Now’s the time to learn all about basketball. You’re a player, and you love the sport. Skills and talents can always be improved. Perhaps you will pick up a few new ideas from the information provided here. Read on to find out how to become a better player.

When learning the game of basketball, it’s easy to get caught up in offensive play. But you should also give plenty of attention to defense. Defense is what stands between you and a win. While everyone focuses on shots made, a good defense can kill the chances of even an amazing shot taker.

TIP! You need to learn the correct way to dribble the ball. When dribbling the basketball, use your fingertips rather than the palm of your hand.

A great way to bolster your basketball ability is to observe those who are considered to be the best in the sport. Attend as many professional games as you can, watch the pros on TV, or watch video of professionals. You’ll see that every great player has specific skills that cause them to be great and you have the opportunity to practice what you’re watching them do.

Perform skills, practice your ball handling and shoot free throws when you are practicing alone. Basketball is usually a team sport, but just because you can’t find others, doesn’t mean you have to just stop thinking about it. That is okay. In solo games, you can accomplish quite a bit. Practice pivoting and free throw shooting. Many things can be practiced.

When you’re trying to work out, you should build up your core strength while getting your footwork perfected. Your body will maintain balance and move more quickly when your core muscles are strong. Concentrate your efforts on the back, abdomen, buttocks and hips. Similar to boxers, jumping rope can better your speed and footwork.

TIP! You need to keep your balance if you’re shooting. You’ve seen the pros fall out of bounds when trying to shoot 30 feet from the basket; this is a bad move.

Learn to pass the ball without looking at your intended target. This should befuddle your opponent. The look will cause your guard to turn away. It really can be a powerful technique.

Free Throw

A solid routine is necessary for improvement in free throw shooting. If you are inconsistent then your shot will be off. Practicing your free throw again and again is the only way to perfect it. If you do not practice this shot consistently, you may miss it during an actual game.

TIP! Make sure you spend your time focusing on your strengths. Your best talent may not make you the star of every game, but learning to play your best angle will help you contribute more to the team.

Practice drills where you strive to make it across the full court within 5 dribbles. While this is a challenging goal, working toward it will make you a much better player. Being able to do this lets you lead your team on a fast break and gets you to the rim that much quicker.

Now you should be more confident in your game the next time you play. It’s wonderful to learn something new and see how it ends up working for you. Keep these tips in mind to help you get better at basketball than you ever imagined. Basketball is a terrific and enjoyably sport.