TIP! A lot of novice players mostly focus on their offensive skills, but developing good defensive skills will help you become a better player. You can win a game, thanks to good defense.

Practice is the most crucial key to improving your game. However, you can’t practice what you don’t know how to do. Keep reading for some basketball pointers that will have you hoop ready in no time.

TIP! Learn the mechanics of a free throw. These shots may seem easy, but they can be quite difficult.

Put the emphasis on your strengths can help you to be a better basketball player. You may not be the star player, but by contributing the best way you can you will win more games. Realize your limitations, and roll with your talents.

TIP! You should practice your crossovers a lot. When you do a crossover, you move the basketball very fast from one hand over to the other hand.

See if your teammates admire something in particular about your game play. What are your your best skill areas? Perhaps you have an excellent understanding of defensive strategies or you are the fastest player on your team. It’s great to get an idea of how your teammates think of your skills, this way you know what areas of the game to focus on.

TIP! Successful free throws require you to be mentally and physically strong. You can teach your body to make a free throw properly, but unless you are properly prepared mentally, you may not succeed.

You can play a great defensive game if you know the opposition well. Monitor scouting news and watch footage of other teams in action. See if you can determine each players strong and weak sides. Studying your opponent is one of the best ways to be able to win the game. The strongest defenders are those who have information.

Free Throw

TIP! Quality footwork will help you get better shots. Although a strong presence in the key is important, beating your opponent to good spots on the floor is more important.

High percentage free throw shooters typically have the same free throw routine prior to each and every shot. This may mean you want to dribble three times, touch your forehead, bend at the knees, or do anything else. If you make your routine consistent, your body will eventually know how to make the shot every time.

TIP! During your workouts, concentrate on improving your footwork as well as your core strength. Your body will retain balance and move quicker when you have strong core muscles.

Practice passing while looking the opposite direction. This is a great technique in order to help confuse the opponents. You give your teammate a better chance to make the shot because the opposing player is moving the wrong direction when you pass the ball. It’s quite a play when done properly.

TIP! Videotape your games to see what you do right and wrong. Can you see chances that you missed or ways that you could have done better? Be honest in your assessment but not overly critical.

In order to do the best you can with layups, you’ll want to take off with the foot that is opposite of your shooting hand. What this practically means is that if your right hand is your shooting hand, you need to take off with your left foot. Your body remains balanced while you move towards the basket.

Free Throws

TIP! Try practicing looking in the opposite direction when you pass. This will confuse your opponents.

A consistent routine will help you to achieve great free throws. Failure to use consistency may make your shots less accurate. Practice makes perfect when shooting free throws. This will help you develop a routine. If that routine goes off, it will cause you to miss your shot.

TIP! The key to great defense is being a nuisance to the player you are guarding. Take them out of their own comfort zone.

To improve your dribbling skills, practice dribbling with your weaker hand. If both hands are useful for dribbling, your opponents will not stand much of a chance. Don’t allow yourself to use your dominant hand when practicing. Before you know it, your weak hand will become strong.

TIP! To get the rebound from the free throw your teammate is making, you need to do some fancy footwork. Be aware that the defender who is below you will start moving in your direction.

Upset and disrupt your opponent’s play. All successful basketball players do this. Don’t let your opponent get comfortable out there on the court. Be aggressive in the moves you execute. Don’t let them choose what plays to make. Your opponent will take any opportunity to give you the run around. You make the moves, which helps shift the momentum.

TIP! Make sure that the pace changes when you are on defense. As you are heading towards the net, straighten up and plant down your foot.

Strengthen your hands and forearms for better ball handling. Wrist curls can be effective at helping you to control the ball as if you’ll be dribbling in your sleep. Never assume you can just stand somewhere, catch and then shoot. Strength and flexibility in your hands will allow you to move the ball more gracefully and swiftly.

TIP! Strength training can be a major help in basketball. You need both strength and endurance if you are going to excel.

If you want to stay in a good defensive position, simply avoid breaking out of your defensive stance. Stay in the right position by pushing off of your opposite foot. Keep in mind that your feet shouldn’t cross and this should make you good at defense.

TIP! Keep low as you defend. Doing so improves your reaction time with regards to your opponents’ actions.

Always attempt to remain low when you are playing defense. This will let you get to the jump quicker and let you react to your opponent easier. Maintain your proper defensive stance no matter what. When you must break from your stance in order to block shots, make sure to return to form right away.

TIP! To increase the strength of your weaker hand, utilize it for doing everything, including brushing your teeth and opening jars. The more dextrous you become with it in your daily life, the better able you will be to control it.

If you want to boost your weaker hand skills, use it whenever you can, be it opening jars or just brushing your teeth. Being more dexterous means you will have better control. This is bound to carry over to the court.

TIP! Always bend the knees while dribbling. It makes it much easier to control the ball while dribbling as opposed to standing straight up, which makes controlling the ball much harder.

This article will help you with your basketball skills, even if you play every day. Just start with one tip and watch your game improve. Better offense and defense is yours when you practice using these ideas.