Basketball is an extremely popular sport in many countries. Whether you enjoy watching games, playing for a team or simply playing in the yard, basketball will always be around. Those who play the game are always interested in improving. In this article, we will discuss excellent tips that will help you become the best player possible to help your team win.

Pay attention to what you are good at. Your team will benefit more if you stop trying to be the star of the game and work your best. Perfect what you can do well by practicing and developing the strengths you already have.

TIP! Dribble properly. Finger tips, not palms, are the key to successful dribbling.

Improve your passing abilities by challenging yourself to perform drills without actually dribbling. It’s tough to play basketball minus the dribbling, and it causes you to pass accurately. Work through the initial frustration and see how the challenge will improve your game in the long run.

You can learn to trick the opposing team. Give the back pass a try! To accomplish this pass, grasp the ball using your dominant hand. Next, pull the ball behind your back. The last step is to flick your wrist in the direction you want the ball to land. This is a good way to trick your opponents.

Footwork is what gets you ready for a shot. While physical positioning is important, it is even more essential to move quicker than an opponent. You need to be sure your spot is secure. Footwork is the key to either of these.

TIP! Practice your passes and catches frequently. Try to catch all of the passes that are thrown to you.

Keep your eye on the ball. That will keep you aware, so you don’t get surprised by turnovers or quick passes. Knowing where the other players are on the court helps you open passing lanes and gives you more opportunities to take a shot.

Remember to spread your fingers when handling the ball. That makes sure that you don’t lose the ball when you hold it. Avoid putting your palm on the ball, too. Don’t let anything but your fingers touch the ball during passing or shooting.

Play a good defense by knowing your opponent. Watch replays and follow scouting reports. Know which team members are right handed and which ones are left handed. Studying your opponent is one of the best ways to be able to win the game. A smart defender is someone who is good at his position.

TIP! Don’t just practice playing against a 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.

Be aware of what your feet are doing and where they are. Just touching the baseline is going to get you called out of bounds. Taking a lot of steps when you’re not dribbling means you’re traveling and that’s a turnover call. Moving your feet as you are setting a screen or pick usually results in you being called for a foul.

Clearly, lots of ways to bolster your game play exist. It can be easy when you practice. Practice makes perfect, and basketball is no exception. It helps to be near a basketball net as often as possible. You can practice in lots of ways. Play with kids for fun, play with your friends, practice with your teammates; no matter what, it will help.