Basketball is a sport that is loved all over the globe. It is so easy that people of all ages can enjoy it. While playing, you should learn to get along with your teammates. You should also learn to maintain good sportsmanship even if you lose. When you seek to know everything you can about the game of basketball, the information you find below will be invaluable.

When dribbling, your head must be up, and you need to look forward. If you start staring at the ball while you dribble, you know you need to practice more. Bring your ball along when you go out. Whenever you are walking and it is appropriate, dribble there. If you are staring at the ball, there is no way you can know what else is happening on the court.

TIP! It’s easy to focus on offense when learning to play, but your practice time would be better spent on defense. Basketball games are won more often by defense than offense.

You have to know how to bounce pass properly. In order for a bounce pass to be sufficient, the person should receive the ball around their waist. If it helps to measure it out, consider aiming for a mark on the floor about three-fourths of the way between you and your teammate. There are other factors you have to think about too, however.

Watch how the pros play basketball. Get tickets to some pro games, if possible, or catch some games on television. Watch great players to learn the specific skills that make them exceptional.

Frequently train yourself on your pass catching moves. You want to practice catching perfect passes and bad passes. During a real game, many of the passes that come your way will be off-target and tougher to handle. You’ll be helping out your team a great deal if you can catch their not so perfect passes.

TIP! When dribbling the basketball you should keep your head up. You haven’t practiced enough if you keep looking at the basketball while you’re dribbling.

Keep your skills sharp in the off-season by playing different challenging games. Basketball is a multiple player sport, but other people won’t always be around. For concentration purposes, it can be good to practice on your own. You can accomplish a lot by practicing alone. Practice free throws and layups. You can always practice.

Quality footwork will help you get better shots. Focus on positioning yourself more quickly than the opposing player is just as important as having someone beneath the hoop. Once you have gotten into position, secure your spot. Strong footwork skills help to build both types of skills.

To become a great free thrower, practice and develop a routine you will use during each shot. Always dribble the same way, or with the same movements. When you have a steady and consistent routine, your muscles will remember what to do to shoot those free throw shots.

TIP! It is vital that you learn to crossover the basketball while dribbling. In a crossover, you transfer the basketball from hand to hand.

Practice passing while looking in the opposite direction. This can go a long way toward confusing the opposition. If you can do this correctly, you’ll be able to free up time for the person that you’ve passed to. When done smoothly it can be a game changer.

Being a successful defensive player means upsetting and disrupting your opponent’s play. Don’t let your opponent get comfortable out there on the court. Display aggressiveness in your chosen moves. Don’t let them choose what plays to make. By doing so, the opponent will take advantage of you. Try to interrupt their game plan by taking charge and controlling the tempo.

Make sure that the pace changes when you are on defense. When you running towards the basket, try planting the front foot and start straightening up. This will make the guard think you’re slowing down, then they will straighten their body too. As hes does, plow forward and run by him.

TIP! Making free throws are almost as much a mental part of the game as they are a physical part. You may know how to make a free throw but if your focus is off, then you will miss.

When you are defending, keep your stance low. This stance will keep you ready for whatever comes your way. Stay in your defensive stance. When you have to break out of stance to block a shot, get back into form as quickly as possible.

Use the hand you’re not dribbling with to create a barrier between the ball and the opponent. You can’t push the person guarding you, but you can hold your arm out gently. Hold your arm slightly elevated as you dribble with the opposite hand.

It is important to eat well if you want to be in tip-top basketball shape. Basketball uses a lot of energy; therefore, it is important to fuel your body with lean protein and whole grains. Enjoy lean proteins, whole grains and nuts. Avoid sugar and salt when possible.

Love Basketball

Why do so many people love basketball? That’s because it’s fun and easy to learn to play. When you love basketball, you should learn as much as you can about it. Have fun playing, and improve your own gameplay by applying these tips.