Basketball is a great game where there is always something new. The game changes constantly, so you have to learn the nuances of the modern game. Want to better your opponents? Continue reading to find out more.

It’s natural to be drawn towards offense as a novice, but the pros know defense is where the game is won or lost. Basketball games are won because of good defense. While offense seems to get the praise, defense must be stellar in order to win.

Free Throws

Make sure you learn how to shoot free throws. These shots may seem easy, but they can be quite difficult. Use the following directions to perfect free throws and practice often. Begin by holding the ball directly in front of your face. Focus on the ball and visualize it going toward the goal. Then, use the trajectory you just visualized and shoot the ball.

Keep your head up when you dribble. If you’ve got your eye on the ball while you’re dribbling, you haven’t mastered it yet. Take the ball with you wherever you go. Whenever you are walking and it is appropriate, dribble there. Maintaining unbroken visual contact with the ball makes it difficult to be aware of your surroundings.

TIP! Make sure you dribble properly by keeping your head held up, facing forward. You need more practice if you feel that you cannot dribble without focusing on the ball.

You need to keep your balance if you’re 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 are not doing it right. Good balance while shooting will lead to landing more baskets.

Practice your pass catching often. During practice you should come up with drills where you perfect catching bad passes along with the good ones. During a game, not all of your passes will hit the mark. So you should do the team a favor by knowing how to take in any kind of a pass that comes from someone.

Proper handling of the ball requires that your fingers be spread apart. This makes sure that it does not escape away from your grip. Don’t let your palm touch the ball either. You should try your best to only hold onto the ball with your fingertips when passing and shooting.

TIP! When using the ball a lot, you must relearn a crossover. Crossovers involve sending the basketball from one of your hands over to the other one.

Now you know how to be king of the court. These techniques will help improve your game. Practice daily and continue learning. Keep these tips in mind and be the best basketball player you can be!