Years ago, basketball was invented by Dr. This happened in the year of 1891. Since that time, it’s exploded into a beloved sport by many. Players who excel in basketball have become household names. It then went from him to Magic Johnson to make the best players into celebrities. Read on to learn from the successes of some of the greats.

Having a pre-free-throw shot routine will help you become dependable at free throws. This could mean dribbling twice, shaking out your head to loosen your neck or whatever else makes you comfortable. As long as this is a quick set of movements and it’s consistent, you won’t have any trouble having your body memorize what you’re doing.

TIP! Free throws are an excellent skill to practice in your spare time. This is something that seems simple, but in reality it can be hard.

Being a good defensive player means disrupting the game of your opponent. Get them outside their comfort zone. Make aggressive plays. Never allow them to decide what plays will be made. If they do, they’ll dominate you. Rather, you move first so that you interfere with their rhythm.

A good drill to try is the five dribble drill. You try to get the ball the entire length of the court in only five dribbles. You will need to learn how to push the basketball in front of you while making long strides. It can mean easier lay-ups when dealing with fast breaks and it can help your teammates for just a moment.

Be sure your vision is unobstructed. You will need it for more than checking the scoreboard or passing and shooting. Working to improve you peripheral vision will help you become a more successful player. When you can see the big picture, you can react to anything.

TIP! Teach yourself to throw bounce passes correctly. The bounce pass needs to reach the player at waist level.

Make sure that the pace changes when you are on defense. Plant a foot and start to straighten your body. Your opponent will see you as stopping, then will also stop themselves. When they do, try pushing forward hard and running right past them.

If you want to make a 2-3 zone into something special, have the guards remain put until the opposing team’s guard makes their way about ten feet in from mid-court. They can then run toward the point guard to trap him. Concurrently, have forwards go to the wings. Their point guard will probably hurl a pass that is easy for your own forwards to steal.

Use the hand you aren’t dribbling with to keep the opponent away from the ball. You can’t push with that arm, but it can serve as an obstacle that helps keep your opponent from reaching in. You should try to keep your barrier arm up slightly when you are dribbling.

TIP! Free throws are as much mental as they are physical. Of course, you can show your body how to make free throws.

To become a great player talk with your teammates and learn what they have planned. Basketball is a sport played by a team. This means that offense and defense doesn’t mean one on one. Everyone should help each other. If you believe others can help you improve, let them know. The result benefits you and your entire team.

Team Members

Foster a positive relationship with your team members regardless of whether you are playing or practicing. Basketball is one of those games that goes to another level when a team gels completely. The better you know your team members, the better you’ll both play.

TIP! Do you want to fool the other team? Back passes can give your team the opportunity to score while the other team is still wondering what happened. To properly perform this pass you will need to have the ball in your dominant hand.

To succeed in basketball you should learn how to change the path of your opponent. It is irrelevant whether you are playing defense or offense; in both cases, your ability to control the direction of your opponent is critical. This opens up passing lanes and shooting chances when you’re on offense and can help create turnovers when you’re on defense.

Don’t double dribble. A double dribble is when you stop dribbling, then start again. Once dribbling is done, you must either shoot or pass the ball. You cannot start dribbling again. If you do, it’s called a turnover and your opponent will be given the ball.

Your position immediately before and after a rebound can help determine whether or not you will keep possession. Use both feet to jump and then get the ball using both hands. After rebounding, land with wide feet to keep your balance, and clutch the ball to your chest.

TIP! In order to handle the ball correctly, spread your fingers out. You are more likely to hold onto the ball this way.

In order to play, all you need is 9 more players, a hoop measured out at 10 feet, and a court that is nearly 100 feet in length. To play your best, you must have good knowledge. What you learned here is just the beginning, and now you need to study more and practice well to hopefully one day become a great.