TIP! It is tempting to concentrate just on offense when just staring out, but defensive practice is absolutely vital. Defense is how you win a basketball game.

What’s important for you to learn about the sport of basketball? What sorts of skills must you learn to enhance both your performance and your enjoyment of the game? The knowledge found in this article will help you master the game.

TIP! Know how to dribble the ball in the correct way. Don’t use your palm, use your fingers.

Constantly practice layups. This is the most popular shot in basketball. Whenever you practice, approach the goal full speed, jump and take a smooth shot. Practicing your running and jumping as a single motion will improve your technique faster than practicing them separately.

TIP! Work on improving your strengths to become an even better player. Your skills may not turn you into the star player, but knowing how to make the most of your skills will make you a more valuable player.

You have to know how to bounce pass properly. This means your pass should be aimed towards the receiving player at the level of his waist. One thing you should do is always remember the ball should be bounced three quarters on its way towards the person you’re passing too. But, there are some factors that can change this.

TIP! Do not practice by playing against the zone defense. Though much of the game is sure to be played within a zone pattern, the opposition may try to go man-to-man in order to confuse you.

A great way to hone your own basketball abilities is to watch the pros. Go to a bunch of professional games in person, watch them on television, or just get online to search for basketball videos. Every truly great player has unique skills that you can learn from.

TIP! If you’re going to be a jump shooter, don’t lift too many weights. It’s possible to have excessive muscles when you play the perimeter.

Don’t just practice playing against a zone defense. You can count on quite a bit of the game being played in zone; however, you should not be surprised if it becomes one-on-one coverage just for the sake of confusion. You might lose your control of the court if the other team use this technique, unless you are ready for this possibility.

TIP! Do not wait for any special season to play some basketball. You may not always be able to find someone to play with you.

You can improve your passing skills by practicing a simple drill where dribbling is forbidden. Passing drills with your team is important for accurate passes during game time, and you can try doing them without dribbling at all. Don’t get upset if it seems hard, this will improve your team’s passes over time.

TIP! One of the keys to becoming a great basketball player is developing core muscles. Core muscles include the hips, abs, and lower back.

Need to dupe the opposition? Try a pass back! To do this pass, hold on to the ball with your dominant hand. Next, pull the ball behind your back. Finally your wrist should be flicked towards where you want the ball to go. It’s a great way to trick your opposing team.

Core Muscles

TIP! Being able to anticipate your opponent is a key skill. You should be look at scouting reports, practicing techniques and watch tapes.

If your son or daughter wants to play high school basketball, they need to work on core muscle training. They should train their lower back, hips, and abs. Your performance is going to be sub-par if you don’t have strengthened core muscles. Strong core muscles help you with many movements associated with basketball.

TIP! Pay close attention to your shoulders if you’ve suddenly developed a shooting slump. Whenever your shoulders aren’t in a good position, you simply will not shoot well, regardless of your skill level.

Stay on top of your footwork when attempting a rebound. Your defender will move towards you, so figure out how to slither past him and grab the ball. This technique will help you rebound the ball without getting a foul called on you.

TIP! Speed is one of the best virtues when playing basketball. Try to play faster than your opponents for an advantage.

Make sure that you can see clearly. Your eyesight will affect more than just making shots. You want your peripheral vision to be as good as it can. If you’re looking around the whole court and not only at the ball, you’ll be able to look to the defense to see if pressure is coming and you can see who’s open.

TIP! In order to be successful with layups, the foot that is opposite from shooting hand is the one you should take off from. This means that if you shoot with your right hand, take off from your left foot.

Take charge when the opportunity presents itself. Taking charges gives you a chance for earning a defensive stop, gives your team the ball, and gives one more foul called in your favor. This can throw off the opposing team and mess up their rhythm.

TIP! Practice with your weak hand when it comes to dribbling. By being able to easily dribble with two hands rather than one, you have a huge advantage over your defenders.

Don’t discontinue dribbling until you have the chance to shoot or pass. You have few options remaining to you after you stop dribbling. If you choose against passing or shooting, you are stuck pivoting in place. You leave the ball vulnerable to possible steal attempts and yourself open to being double teamed.

TIP! Use your weak hand for brushing your hair, doing up your belt and opening bottles so you can build up its strength. The more dextrous you become with it in your daily life, the better able you will be to control it.

Switch the weight of your body while you are dribbling. This will help you learn to dribble during all different kinds of situations. You need to feel as comfortable with defense closing in on you, as you do in the open court. You must dribble while you make your body lean in various directions. By nailing this skill, you have a better chance to avoid a turnover.

TIP! Do off court exercises that will improve your game on the court. Running sprints can make you faster on individual plays, while long-distance running helps you make it through a game with good stamina.

Use the hand that doesn’t have the ball as a block. Be careful not to push your opponent or you may get a foul. Keep it up and dribble with your other hand.

TIP! It is necessary to be capable of altering the path of your opponent. Whether you’re playing defense or offense, it’s crucial to control the other player’s movements.

It is important to take your diet seriously if you want to be the best player you can be. If you play all the time, you need to eat carbs on a regular basis. Don’t neglect protein and fat, though. Good foods that provide these essentials include nuts, lean meats and whole wheat breads. Look for foods with low amounts of fat and sugar.

TIP! Where you are standing on the court can make a difference as to whether you get a rebound. Jump using both feet for increased power and stability and grab the ball using both hands.

If someone is shooting from a corner of the court, a missed shot will likely bounce right over the net and to the other side of the court. If that happens, you need to anticipate when it will land so you can catch it on the rebound.

TIP! If the ball is in your hands, you have to be able to judge whether you should take the shot or make a pass. When you assist, you are still winning the game.

Has this article answered your questions? Are you now prepared to take on any challenge? Are you set to up your basketball skills? Apply the advice from this article the next time you are on the court and watch how your game improves!