practice more. Always have a basketball handy. Whenever you are walking and it is appropriate, dribble there. Remember, if you are directly staring at the ball, there’s no way for you to see what’s happening on the court.

TIP! Crossovers are very important if you’re a ball handler. Crossover dribble is switching hands while you’re dribbling.

One of the most important skills when playing basketball is balance. Your knees should be bent with your feet slightly wider than your shoulders. They have just improvised, is all. You need to be balanced properly if you’re going to be making shots, so that over time you’ll be able to always hit the basket.

TIP! Keep practicing your layups. 80% of all shots in a game are usually layups.

To improve your game, concentrate on your strong points. You might not have star ability, but you can be an outstanding team player. Perfect what you can do well by practicing and developing the strengths you already have.

TIP! Interested in tricking your opponents? Try a back pass. You want to grip the basketball with your strongest hand.

It is important to know the right way to throw a bounce pass. It is best when the ball hits the receiving player near the waist. It’s generally a good idea to pass the ball about three-fourths of the distance between you and the receiving teammate. There are, however, other factors that influence the pass.

TIP! One of the best ways to play a strong defensive game is to know your opponent. One great way to get a better understanding of your opponent is to take the time to watch film and get information from other players or scouts.

Free throws are mental as well as physical. Making the right physical motions is easier than having the right mind set. Relax and focus on the basket; this will help you succeed.

TIP! Get someone to analyze how you play on tape. Can you see where you can improve your form? Are there things you might have done differently? Do not waste time criticizing yourself.

You need to practice more than defeating a 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 your practice did not include this, you can quickly lose control of the game.

TIP! Practice drills where you strive to make it across the full court within 5 dribbles. This may be difficult in the beginning, but if you manage it, you’ll be a force to be reckoned with.

Play games against yourself in and out of season. Even though basketball is usually played with teams, it is sometimes the case that there just isn’t anyone around to play with. No problem! There is much that can be accomplished when playing on your own. You can work on pivots and free throws. You don’t need other players to work on your skills.

TIP! Ensure that you have good court awareness. This will enable you to make good shots as well as catching passes that come your way.

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. If you keep playing when you are injured, you could end up with an injury which keeps you from ever playing again. See a doctor if the injury is serious enough.

TIP! Never break your defensive stance when playing ball. Stay in the right position by pushing off of your opposite foot.

Ask teammates what they admire about your playing skills? Are you skilled at something? It may be that you are quick on your feet or that you are always there to back them up. Discover what other people feel are your strongest skills and then set about perfecting them.

TIP! In order to improve your game, make sure you do plenty of strength training. Being physically tough is as important as having the stamina to keep up with the game.

Practice your footwork and control the position of your feet at all times. You want to make sure you don’t step over the bounds by even a teeny bit. Also, you can cause a turnover if you walk without dribbling the ball. Also, moving either foot when trying to set a screen, pick or take a charge results in a foul call.

TIP! To turn a normal 2-3 zone into a trapping machine, have your top two defenders (your guards) wait until the point guard has come about ten feet past the time line (midcourt). The guards must then rush the opposing team’s point guard and create a trap.

Practicing your skills will ensure that you are confident whenever you play. Now you may even have a few pointers that people you know didn’t even have in mind. Keep in mind that basketball should be fun at all times. Enjoy your playtime!

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