Well it’s time to learn about some basketball. You are a player; you love the game. However, you might not know everything, and you probably realize that. With that knowledge in mind, you are likely to be taught a tip or two that you did not know before. The following article will give you some great basketball tips that you don’t want to miss.

Many people forget that defense is as important as offense during practice. Basketball games are won with a good defense. Offense is often what gets the glory, but most winning basketball teams play great defense.

TIP! When dribbling, make sure you hold your head high and look straight ahead. Lack of practice will manifest itself in looking down towards the ball when dribbling.

You can improve your skills by paying attention to how the pros play. Watch as many games on TV as you can. Every player has a skill that allows him to succeed. Practice their moves to become better.

If you’re on the offense, you footwork needs to be excellent to stay open for passes and shots. Although physical presence under the basket is important, getting to a good spot before your opponent does is even more important. Once you find a spot, you need to know how to defend it. These will both require powerful footwork.

Never play through an injury on the court. This is a physically challenging game, so you may end up hurt much worse. Playing through an injury can prolong it which is always bad. Be sure to seek medical care if you have a serious injury.

TIP! Crossing over is a vital skill to have for handling the basketball. A crossover means moving the ball between your hands.

When working out, focus on building your core strength and perfecting your footwork. By developing strong core muscles, you will be able to recover quickly and keep your balance. Your muscles in your buttocks, hips, abdomen, and back should be worked. Just like boxers, you can improve your footwork and speed by jumping rope.

Ask someone to take a video of you playing and watch it. Looking at tapes can help you identify strengths and weaknesses. Look at how you did and judge yourself. There are times when it pays to view yourself realistically.

To be a good dribbler, and a more versatile player, you have to develop not only your dominant hand but your weaker side as well. Opponents are a lot easier to blow by when you can dribble with ease using both hands. Hold the dominant hand behind the back and make certain you use just the weak hand. Eventually, your weak hand will be trained to dribble properly.

TIP! To be a great basketball player you need to work on your balance. Falling when you make a shot is not the right way to shoot.

Using the information you got here, you can hit the court with new-found energy. Finding out more about basketball can prove to be helpful. Once you have gained new skills and improved old ones with these tips, you can amaze your spectators. Basketball is fun to play and it’s a great sport to be a part of.