Basketball is a time honored sport which offers entertainment to those playing as well as those watching the game. If you are interested in the game, you must have the proper skills and the right mindset. Finish this article, because it has knowledge you can use.

Improving your balance means improving your shots. You have seen how pros shoot a basket from thirty feet away and fall out of bounds, which is not the right technique. Taking a shot when you are off balance will probably lead to a turnover. Having a good foundation under you while shooting will always yield better results over time as you keep on practicing and honing your skills.

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.

Every great player understands how to properly perform a bounce pass. It needs to get to the player at their waist. One thing you should do is always remember the ball should be bounced three quarters on its way towards the person you’re passing too. At the same time, take into account any other extraneous factors that may affect the pass.

Want to become a better basketball player? Watch the pros! Watch as many games on TV as you can. Every truly great player has unique skills that you can learn from.

Don’t bulk up if you want to be good as a jump shooter. While muscle mass is good for any basketball position, perimeter play requires less than other positions. Some professional shooting guards made their arms so big that it started decreasing their field goal percentage.

TIP! Perfect your free throw. This looks easy, but it is actually very hard to do.

Try using hand signals to ensure that your passes are received. It can be frustrating making a pass when a player moves away towards the basket. Avoid this with hand signals that let you know if the player is open to receiving the pass. If you don’t see a signal, you shouldn’t pass the ball.

Don’t play when you are injured! Basketball is very physical and there’s always a risk of injury. You can quickly turn a strain into a debilitating medical issue if you do not take a break from the action. See a doctor if the injury is serious enough.

You can improve your control of the ball by spreading your fingers. This makes sure that it does not escape away from your grip. Your palm should touch the ball as little as possible. Only your fingers should touch it during a pass or when dribbling.

TIP! The way to properly dribble is to keep your head up while looking ahead of you. By focusing your sight on the ball, you cannot be fully aware of your surroundings.

When your shooting isn’t accurate, check out your shoulder position. Regardless of your skill level, if you don’t have your shoulders positioned correctly, you will miss. Your shoulders should always be square towards the basket. The dominant shoulder needs to be aligned correctly with the rim.

A solid routine is necessary for improvement in free throw shooting. If you don’t have one, your accuracy may suffer. A great way to get better at free throws is to practice, practice and then practice the same routine some more. If you are off your game, you will not make the shot.

Use small weights and resistance training to build the muscles in both forearms and hands. Strong hands make it easier for you to keep control of the basketball. You can’t just stand and shoot for the whole game. You have to get the ball around, too.

TIP! You need good balance when you shoot. Everyone has seen professional basketball players make a shot from 20 feet away as they are falling.

Stay in your defensive stance while defending your basket against opponents. Use your opposite foot to push with or slide your feet around. Remember not to let yourself get crossed up with your feet, which will throw off your balance, making it easier to get around you.

Changing up your pace is something you have to do to make sure the offense is paying attention. When you’re moving towards the net, act like you’re going to straighten up. You will have the guard think that you’re slowing down. In turn, they will straighten themselves. When that happens, push ahead and run past.

When you are on the defense, the key is to stay as low as you can. This helps your jumps become quicker and betters your reaction to the person before you simpler. Always maintain a defensive position during game play. When you have to break out of stance to block a shot, get back into form as quickly as possible.

TIP! Practice your layup shot often. A huge percentage of successful shots are layups.

Practice dribbling by switching momentum. This will help you learn to dribble during all different kinds of situations. You might be swarmed by various opponents or get an open court. Going through the court will be easier if you can quickly adjust your direction without interrupting your dribbling. It will allow you to escape trouble a lot of the time.

Do exercises that will assist you in becoming a better player. Sprinting exercises can help you to become faster, while running for long distances can assist you in making it through the whole game. You can acquire muscle through weightlifting that helps with hustling and shooting. The passion which results will help you become a better shooter.

When shooting, try to keep your nerves under control. Focus on the basketball hoop. Specifically, make it a habit to look right behind the basket when you take a shot. However, when making a lay-up, focus sharply on the section of the backboard where you will bank the ball.

TIP! Better your basketball skills by watching the pros play. Go to professional games in person and/or watch them online or on TV.

Pivoting is something you must do if you wish to get good at basketball. It is important to practice how you move your feet, so you can pivot by instinct, without stopping to think about where to put your feet. Practice pivoting stance and work to react quickly when you obtain the ball.

If you have the right tips in mind as you practice basketball, you will find the game becomes easier and more enjoyable. Take your time and go over other articles as well as videos so that you can keep learning more. Grasp as much knowledge as you can to help simplify the game for you.