Basketball is beloved by millions worldwide. You can go play it in your driveway if you wish to, or it’s something you can do for a living if you begin early. Learn more about the game of basketball from this article.

It is tempting to concentrate just on offense when just staring out, but defensive practice is absolutely vital. Many times, defense actually wins the game. Offense gets more attention, but the team is going to lose without a strong defense.

TIP! Improving your balance means improving your shots. Having good balance will allow you to keep better control of the ball as well as play a better defense.

You need to learn the correct way to dribble the ball. Finger tips, not palms, are the key to successful dribbling. Using your fingertips will allow you to have better control when dribbling the ball. Dribble along the side of the body, not immediately in front of it, and keep the bounce to the waist level or below. Instead of focusing on the ground, gaze upward.

Work on pass catches. During practice you should come up with drills where you perfect catching bad passes along with the good ones. Some passes may be too high, too low or off target, so you should practice receiving passes often. By learning to catch errant passes, you will do your team a great favor.

Jump shooters should not also be iron pumpers. Although it’s true that strong muscles are beneficial, additional bulk can impede your ability to play effectively along the perimeter. You will notice that most basketball players have well-defined muscles that are not overdeveloped.

TIP! To improve your game, concentrate on your strong points. Your talents might not make you a star, but when you make the most of your strengths, you might better contribute to your team.

Want to trick the other team? Try the back pass. Use the dominant hand whenever trying a behind the back pass. Next, place the ball behind you. And last, flick the wrist in the direction you want the ball to go. This should should thoroughly fool your opponent.

Play basketball games with yourself during the season and before it. You may not always be able to find someone to play with you. That should not matter. It is possible to get a lot done even when playing alone. Practice free throws and layups. You can always work on something.

To keep passes under control, make use of hand signals. It can be frustrating making a pass when a player moves away towards the basket. This can be prevented through the use of hand signals. Without a signal, the ball controller shouldn’t make a pass.

TIP! Bounce passes are extremely efficient when done properly. If done correctly, a well-executed bounce pass will reach the player in a way that allows them to move immediately with the ball.

A smart tip to follow while playing basketball is to always keep your eye on the ball and not away from the play. You develop a good feel for the game around you, making it much easier to quickly react to your opponent. Also, you need to stay aware of areas which might open up and give you an easy basket.

To get better at shooting free throws, make sure to keep a consistent pre-shot routine. Always dribble the same way, or with the same movements. When you have a steady and consistent routine, your muscles will remember what to do to shoot those free throw shots.

If the opposition is hot on your tail, pass between your legs. Practice this by bouncing the ball hard between your legs as you take a step forward or back. Mastering this move can give you an advantage on the court.

Free Throws

Consistent free throws require a consistent technique. If you stay inconsistent, you miss a shot. Practice makes perfect when shooting free throws. Failing to stick with your routine can adversely affect your shooting accuracy.

You should now know what you need to do to get the most out of basketball. It really is not that hard, you just need a bit of knowledge and dedication. Once you start playing you probably will start to do so regularly. You can be a real player in no time.