TIP! A lot of novice players mostly focus on their offensive skills, but developing good defensive skills will help you become a better player. Basketball games are won because of good defense.

Countless individuals love the sport of basketball. You can play at your local park or in your driveway. Learn a little more about what basketball is all about by reading this article.

TIP! Practice hitting your free throws. The execution of a free throw is not as simple as it may appear.

Learn to correctly dribble the ball. When you dribble, only use your fingertips instead of your palms. Doing so will allow you a greater degree of ball control. Avoid dribbling in front of you and only dribble to the sides of your body. Instead of focusing on the ground, gaze upward.

TIP! When dribbling, focus on what’s in front of you by keeping your head up. If you need to look at the ball while dribbling, you’ll need to practice more.

When you dribble, look forward, keeping your head up. You haven’t practiced enough if you keep looking at the basketball while you’re dribbling. The ball can go with you when you go anywhere. Dribble as you walk down the street. If you are staring at the ball, there is no way you can know what else is happening on the court.

TIP! Balance is important when shooting. Sometimes you’ll see professional players fall out of bounds while making a shot from afar, but this doesn’t work at all times.

Be sure to get lots of practice on layups. Since layups account for the majority of scoring in a game. The best practice strategy is to go full tilt toward the hoop, then do a smooth jump shot. This technique helps improve your on-court layup skills.

TIP! Put the emphasis on your strengths can help you to be a better basketball player. The best talent you have isn’t going to have you starring in every highlight reel, but having a good skill set can benefit your team.

Ask your fellow team members which of your skills that they admire. Do you have an area where you excel? Maybe you are nimble or you are reliably there to support them. Discover what other people feel are your strongest skills and then set about perfecting them.

TIP! If you have a kid that wants to play basketball in high school, be sure they’re working on their core muscles. Hips, abdomen and back must be worked on.

Passing between the legs is something that helps when you have defense all over you. This will make it very hard for your defender to get it. This move can give you an advantage when playing a tough defense.

TIP! Make better passes through the use of coordinated hand signals. One things that’s frustrating in basketball is passing to a teammate while they try heading to the basket.

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. Jump off your left foot when you shoot using your right hand. This will keep your body properly balanced with forward momentum.

TIP! A smart tip to follow while playing basketball is to always keep your eye on the ball and not away from the play. Passes and turnovers won’t take you by surprise because you will be more aware of what is happening on the court.

A routine can enable your free throw percentage to rise. Inconsistent shooting will lead to inconsistent results. A great way to get better at free throws is to practice, practice and then practice the same routine some more. This will help you develop a routine. If that routine goes off, it will cause you to miss your shot.

TIP! Understanding your opponent is a good way to shut him down on defense. Review videotapes and monitor scouting reports.

Dribbling hard helps you protect the ball. The ball will get back to the hand faster, giving the other team less of an opportunity to grab it away. If you are being guarded closely, halt your dribble and pass to an open teammate.

TIP! Videotape your games to see what you do right and wrong. While reviewing the tape, look for opportunities you may have missed during the game.

It can help your basketball skills when you strength train. It is impossible to succeed if you lack endurance and strength. Even the youngest kids that play will benefit from the game. As they grow a bit older, they can add free weights to their strengthening routine. Strength training is essential once you reach the adult years.

TIP! Be certain that your vision is the best it can be. Not to just be able to see the scoreboard, but to actually make a shot and catch a pass.

When you are on the defense, the key is to stay as low as you can. You will be able to react more quickly and jump higher because of this. You always want to have a strong defensive stance on the court. You may have to break your stance if you must block a shot, but return as fast as you can.

TIP! Changing up your pace is something you have to do to make sure the offense is paying attention. As you approach the goal, plant your foot and then straighten up.

Bend the knees when you dribble a basketball. The basketball is much harder to control if you stand tall and the opposing team can snatch it more easily. Bending your knees will make a big difference in the way you can control the ball.

TIP! If you play basketball, you should incorporate strength training into your workout routine. You need both strength and endurance if you are going to excel.

To make your three-point shot better, practice it from the minimum NBA approved distance. The International standard line, as well as college and high school lines are all closer. When you can shoot from the NBA range, you’ll be able to shoot from farther away than the defense expects.

TIP! Keep your knees loose when you dribble the ball. If you don’t bend your knees, you are more susceptible to having the ball stolen by the other team.

Keep on dribbling until your shot or passing opportunity is imminent. Standing there without dribbling takes away most of your options on offense. If you opt to not pass or shoot, you’re left with pivoting on your back foot. If you cannot shoot or pass the ball, you are in danger of getting the ball taken away from you.

TIP! Keep dribbling until it is time to shoot or pass the ball. After you halt the dribble, your options become quite limited.

We hope this article has given you the information you need to enjoy basketball to the fullest. Practice often to perfect your skills and fine tune your natural talents. It is easy to get into playing on a regular basis. You can be a real player in no time.