TIP! It’s natural to be drawn towards offense as a novice, but the pros know defense is where the game is won or lost. In the end, it’s defense that consistently wins you games.

Basketball is all the rage in this world. But, excelling at the game is not simple. Genetics, athleticism and practice may make you a star, but everyone can enjoy a game of b-ball. The article below will give you some valuable tips to make playing this sport more fun.

TIP! Practice your free throw shot. The free throw shot might seem simple, but it can actually be pretty difficult.

Look forward and hold your head up while you dribble the ball. If you have to look at the ball while dribbling, that means you need to practice more. The ball can go with you when you go anywhere. You can practice dribbling when you have to walk to the store. If you are staring at the ball, there is no way you can know what else is happening on the court.

TIP! A good tip is to practice your layups on a daily basis. This is the most popular shot in basketball.

Perfect your layup technique. A huge percentage of successful shots are layups. Run as fast as possible, while jumping and performing a smooth shot. Knowing how to run and jump quickly and smoothly will assist you in knowing how to leap and shoot more effectively while playing.

TIP! You need to practice more than defeating a zone defense. Most of the game is played in zone, but your opponent may try to switch things up to do man-to-man coverage.

Quality footwork will help you get better shots. There are two important points you must remember. You must create a physical presence below the basket, and you must secure a good spot in advance of your opponent. Once you have a location, it is important that your feet are firmly planted there. Strong footwork skills help to build both types of skills.

TIP! There are passes that can confuse the other team momentarily. You should try a back pass.

Ask teammates what they admire about your playing skills? Do you do something particularly well? Continue to develop the skills that play into your natural abilities. 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! As you perform your fitness routine, make it a point to target your core and your footwork. This allows your body to be in balance and be more explosive on the court.

To hold the ball right, spread your fingers out. That makes sure that you don’t lose the ball when you hold it. Don’t let your palm touch the ball either. The only things that should touch the ball are your fingers, as you shoot or pass.

TIP! If your shooting is suffering, take a close look at your shoulders. If you have bad shoulder position it doesn’t matter how great you are the shot isn’t going to go in.

When you work out, try focusing on building core strength and bettering your footwork. When your core is strengthened, you will have more balance and be able to move more swiftly. Don’t forget to also work out muscles in your back, buttocks, abdomen and hips. Jump rope like a boxer to improve your fancy footwork.

TIP! Try practicing looking in the opposite direction when you pass. Doing this is a great way to confuse your opponents.

Always be aware of your feet. You want to make sure you don’t step over the bounds by even a teeny bit. Holding the ball for too many steps and not dribbling will result in a walking call which will cause you to you will lose possession of the ball. Also, when you’re moving your feet when a screen is being set, you can take a charge or pick to try and get a foul.

TIP! Create a routine to improve your free throw success. If you are inconsistent then your shot will be off.

To become a better free throw shooter, use the same routine prior to every shot. That could include a set number of dribbles, knee-bends or some other type of movement. Keep it simple and consistent, and the routine will become a part of your muscle memory.

TIP! A good defensive strategy will keep your opponent on their toes. Don’t let your opponent get comfortable out there on the court.

Are you ready to show everyone what you’ve got? Or, do you need to practice first? Bring high energy, motivation and excitement to your game. Soon you’ll start to see how much you’ve improved because you put the advice you were given here into practice.