The inventor of basketball was Dr. It is an extremely popular sport all over the world today. After that it has become something that a lot of people have fallen in love with. Players who excel in basketball have become household names. J or Magic Johnson, basketball has turned players into celebrities. If you’d like to play just like them, continue reading.

Many people forget that defense is as important as offense during practice. Defense is essential to winning these games. While offensive players sometimes seem like the stars of the show, it is the efforts of defensive players that allow them to shine.

TIP! Practice shooting free throws. This may seem like an easy task, but in reality, things prove otherwise.

Learn to correctly dribble the ball. Instead of using your palm to dribble focus on using your fingertips. You’ll have a lot more control over the ball this way. Always dribble to your side, not your front. Never look at the ground. Always look up.

Look forward and hold your head up while you dribble the ball. If you must look at the ball while dribbling, you haven’t practiced enough. Wherever you go, take your ball with you. Walking to your mailbox? Dribble the ball. If you’re trying to look at the ball then you’re not concentrating on what’s going on down the court.

If you hold the ball a lot, you have to learn crossovers. Switch from one side to the other while dribbling. This should be something you do quickly. When done properly, crossover dribbling is a great way to quickly switch direction or move around the court in an efficient manner.

TIP! Dribble while your head is up and your eyes are forward. If you must look at the ball while dribbling, you haven’t practiced enough.

One of the most important skills when playing basketball is balance. We have all seen the professional basketball player falling out of bounds and making a basket from 30 feet away, but this is not proper technique. They have just improvised, is all. You need to maintain good balance while shooting, which is sure to produce greater consistency.

To be a better basketball player you should concentrate on the things that make you great. Your talent might not make you a star; however, learning your strengths will help you become a better team player. Understand where you excel, and work on those talents until they are perfected.

It is important to practice catching the ball from others as much as passing. When you practice, mix it up so that you can catch perfect passes and errant throws. During a hectic game, every throw is not going to be perfect. So you should do the team a favor by knowing how to take in any kind of a pass that comes from someone.

TIP! If you typically handle the ball a lot, it pays to learn the crossover. This is when the ball is moved from hand to hand.

Prior to basketball season, and even during it, you can play solo games. You may not always be able to find someone to play with you. There’s nothing wrong with that. There are many ways that you can improve your game alone. Practice pivoting and free throw shooting. You can always practice.

If you’re shooting isn’t what you’d like it to be, make sure that your shoulders are in the correct position. If your shoulders are in a bad position, no matter how good you are, you won’t make the shot. Keep your shoulders square in line with the basket. Try to line your dominant shoulder up with the rim.

If you want to better your dribble, start practicing with your weaker hand. Using both hands to dribble makes you a more effective player, especially when you’re trying to get past your opponent. Try tying the dominant hand behind you and forcing yourself to just using your weak hand. Your dribbling skills will improve with your weaker hand.

TIP! Passing quickly without dribbling is a great way to practice. It is hard to play a game when you don’t dribble, but it will help you to be sure that everyone is passing accurately.

Improve both forearms and hands to improve ball control. Strong hands make it easier for you to keep control of the basketball. Don’t believe you will be able to simply plant yourself someplace, receive the ball and sink a shot. You have to be ready to move fast and change directions on a dime.

Prevent the opposing team from stealing the ball by dribbling hard. This speeds up the dribbling cycle, which means the person covering you has less of a chance to steal the ball each cycle. When someone is right on top of you, pass the ball instead of dribbling.

Drills should be done where you attempt to get your basketball up the court within five dribbles or even less than that. You will need to learn how to push the basketball in front of you while making long strides. This will help you accomplish great layups on those fast breaks.

TIP! Building core muscle is key to playing great basketball. The core muscles include the lower back, hips and abdonimals.

If you want to boost your weaker hand skills, use it whenever you can, be it opening jars or just brushing your teeth. Try becoming ambidextrous outside of the court, and you will soon find that you do not have a weaker hand when playing basketball. This will help you with your basketball game also.

Keep your dribbling in a rhythm until you want to throw your opponent off guard. A steady dribble interrupted by a fast dribble will take your opponent by surprise and give you the advantage. The speed is important, but it works in tandem with the sound to disorient the player who is guarding you.

In order to play a game of regulation basketball, you need a court that almost measures a football field, a hoop ten feet in height and ten players. In depth knowledge is key to being a good player. Start with the tips presented here and continue to add to your knowledge of basketball.