TIP! A lot of novice players mostly focus on their offensive skills, but developing good defensive skills will help you become a better player. Defense is essential to winning these games.

All kinds of people love the game of basketball. The pros make it look easy, but even they practice really hard to be so good. Though your rank can count slightly on your genetically determined athleticism, it has the potential to be fun for anyone. Read this information here to learn more about basketball.

TIP! Correct dribbling is key. Proper dribbling technique involves use of the fingertips, not the palm of the hand.

Learn proper dribbling. Don’t use your palm, use your fingers. This will give you better control of the basketball. Always dribble to your side, not your front. Look up, not down.

TIP! To be a better basketball player you should concentrate on the things that make you great. Your strengths might not make you a star player, but you’ll be contributing a lot to your team.

If you want to improve your game, concentrate on your strengths. Your strengths might not make you a star player, but you’ll be contributing a lot to your team. Know what you are good at, then practice it until you’re absolutely perfect at it!

Bounce Pass

TIP! You should ask your teammates about your strengths and weaknesses. Find out what they perceive as your best skill.

Teach yourself how a bounce pass can be properly thrown. The bounce pass needs to reach the player at waist level. Letting the ball bounce close to the other person will help the accuracy of your pass. But, a series of other considerations can require you to make adjustments.

TIP! Understanding your opponent is a good way to shut him down on defense. Watch games if you can and look at their tendencies.

Building core muscle is key to playing great basketball. Focus on hips, lower back and abs. The core connects the lower and upper extremities, and if a person has a weak core, they will fail to excel in athletic pursuits. A solid and strong core lets force that comes from the legs get used for beneficial movements when playing, like faster running and higher jumping.

TIP! Watch tapes of yourself playing basketball to get a more objective perspective. On tape, you can see all the opportunities you passed and how things could have gone better.

Avoid errant passes by using hand signals. One of basketball’s most frustrating elements is the concept of sending a quick pass onto a teammate who has just moved in a different direction. Avoid this with hand signals that let you know if the player is open to receiving the pass. If the signal is not used, then the pass should not be made to that player.

TIP! If the opposing team is guarding you to much, you can try a pass between your legs. You can practice this technique by stepping forward or backward and bouncing the ball with force between your legs.

Good footwork remains a vital part of basketball. You must be certain to get the good spot ahead of your opponent. When you are in position, you must secure your spot. Good footwork is key to a good basketball game.

TIP! The trick to grabbing a rebound on a teammate’s missed free-throw is to plan your footwork in advance. The defender in your path will be moving at you, so be sure you’re thinking of how to get past that defender.

When you want consistently good free throws, repeat your routine. This might mean that you dribble the ball twice, bend your knees, touch your forehead, or any other movement. By developing a quick ritual, you can help train your body to make free throws.

TIP! Dribble hard if you don’t want the ball taken from you. When you dribble hard, the ball bounces back to your hand faster.

Launch your layup jumps from the foot that is opposite the hand you shoot with. If you play to use your right hand to shoot, you’ll want to use your left foot to take off. Your body will be better balanced and moving in the direction of the basket. Your body will also be kept between the defender and yourself.

Free Throws

TIP! If you’re serious about your game, you should take your diet seriously. If you’re playing regularly, you need energy-loaded carbs as well as some fat and protein.

To help you shoot better free throws you need to come up with a consistent routine. If you’re not consistent you’ll find yourself missing free throws. The simplest way to get better at shooting free throws is through constant repetitive motions when shooting the ball. If you don’t do the routine right, then the shot won’t make it.

TIP! You need to be able to alter your opponents path. It is irrelevant whether you are playing defense or offense; in both cases, your ability to control the direction of your opponent is critical.

To be a good dribbler, and a more versatile player, you have to develop not only your dominant hand but your weaker side as well. When you are ambidextrous, you’ll be a better player. Force yourself to not use your stronger hand. You will improve dribbling with your weak hand soon enough.

TIP! Always pay attention to where the ball goes once your teammate or your opponent sends it out of their hands. Rebounding will help you win the game.

The trick to grabbing a rebound on a teammate’s missed free-throw is to plan your footwork in advance. Use your feet to slip around the opposing player below you, then get into position for a rebound off the rim. Then you gain the ball without the foul.

TIP! Passing is an important part of basketball. Passing moves the ball quicker and confuses the opposing team.

Practice drills that force you to get the basketball to the other end of the court in less than 5 dribbles. This may be difficult in the beginning, but if you manage it, you’ll be a force to be reckoned with. It will allow you to execute easy layups.

TIP! You must know how to pivot correctly when playing basketball. Work on your footwork to be able to move smoothly.

When you have a chance, take a charge. A charge leads to a turnover by the opposing team and gives you the ball back. This can hurt the other team’s players psychologically and can also be powerful when you’re creating plays.

Strength Training

TIP! Always force your opponent’s action towards the sideline when you are on defense. If you allow a player to go down the court’s middle, they have a lot more choices in what to do.

In basketball, strength is important, so do strength training. In addition to strength, stamina is key in basketball. Even young kids can improve if they exercise the right way and strengthen their core. As they start to get older, get them some weights to help them exercise harder. Once they transition into adulthood, strength training must continue to be a core part of their exercise routine.

TIP! Do some practicing on the pump fake. Not many strategies are as effective as the notorious pump fake.

Keep your knees loose when you dribble the ball. Standing straight will make you see that it’s harder to handle and easier for the opposing players to take. You will have better ball control with bent knees.

TIP! A number of defenses exist, but “man-to-man” and “zone” are the two primary ones. During a zone defensive move, you are accountable for a specific area on the court.

To improve your perimeter shooting, it is important to practice every day from various spots on the court. Become better and better by practicing your fast dribble then stopping abruptly to make a shot. Be sure you look at the target as you’re in mid air. All these techniques give you the feel of actual game play, and this will help you become more accurate.

TIP! Free throw are a really big component of basketball. Fouls are a huge part of the game, particularly at the end of a really close game.

Do you feel as though it’s time to show off your new skills? Start with some practice, of course. Get yourself pumped up and mentally psyched, then step onto the court and do it! You will see the improvement with your skills after using this advice.