TIP! Practice your defense more than your offense. In the end, it’s defense that consistently wins you games.

You can find people enamored with the sport of basketball all around the world. Whether you are seeking to make basketball your life focus or you simply enjoy a pickup game with some buddies, it’s easy to get started with the basics. Keep reading to learn how to become a better player.

TIP! A bounce pass is essential to learn. Executed properly, a bounce pass will connect with the receiving player at the waist.

It’s natural to focus on offensive abilities when practicing the sport of basketball, but your practice time needs to focus on defense. In the end, it’s defense that consistently wins you games. Offensive skills are usually the most impressive ones but defense is something every team should work on.

TIP! There are passes that can confuse the other team momentarily. How about the behind the back pass? Use the dominant hand to hold onto the basketball when trying this pass.

Shooting has much to do with proper balance. Even though a professional can hit all sorts of crazy off-balance shots, it is not the ideal method of shooting that you want to learn. These are not practiced skills, they are just flukes. By focusing on balance in your shot, you will develop the consistency needed to be a great scorer.

TIP! Hand signals will help you avoid those errant passes. Passing is tough, especially if you and your teammate are not in sync with one another.

Practice your pass catching often. Practice catching errant throws along with perfect passes. When the pressure is on, not every pass will come straight to you. Help your team by learning to catch those bad passes, as well as those perfect passes.

TIP! Get someone to analyze how you play on tape. While reviewing the tape, look for opportunities you may have missed during the game.

You want to be prepared for any type of defense the other team plays. Learn how to play a man-to-man defense and a zone defense to get the best understanding of how the game works. If you have not practiced against this, you may lose your grip of the game for the remainder of it.

TIP! Practice looking the other way when passing. You are able to confuse opponents with this technique.

Don’t bulk up if you want to be good as a jump shooter. It’s possible to have excessive muscles when you play the perimeter. Some shooting guards worked on their arms so much that they started lowering their percentage of field goals.

TIP! Changing your pace is key to keeping the offense on their toes. As you run towards the net, plant your front foot and begin to straighten up.

When an injury occurs while you are playing ball, don’t keep playing with pain. Basketball is physically demanding, and it is easy to get hurt. Being tough is one thing, but playing through injury can only harm you even further and make the problem much worse. Be sure to talk to a doctor if you feel that the injury isn’t going away.

TIP! Strength and flexibility training can help your skills in basketball. In order to be the best you can at basketball, you need to be strong and hardy.

Boost your defensive abilities by studying the opposing team and its players. Watch tapes of their games and see how others move on the court. For example, you should know which of the players are left-handed and which are right-handed. Your defensive game will be a lot more effective after you get to know your opponent. One of the most important keys to being a solid defender is an understanding of your opponent.

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). This can give them an opportunity to run up to that point guard to trap them.

Consistent free throws require a consistent technique. If you are inconsistent then your shot will be off. The best way to perfect your free throw shooting technique is through repetition by practicing the same routine over and over again. If you don’t stick to your routine, you could miss the shot.

TIP! To build up your skills with your weaker hand, use it for everything from opening jars to brushing your teeth. If you’re able to become more ambidextrous, you are going to be able to better control it on the court.

Now you should know what has to be done if you wish to do well at basketball. It is not a complicated game and a great form of exercise. Begin playing and before you know it, you will be playing every day. You can have fun at the same time!