Do you want to learn about basketball? It’s not just you! Few people know what it takes to shoot, pass, and block like professional players. This article contains tips used by them.

Offensive Skills

TIP! Many people forget that defense is as important as offense during practice. Basketball games are often won by great defensive play.

A lot of novice players mostly focus on their offensive skills, but developing good defensive skills will help you become a better player. Defense is what keep the other team from scoring. Offensive skills are usually the most impressive ones but defense is something every team should work on.

Crossing over is a vital skill to have for handling the basketball. Switch from one side to the other while dribbling. Speed determines the success of the crossover move. A good crossover dribble can give you the opportunity to switch directions and progress on the court much faster.

Get educated on the way to properly pass the ball on a bounce. Bounce passes need to be at waist level when received. Aim for a firm bounce pass that hits the ground around 3/4 of the distance between you and the intended player. There are many factors which come into play, though.

TIP! You must become knowledgeable about hitting a free-throw shot. That’s a shot that appears simple but is actually difficult in reality.

Watch how the pros play basketball. You can follow the pros in online videos, on TV and you can also attend a basketball game if there is a pro team in your area. When you find a player who has the skills that you want, then watch them and emulate.

It is important to practice catching the ball from others as much as passing. Try to catch all of the passes that are thrown to you. During a game, not all of your passes will hit the mark. Cover for your teammates’ errant passes by developing the hands to cover their mistakes.

Would you like to pull one over on your opponents? The back pass is just the thing! To do a back pass, begin by grasping the basketball using your dominant hand. Then, put the ball around your back. Then, quickly snap your wrist toward the location where you want the ball to end up. You can use this action to deceive your opponents.

TIP! Crossing over is a vital skill to have for handling the basketball. Being able to dribble the ball with both hands and crossover between the two will make you a better player.

Keep your skills sharp in the off-season by playing different challenging games. It is possible to enjoy this team sport even in the absence of your team. That is okay. You can still do a lot on your own. Work on free throws or practice pivot moves. You can always work on something.

Good footwork is essential to escaping coverage and putting yourself in position to take a shot when you are posting up. Although physical presence under the basket is important, getting to a good spot before your opponent does is even more important. After grabbing the position, you need to hold the area. Practicing your footwork is important to master these skills.

The tips you’ve just read can elevate you from a casual enthusiast to an effective basketball player. But, now that this article has been read, you should be prepared to start playing like a professional. So get out there and get a pick up game going and put those skills to use.