Do you enjoy basketball but feel like you’re behind on knowing all about it? You are not alone! Professional basketball players make the game look so easy. This article is packed with useful ideas and insights to help you become a better player.

You need to learn the correct way to dribble the ball. Don’t use your palm, use your fingers. Dribbling this way improves your ball control dramatically. Dribble to your body’s side instead of doing it out front, and bounce the ball at your waist’s level. Always look up and never look down at the ground.

TIP! Find out how to make free throw shots. These shots may seem easy, but they can be quite difficult.

Dribble while keeping your head upward and looking ahead. You need more practice if you feel that you cannot dribble without focusing on the ball. Make the basketball an extension of your body, taking it wherever you are. Dribble the ball while you’re walking around. Staring at the ball doesn’t allow you to watch the other players.

Learn the way to throw proper bounce passes. It needs to get to the player at 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. This all depends on many factors.

Want to become a better basketball player? Watch the pros! Go to professional games in person and/or watch them online or on TV. You’ll be able to learn from the moves they make.

TIP! You need to keep your balance if you’re shooting. Everyone has watched a pro player drift out of bounds while still making their shot, but this isn’t something to emulate.

Want to make the other team not know what’s going on? Try a back pass. You want to grip the basketball with your strongest hand. Then, move the basketball around your rear. And last, flick the wrist in the direction you want the ball to go. This should help to trick the other team.

Ask your teammates what they like about how you play. Is there something that you excel at? Perhaps you have good dribbling skills or maybe your footwork is enviable. It’s great to get an idea of how your teammates think of your skills, this way you know what areas of the game to focus on.

Make sure, no matter what else happens, you can see where the ball is. This will make you more aware of the court and you won’t be surprised when turnover potentials come up or quick passes. Also, keep your eyes on areas that open up on the court for an easy basket.

TIP! A bounce pass is an important technique to learn. Bounce passes should not go above or below the receiving players waist.

Now that you have read this article, you probably know a lot more about basketball than you did before. But, now that you have read this article, you hopefully feel like you are ready to play like a pro. Follow this helpful advice to get started playing basketball.