TIP! Focusing on the offense may come easily but you need to be able to focus on the defense as well., Defense ultimately determines the winner of a game of basketball.

People love to play and compete in the popular game of basketball, which has attracted many since its inception decades ago. To become a star in basketball, you need a strong work ethic and lots of practice. Using these tips will help you improve your basketball game.

TIP! Know how to dribble the ball in the correct way. You want to dribble with the tips of your fingers, not your whole hand.

Knowing how to perform a crossover is a must when you handle the basketball frequently. A crossover happens when you switch hands the ball is in. Your crossovers should be fast, which is why it is important to practice them. By having the ability to move either way quickly, you will become a better all-around player.

TIP! Practice your free throw shot. This kind of shot seems easy, but it really is not.

Balance is important when shooting. You’ve seen the pros fall out-of-bounds and shoot a basket up to 300 feet away, however, this isn’t proper technique. They improvise to do that. Good balance while shooting will lead to landing more baskets.

Bounce Pass

TIP! Practice your layup shot as frequently as possible. During any game, layups make up about 75 percent of the game.

A bounce pass is an important technique to learn. The bounce pass needs to reach the player at waist level. It’s generally a good idea to pass the ball about three-fourths of the distance between you and the receiving teammate. This all depends on many factors.

TIP! Free throws are as much mental as they are physical, like other parts of the game. You’re able to train your whole body to do full free throw motions, but if you’re not mentally prepared, you will fail.

Successful free throws require you to be mentally and physically strong. You must be mentally strong to be a consistent free throw shooter. Stay relaxed and just focus on the goal and you will increase your free throw rate.

TIP! Your child should work on their core muscles if they want to become a basketball player in high school. This will involve their lower back, hips, and abs.

You can improve your skills by paying attention to how the pros play. Go to professional games in person and/or watch them online or on TV. Every player has a skill that allows him to succeed. Practice their moves to become better.

Zone Defense

TIP! Your defensive game will be more successful if you know your opponents. One great way to get a better understanding of your opponent is to take the time to watch film and get information from other players or scouts.

Don’t just practice your game against the zone defense. Learn how to play a man-to-man defense and a zone defense to get the best understanding of how the game works. If you haven’t trained yourself to counter this, you could lose any control you have over the game.

TIP! When you’re trying to work out, you should build up your core strength while getting your footwork perfected. Your body will maintain balance and move more quickly when your core muscles are strong.

Develop and use a consistent routine for shooting free throws. Your shot could be off if you are inconsistent. The best way to perfect your free throw shooting technique is through repetition by practicing the same routine over and over again. You are likely to miss your shot if you’re not settled into your routine.

TIP! If you aren’t shooting the ball well, you need to concentrate on your shoulders. If your shoulders are in a bad position, no matter how good you are, you won’t make the shot.

Good footwork will help you get rebounds off your teammates’ foul shots. Your defender will move towards you, so figure out how to slither past him and grab the ball. This will get you a rebound without having to commit a foul.

TIP! You need to be quick to play good basketball. You will have the advantage over your opponents if you can really play fast.

Practice drills that force you to get the basketball to the other end of the court in less than 5 dribbles. This can seem impossible, but if you do it, you’ll get incredible speed and length. Mastering this skill can help you to really improve your game.

TIP! To avoid having the ball stolen, dribble hard. The harder you dribble, the faster the ball will return to the cup of you hand.

When you have a chance, take a charge. This play gets your team possession of the ball and a foul against your opponent. It can be a momentum changer by making the other team think twice about dribbling the ball into the lane.

TIP! Whenever possible, take advantage of an attack. By taking a charge, your team will get the ball.

With these tips fresh in your mind, go out and enjoy a game. Keep learning all you can for as long as you need to. Find out everything you can, and you can improve your game.