Basketball is more than just an activity you run around in during gym class. It is possible to play the game anywhere, including on your lawn or at a court at the park. If you love the game of basketball, you should keep reading to learn all that you can about this exciting game!

Make sure you spend your time focusing on your strengths. Even though your best abilities might not make you stand out each game, it is sure to help you contribute to the overall success of the team. Understand where you excel, and work on those talents until they are perfected.

TIP! Dribble the ball the right way. Don’t use your palm, use your fingers.

Bounce passes are important in the game of basketball. If done correctly, a well-executed bounce pass will reach the player in a way that allows them to move immediately with the ball. One good rule of thumb is to bounce the ball around three quarters of the way to the other player. There are, however, other factors that influence the pass.

Practice the skill of pass catching. When you practice, mix it up so that you can catch perfect passes and errant throws. This will help you catch those bad passes during a game. So you should do the team a favor by knowing how to take in any kind of a pass that comes from someone.

Practice using different types of defenses. Zone play will be important, but man-to-man will pop up from time to time, too. If your practice hasn’t included this type of scenario, you might lose control rapidly.

TIP! Look forward and hold your head up while you dribble the ball. If you are looking at the ball for any reason while dribbling, you have not put in enough practice.

Lifting weights too much can actually take away from your jump shot. You do need muscle conditioning and strength, but you can have too much when it comes to shooting field goals. Some guards increase their upper body to the point of harming their field goals.

Would you like to pull one over on the other team? Try a back pass. To work it, place the ball in your most dominant hand. The next step is to draw the ball behind you. Lastly, flick the wrist in the direction you want the ball to go. This should trick the opposing team.

No matter if you’re playing competitive basketball or just a friendly game of horse, improving your basketball skill-set can make the game much more enjoyable. After reading this article, it is time to implement the tips. Your playing style will improve with the more knowledge that you learn.