TIP! Make it a point to concentrate on both your defensive and offensive skills. Focusing only on offense does not make you a well-rounded player.

Whether you’re someone who wishes to play basketball for a living or if you just like to watch it, you need some information if the game is to be enjoyed. Lacking in the fundamentals? Don’t worry, you’ll get there. Basketball is a very simple game that is very enjoyable. Continue reading to find ways to up your game skills.

TIP! Figure out how to perfect your free throw. These shots look easy on television, but are actually hard when you are doing the shooting.

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 what stands between you and a win. Offense is flashier, so it draws the attention of fans and journalists, but a team that can’t defend well won’t win any games.

Bad Passes

TIP! Frequently practice passing and catching the passes of others. When you practice, drill yourself to pay attention to errant throws and passes that are picture perfect.

Practice catching passes as often as you can. During practice you should come up with drills where you perfect catching bad passes along with the good ones. This will help you catch those bad passes during a game. Therefore, learn how to catch any type of pass so that you can help lead your team to victory.

TIP! Want to trick the other team? Back passes are a great way to confuse other players. To do this pass, hold on to the ball with your dominant hand.

Practice playing a man-to-man defense and zone defense. Most of the basketball game will probably be played in this zone, but the other team might decide to surprise you and do some man-to-man coverage. This can cause your team to lose momentum to the other side if this isn’t something you’ve practiced.

TIP! If posting up is what you’re doing, you have to have good footwork to get open for a shot. You must be certain to get the good spot ahead of your opponent.

When developing your jumping skills, limit your use of weight-training. Being weighed down by too much bulky muscle can have a negative impact on your jump shot. Certain pro guards ended up increasing their arm size so much that their shooting started to suffer.

TIP! If you’re injured when playing basketball, don’t push through the pain. This is an aggressive sport, and injuries happen often.

When exercising, concentrate on building up core strength and improving your footwork. A strong core allows you to be more balanced during games. Work your ab, back, hip and buttocks muscles. Your speed and footwork can be improved by jumping rope.

TIP! One of the best ways to play a strong defensive game is to know your opponent. Monitor scouting news and watch footage of other teams in action.

Passing between the legs is something that helps when you have defense all over you. Try practicing this by bouncing your ball hard in between your legs while stepping forward or backward. Perfecting this technique will help thwart the opposing team while you’re trying to advance the ball.

TIP! Pay close attention to your shoulders if you’ve suddenly developed a shooting slump. When your shoulders are positioned improperly, you will never make the basket regardless of how good your abilities are.

Learn to pass the ball without looking at your intended target. You can really confuse your opponents this way. When done right, the look draws your opponents to the wrong locale so that the person you passed to has a good long look at the basket before shooting. Practicing this pass can really help to give your team the winning edge.

TIP! Have someone taper your games and then watch it to see how you look on the court. While reviewing the tape, look for opportunities you may have missed during the game.

Improve your ball-handling by strengthening your hands and your forearms. Wrist curls can be great for honing ball handling skills. Basketball requires its players to move quickly, shoot accurately and pass well. While this does happen on occasion, you should be moving in order to execute the play.

TIP! Do your free throw shooting the same way every time. Whatever you do before each shot, from dribbles to body motions, should be the same each time.

Make sure that the pace changes when you are on defense. When you are getting closer to the net, put your foot out and straighten up your body. Your defender is going to assume that you’re slowing your speed and will start straightening up, too. Once they slow their momentum, you can shoot past them with a burst of speed.

TIP! Keep low as you defend. This helps your jumps become quicker and betters your reaction to the person before you simpler.

You can strengthen you weaker hand by using it as much as possible, for instance open jars or even brush your teeth. By improving your weaker hand’s dexterity, your control over the hand will significantly improve. This will help you with your basketball game also.

TIP! Using your weak hand to brush your teeth can help you build skills with that hand. Being able to dribble and shoot the ball with both hands will make it much more difficult for opponents to defend you.

To better three-point shooting, try using NBA distance as the minimum. High school lines, international standard lines, and college lines are much closer. By learning to shoot from NBA distances, you improve your range tremendously.

TIP! When you dribble while playing basketball, focus on bending your knees. If you don’t bend your knees, you are more susceptible to having the ball stolen by the other team.

If you want to improve your outside shooting skills then you need to take hundreds of shots each day from all over the court. You should also practice starting with a dribble and then taking a shot. Avoid looking at your target until you are in the air. This will help improve your accuracy during a game.

TIP! Try using your non-dribbling hand like a barrier between the ball and your opponent. Don’t push your opponent because that is a foul; however, you can use your arm as separator between your opponent and the ball.

Make sure your dribble is consistent until you decide to shake up the opposing player. A steady dribble interrupted by a fast dribble will take your opponent by surprise and give you the advantage. Changing the speed also changes the sound which can be off-putting.

TIP! Dribble rhythmically until you are ready to throw your opponent’s guarding capabilities into disarray. Dribbling somewhat slowly, then suddenly dribbling fast might give you the opening you need to take a shot.

If a shooter is located at a corner, their missed attempt is likely to waft to the opposite side. When someone is going for a corner shot, try to anticipate where a missed shot would land so you can be there for the rebound.

TIP! You should never double dribble. You get called for double dribbling if you stop your dribble and then begin again.

Build your team up at all times. You will be amazed at the difference in the level of your team’s play when everyone is on the same page. The better you know your team members, the better you’ll both play.

TIP! If you are aware that the person holding the ball has a weak hand, you should make them use it. If they are right handed, step towards them with your left foot so they have to switch sides.

If you are aware that the player with the ball has a weak hand, force the use of that hand. If they are right handed, step towards them with your left foot so they have to switch sides. Always keep a low center of gravity so you are prepared to steal the ball at the right moment.

TIP! What’s your weakness? Make an honest assessment. Focusing on practicing your foul shots if you miss those a lot.

Passing is an important part of basketball. Your opponent will have a more difficult time stealing the ball if it is frequently being passed. Passing will show your teammates that you care about teamwork, which should help you build strong relations with them. You will get time to show off your skills. You will be able to show off your individual talents but you must also learn to be a team player.

TIP! Dribbling is both physically and mentally challenging. You must control the ball spin, and the intensity and positioning of the balls landing.

If a team is good at defending their zone, you need to attack with a penetrating dribble. Getting past a defender will cause the opposing team to change how they are playing. Attempt the shot once you are within proximity. If someone has a better shot, pass to them.

That was easy, right? Since reading this information, you know how exciting basketball can be. Keep this information in mind to become a great basketball player.