One of the most popular sports is basketball. From watching the NBA to playing, it’s so much fun to participate in. If you enjoy playing, imagine how much more fun it would be if you were a better player. While you can’t win them all, you sure can bring your game to the next level.

Learn the way to throw proper bounce passes. In order for a bounce pass to be sufficient, the person should receive the ball around their waist. One good rule is for you to bounce the basketball most of the way toward the other player. Of course, there are factors that should be taken into consideration when passing using the bouncing technique.

TIP! Be sure to dribble correctly every time. Use fingertips to dribble.

Free throws require both mental and physical abilities. You must be mentally strong to be a consistent free throw shooter. Stay focused and vigilant to improve your ability to make free throws.

When it is not basketball season, keep in practice by shooting baskets and practicing your skills. It is possible to enjoy this team sport even in the absence of your team. There is nothing wrong with that. Solo games also help. Maybe work on those free throws or practice your pivoting. There is no shortage of things you can do.

If you post up, you need to use good footwork to get open and make sure you get a good shot. While actually being beneath the basket is key, establishing a good position prior to the opposition is even more so. Having found a good spot, you must secure it. Each of these skills is reliant on good footwork.

TIP! If you want to excel, you have to play to your strengths. If you can rely on your strengths, you will become a better player.

When you’re trying to work out, you should build up your core strength while getting your footwork perfected. You will stay balanced if your core is strong. Work your ab, back, hip and buttocks muscles. Just like with boxing, you can do a little speed and footwork training with a jump rope.

Quickness is a blessing in basketball. Make an effort to do all things on the court more speedily than the opposing team. You need to really drill to get to the point where you can play fast. Though, you should never attempt to a play faster game than your abilities permit. Playing beyond your capabilities will lead to bad passes and lots of turnovers.

Passing between the legs is something that helps when you have defense all over you. Try practicing this by bouncing your ball hard in between your legs while stepping forward or backward. Once you get the move down, you can use it to gain a tactical advantage.

TIP! Don’t limit your practice to just playing against the zone defense. Though much of the game is sure to be played within a zone pattern, the opposition may try to go man-to-man in order to confuse you.

To play good defense, you have to upset and disrupt your opponent. Do not allow your opponent to become comfortable with their style, or yours. When making a move, be aggressive. Never let them control the game plays. You should never let an opponent control what you do on the court. You need to adopt an aggressive style and react quickly so you can interrupt the patterns set by your opponents.

Use small weights and resistance training to build the muscles in both forearms and hands. One important exercise is wrist curls, which help you with your dribbling. One thing that is important to remember is that it is difficult to be static and be a scorer. You must move the ball to have things happen.

Make sure the ball doesn’t bounce above your knees when you dribble. This makes it more difficult for the opponent to take the ball. You will have to bend a little to make this happen, but it will keep you moving down the court quickly, especially since you are thwarting everyone trying to get to you.

TIP! Jump shooters should not also be iron pumpers. While muscle strength is good to have in any basketball position, it is possible to have too much for perimeter play.

When dribbling, use your other arm to create a wall between you and your opponent. It’s a foul to push your opponents, but using your arm as a barrier is allowed and will help you to secure the ball. Keep is slightly up as you dribble with your other hand.

Make sure that you are exercising properly for basketball. Sprinting will help you develop speed, while running long distances will help you develop great stamina. Additionally, weightlifting and resistance training will help you develop the muscles needed for those long distance shots. The confidence and aggression that result also help you more than anything when shooting.

Having good communication on the court with teammates is a great way to play. Each team has multiple players on it. Do not look at playing defense or offense as something to be undertaken by just you and a single opponent. Everyone has each others’ backs. When everyone works together, you can play better as a team.

TIP! If you get hurt during a basketball game, don’t try to play while in pain. Basketball is physically demanding, and it is easy to get hurt.

If you are a basketball player you should be eating a healthy diet. Basketball uses a lot of energy; therefore, it is important to fuel your body with lean protein and whole grains. The best additions are whole wheats, grains, poultry and nuts. Limit your consumption of salt and sugar.

Create a strong team environment on and off the court. When a basketball team gels fully, their game can reach entirely new heights. If you know your team like the backs of your hands and you fully trust them, you should see your game really take off!

Hopefully, now you understand what it takes to play better. Some techniques are easy to learn through practice. Practice is really the secret to becoming a master of anything, so be sure you have a hoop, ball and free time available regularly. Whether it is practice with your team, playing a pickup game with friends or even just playing with younger players for fun, it all adds up to better skills and sharing the love of basketball.