TIP! Make sure you dribble properly by keeping your head held up, facing forward. If you have to look at the ball while dribbling, that means you need to practice more.

People of all ages have loved basketball for years. However, not everyone knows what you need to be a real success at it. The following article is provided as a way to help better your basketball skills no matter how good a skill level you possess.

TIP! Any good basketball player needs to know how to make a layup. Layups sometimes wind up being 4 out of every 5 shots in basketball.

It’s easy to focus on offense when learning to play, but your practice time would be better spent on defense. Defense is what keep the other team from scoring. Offensive skills are usually the most impressive ones but defense is something every team should work on.

TIP! You can learn how to pass well by drilling on it separately from dribbling. It is a challenge not to dribble while playing, but it will ensure the accuracy of your team’s passes.

Balance is important when shooting. Falling when you make a shot is not the right way to shoot. Those who do this are improvising. Non-professionals should focus on having good balance to ensure good shots. As time passes, you will make more and more baskets with this method.

TIP! Before, during and after the season, play out games by yourself. While basketball is a team sport, sometimes you just can’t find others to play with.

It is important to know the right way to throw a bounce pass. Bounce passes need to be at waist level when received. Try bouncing it about three-quarters to them. Although, there will be other circumstances that are involved too.

TIP! Talk to your teammates and find out what they like about your game. They will probably notice the things you do best.

Completing passes to your teammates is just as important as dribbling the ball. It is hard to play a game when you don’t dribble, but it will help you to be sure that everyone is passing accurately. Work through the initial frustration and see how the challenge will improve your game in the long run.

TIP! Study you opponent well to give yourself an edge. You can read scouting reports and watch tapes to evaluate your opponents game.

How would you like to trick the opposing team? You should try a back pass. To start, grab the ball using your good hand. Then, move the ball so it is behind your back. Then, quickly snap your wrist toward the location where you want the ball to end up. This will confuse the opposition.

TIP! To become a great free thrower, practice and develop a routine you will use during each shot. This may mean you want to dribble three times, touch your forehead, bend at the knees, or do anything else.

Make it your goal to never turn away from the ball on the court. This can help you to avoid surprises by fast passes, help you keep an eye on the rest of the court, and allow you to spot potential turnovers. Always be on the lookout for open areas where you can seize easy scoring opportunities.

Free Throw

TIP! You can really up your performance on the court by doing strength training. Strength and stamina are both needed to excel at basketball.

High percentage free throw shooters typically have the same free throw routine prior to each and every shot. That could include a set number of dribbles, knee-bends or some other type of movement. Keep it simple and consistent, and the routine will become a part of your muscle memory.

TIP! Keep the action beneath your knees, if you can. This makes it more difficult for the opposing players to get control of the ball from you.

Perform exercises to strengthen the muscles in your forearms and hands in order to maximize your ability to handle the ball. Try doing some wrist curls as they are particularly effective in honing your dribble skills. One thing that is important to remember is that it is difficult to be static and be a scorer. You have to start moving the basketball around to get things to happen.

TIP! Use the hand you’re not dribbling with to create a barrier between the ball and the opponent. You never want to push the opponent with your hand, but it is possible to use your free hand to secure the ball.

Be certain you are able to see well. This will help you to secure the ball during the game. You have to build your peripheral vision. 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! To become a much better basketball player, try speaking with teammates and learning what they do. Basketball is not an individual sport.

Bend the knees when you dribble a basketball. Standing straight makes it hard to control the ball. Bending your knees slightly will enable you to control the ball more efficiently.

TIP! To keep your opponent on their toes, keep your dribbling steady and regular, then surprise them. A steady dribble interrupted by a fast dribble will take your opponent by surprise and give you the advantage.

Shoot from NBA distances to see your three-point skills improve. All the other three point lines are much closer than the NBA line. When you can shoot from the NBA range, you’ll be able to shoot from farther away than the defense expects.

TIP! Learn how make your opponent alter their path. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing defense of offense.

Improve your shooting skills by taking hundreds of different shots from all angles and distances. To improve further, work on fast dribbling just before shooting. Make eye contact with the target as you are off the ground, but not a moment sooner. This improves your accuracy.

TIP! When you come back down to earth from a rebound, try to land so that your legs are spread out wider than your shoulders to give your balance a boost. Put one hand on each side of the basketball, and hold it against your chest.

Use your hand to create a barrier between the ball and your opponent. Don’t push your opponent because that is a foul; however, you may use your free arm to create a barrier that keeps your opponent away from the ball. Simply elevate it slightly as you dribble.

TIP! Control your nerves when you are shooting. Keep your view on the basket.

Try always focusing on the location the ball goes after it exits your teams’ hands or the opponents’ hands. Rebounding will help you win the game. When you are unable to get the basketball back, the way you defended the opponent is not important.

TIP! If you are playing opposite a much larger player, just keep your body between the ball and them. Keeping your body in position will prevent them from getting a pass or being in position to shoot.

Basketball has been around for a very long time and has been a favorite of all sorts of people. Make sure that you sharpen your skills at every level. Keep that in mind, and use the tips here so your love of the game will keep you reaching new and positive heights.