You can play basketball just about anywhere. It can be played at a park or even in a cul de sac in the neighborhood. If your passion is basketball, take the time to read the following article to learn more about the sport.

Practice shooting free throws. This may seem like an easy task, but in reality, things prove otherwise. Put this technique into practice as often as you can. Start with the ball ahead of your face. Keep looking towards the goal and think about the ball getting into that goal. Bend your knees to control the arc of the ball.

TIP! It is important to focus on both offense and defense when learning to play basketball. Defense is what wins basketball games.

You need good balance when you shoot. Your knees should be bent with your feet slightly wider than your shoulders. Those who do this are improvising. Point your feet towards the basket, guide the ball with your weaker hand and push the ball away with your strong hand whenever you shoot the basketball.

You can learn how to better pass the ball if you run drills without the dribble. It is a challenge not to dribble while playing, but it will ensure the accuracy of your team’s passes. It may seem nearly impossible at first, but over time your team will learn to throw accurate passes and be in good position to receive them.

To make sure there are no errant passes, use hand signals. Players can get easily frustrated if they make a pass to players that aren’t available to catch the ball. Hand signals can be a great way to find out if a teammate will be able to receive your pass. Without a signal, players shouldn’t attempt to pass.

TIP! You need good balance when you shoot. We have all seen the professional basketball player falling out of bounds and making a basket from 30 feet away, but this is not proper technique.

Whether you enjoy the occasional casual game or compete in local tournaments, improving your skills on the court can help you get more out of the game. Use the information you have learned here. The more than you learn, the better you will play.