Do you want to learn more about basketball? You’re not the first person that has felt this way! Professional basketball players make the game look so easy. You’ll learn a lot through this article to help you become better at the game.

While focusing on offense is fun, you must also make sure you focus on defense. Defense is what wins basketball games. Offense gets all the praise and attention, but without a good defense, any basketball team is destined to lose.

TIP! Be sure to dribble correctly every time. When you dribble, only use your fingertips instead of your palms.

Learn how to maneuver a crossover if you have the ball fairly often. This move entails transferring the basketball from your left hand to your right hand and back again. This should be something you do quickly. Crossovers can help you get out of a tight spot.

Successful free throws require you to be mentally and physically strong. You must train both your body and your mind. Relax and focus on the basket; this will help you succeed.

Try playing basketball games alone before and during the season. Even though basketball is usually played with teams, it is sometimes the case that there just isn’t anyone around to play with. That’s OK! You can accomplish a lot by practicing alone. You can practice many different techniques, such as your free throw routine. There are many things you can work on.

TIP! When dribbling, make sure that you look forward and keep your head up. If you have to ever look at the ball while dribbling, then you haven’t practiced that enough.

You can play a great defensive game if you know the opposition well. Pay attention to how they play. See if you can determine each players strong and weak sides. Knowing your opponent well helps you be much more effective. A smart defensive player is a strong one.

If the opposition is hot on your tail, pass between your legs. Refine this skill by bouncing a ball with force between the legs while stepping backwards or forwards. If you can master this move, it will give you quite the advantage when you are on the court.

Free Throw

TIP! Learn what a crossover is and how to do it. Switch from one side to the other while dribbling.

Create a routine to improve your free throw success. If you don’t have one, your accuracy may suffer. You should work on your free throw techniques as much as possible until they become a second nature. If you break your routine, you’ll start missing shots.

In conclusion, you may enjoy basketball and just didn’t know much about it before you read this. However, after you’ve gathered additional knowledge about the game through this article, maybe you feel like getting out on the court and being a pro yourself. Keep reading to learn how you can improve your game!