Basketball is adored by folks all over the world. There are many people that don’t know how to play. This article will help to fine tune your basketball skills.

Focusing on the offense may come easily but you need to be able to focus on the defense as well., Basketball games are won because of good defense. Offense receives all the glory, but it is nothing without the best defense.

TIP! To improve your game, concentrate on your strong points. You might not become a big basketball star based on your strengths, but you will be an asset to your team.

You must learn how to dribble, how a crossover is done and other important ball handling skills. Switch from one side to the other while dribbling. The move must be done quickly if it is going to work. Once you have learned how to do a crossover, you can travel down the court quickly.

To be a better basketball player you should concentrate on the things that make you great. 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. Figure out what you do well at and then you can practice that until you perfect it.

Bounce Pass

TIP! Always work on your layups. 80% of all shots in a game are usually layups.

You have to know how to bounce pass properly. A bounce pass that’s good is going to end up hitting the other player near 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. But, there are some factors that can change this.

Free throws require both mental and physical abilities. You’re able to train your whole body to do full free throw motions, but if you’re not mentally prepared, you will fail. Relax, take your time and be focused.

Work on catching passes frequently. Don’t just work on waist-level, perfect passes, though, work on receiving tougher passes as well. When the game is going on, every pass isn’t going to make it to its target. Cover for your teammates’ errant passes by developing the hands to cover their mistakes.

TIP! If you have a kid that wants to play basketball in high school, be sure they’re working on their core muscles. Core muscles are comprised of the hips, lower back, and abdominal muscles.

Keep your skills sharp in the off-season by playing different challenging games. There are times you may not find anyone to play with you. No problem. You can still accomplish a lot when playing solo. Practice pivoting and free throw shooting. You can always hone your skills when practicing alone.

Quick and solid footwork is what it takes to make the shot when your posting up. Securing a good location is critical when playing basketball. Once you’re in the proper position, you’ll have to then secure your spot. Footwork, therefore, is crucial.

Keeping your fingers spread wide is important for holding onto the ball. That will ensure that it doesn’t get away from you as you hold it. Additionally, the palm of your hand should not come into contact with the ball. The only things that should touch the ball are your fingers, as you shoot or pass.

TIP! A smart tip to follow while playing basketball is to always keep your eye on the ball and not away from the play. You have to be aware of what is going on with the ball at all times.

Practice your footwork and control the position of your feet at all times. Stepping even a toe on the baseline with the ball in your hands means you are out of bounds. If you take too many steps and don’t dribble, then you are walking. Also, moving either foot when trying to set a screen, pick or take a charge results in a foul call.

Video tape your games, and then review your technique later. Do you see how you could’ve handled a situation differently? Appraise your performance honestly but don’t be overly harsh with yourself. There are times when it pays to view yourself realistically.

Basketball has been around for a very long time and has been a favorite of all sorts of people. You have to have the right information to truly enjoy and play the game, though. Use the information in this article to see how much better basketball can be.