TIP! Be sure to dribble correctly every time. When you dribble, use the fingertips, not the palm.

Basketball is a sport that is loved all over the globe. Anybody can play basketball, no matter what their age is. Basketball teaches you cooperation and sportsmanship. When you wish to learn everything you are able to about the game, you’ve got to learn the information below.

TIP! Try learning how to hit free throw shots. The execution of a free throw is not as simple as it may appear.

When dribbling, focus on what’s in front of you by keeping your head up. If you must look at the ball while dribbling, you haven’t practiced enough. Always have a basketball handy. Dribble on your way to school. If you look your ball, you can’t see the court.

TIP! Practice the skill of pass catching. Practice catching errant throws along with perfect passes.

Don’t pump too much iron if you plan on being a jump shooter. Though muscle strength is great to have with any sport, it is very possible to be too buff for serious game play. You will notice that most basketball players have well-defined muscles that are not overdeveloped.

Free Throws

TIP! If you’re a jump shooter, don’t lift weights too often. While muscle strength is good to have in any basketball position, it is possible to have too much for perimeter play.

Perform skills, practice your ball handling and shoot free throws when you are practicing alone. Sometimes during off season, or when practicing, you can’t play as a team or find even a single opponent. No problem. You can still accomplish a lot when playing solo. Practice free throws and work on pivot moves. There is no shortage of things you can do.

TIP! If you’re on the offense, you footwork needs to be excellent to stay open for passes and shots. Focus on positioning yourself more quickly than the opposing player is just as important as having someone beneath the hoop.

If you have a child who has expressed interest in becoming a basketball player in high school, make sure he trains his core muscles. Core muscles are comprised of the hips, lower back, and abdominal muscles. The core connects the lower extremities to the upper extremities. Without a strong core, your performance may be limited. If your core is solid, you will have greater strength in your legs. This helps with fast running and high jumping.

TIP! You never want to have your back to the ball if you can help it. You have to be aware of what is going on with the ball at all times.

Find out what your teammates like most about how you play? They will probably notice the things you do best. Perhaps you are great backup or fast on your feet. By understanding what your teammates see as your best skills, you can ensure that you keep a strong focus and hone these abilities even more.

TIP! Be aware of what your feet are doing and where they are. You want to make sure you don’t step over the bounds by even a teeny bit.

For more consistency in making those free throws, stick with the same sequence of motions before you take each shot. It could be that you dribble several times, bend at the knees, brush your hair out of your eyes or do something else. This consistency will get your body in tune to do the same thing every time, increasing your chance to make shot after shot.

TIP! Having a pre-free-throw shot routine will help you become dependable at free throws. Whatever you do before each shot, from dribbles to body motions, should be the same each time.

In order to perfect your layup shooting technique practice, take off with your left foot if you shoot with your right hand and vice versa. What this practically means is that if your right hand is your shooting hand, you need to take off with your left foot. This will allow you to be more balanced while moving closer to the basket while keeping your body between the defender and you.

TIP! Practice moving the ball from one courtside to the other in just 5 dribbles of the ball. It isn’t impossible, it just takes practice.

You need to put a damper in your opponent’s plan if you want to be successful with defending. Don’t let them get comfortable. Be assertive and focused within the rules, aggressively keeping your player off balance. Other players should not influence the plays you make. If you let them, they’ll totally take the control from you. Make your moves first and end their patterns.

TIP! You should ensure that you can clearly see. This isn’t just so you can read the scoreboard and be able to make shots and catch passes.

A great drill to try is to see how many dribbles it takes for you to make it across the court. The ideal number of dribbles is five. This may seem like an impossible challenge, but it will increase your stride length and your speed. That translates to smooth layups during fast breaks.

TIP! If you see a chance to gain control of the ball, take it. This allows you to get the ball back for your team, setting up a foul.

When you have the chance, take charge. This play gets your team possession of the ball and a foul against your opponent. This can have a major impact on the other team psychologically, and it can be a powerful play as well.

TIP! Keep low when you play defense. This will help you be quicker on the jump and react to the man in front of you easier.

Why is basketball a game that’s so popular? It’s because it is both simple and fun. The advice above is vital for anyone who is a fan of the game. Increase your skill and enjoyment by using the excellent advice presented here.