Are you ready to learn about basketball? You love to play, and you are passionate about the sport. No one knows everything about the sport. Maybe you can learn something from this article. Read on to find out how to make the game even more special.

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 often won by the defense. Offense receives all the glory, but it is nothing without the best defense.

TIP! Free throw practice is vitally important. The free throw shot might seem simple, but it can actually be pretty difficult.

Any good basketball player needs to know how to make a layup. A huge percentage of successful shots are layups. It’s critical to practice running towards the basket at full speed and following up with a good jump and smooth shot. Practicing the running and jumping method will help you shoot better this way in a game.

It is important to know the right way to throw a bounce pass. Bounce passes should not go above or below the receiving players waist. Bounce it 3/4 of the distance to the receiver. Many other factors will affect it, too.

Observing what the professionals do can be a great way to improve your game. Try to go to games, watch televised games, or check out videos of the pros playing. When you find a player who has the skills that you want, then watch them and emulate.

TIP! Dribble while your head is up and your eyes are forward. If you start staring at the ball while you dribble, you know you need to practice more.

If you want to be a jump shooter, avoid pumping iron excessively. Muscle strength is great for any position in basketball, you can have too much when it comes to perimeter play. There have been instances where great shooters bulk up so much that it adversely affects their shooting percentage.

The key for controlling the ball well is to spread your fingers. This keeps it under control. Additionally, the palm of your hand should not come into contact with the ball. Don’t let anything but your fingers touch the ball during passing or shooting.

Play a good defense by knowing your opponent. Watch replays and follow scouting reports. Learn which of the opposing players are left-dominant and which are right-dominant. Your defensive game will be a lot more effective after you get to know your opponent. Understanding the intricacies of the game will make you a better player.

TIP! Free throws are as mental as physical. You are able to train your hands and legs to free throw well, but if you think you will fail, you will.

Concentrate on your shoulders if you have gotten into a shooting slump. No matter your skill level, you won’t make shots if your shoulders aren’t in the proper position. Your shoulders need to be squared up towards where you’re shooting. Your dominant shoulder must be lined up with the rim.

Use deception by looking elsewhere when you make passes. This should befuddle your opponent. The look will cause your guard to turn away. It’s quite a play when done properly.

In order to be good at rebounding the ball off a missed free throw, you must be quick with your feet. You’ll have a defender coming at you and this means you have to figure out what can be done to get around them. Doing this lets you get a rebound freely and not commit a foul in the process.

TIP! Don’t limit your practice to just playing against the zone defense. Most of the game is played in zone, but your opponent may try to switch things up to do man-to-man coverage.

Playing basketball well means developing good court “eyesight.” This is not just to make reading the scoreboard easier, but also to facilitate the making of shots and catching of passes. Having excellent peripheral vision is vital to do well in this game. If you look across the whole game and not just focus on the ball, you can see oncoming defensive pressure in advance, as well as open teammates.

If an opponent charges at you, let him run into you. This allows you to get the ball back for your team, setting up a foul. This can hurt the other team’s players psychologically and can also be powerful when you’re creating plays.

Improve your basketball skills by incorporating strength training into your fitness regimen. Conditioning training will also increase your stamina. It can help young kids get the exercise they need. When they become teenagers, they can start using weights to increase their exercise. Playing as an adult, it is important that you focus on your stamina for optimal performance.

TIP! Play by yourself to practice. While basketball is a team sport, sometimes you just can’t find others to play with.

To improve three-point shooting, do it from NBA distance at the very least. The line in every other league is closer. By practicing at the NBA line, you will be used to getting a look a little further than what most defenses will cover.

Now, after reading this article, you should be better prepared when playing your next game. Learning all you can will always make the game better. Keep these tips in mind as you play the game. Enjoy basketball every day!