Whether you’d rather cheer from bleachers or shoot the ball like a professional, you have to really understand the game if you want to truly enjoy it. Is it hard for you to understand the game? Don’t worry. Basketball is easy to learn, and quite fun. Read on for tips you’re going to use when you play, or just watch.

Would you like to completely fool the opposing team, making them look silly? The back pass is just the thing! Perform this pass by holding the ball using your dominant hand. Next, pull the ball behind your back. Then you will use your wrist and flip it in the direction you want the ball to be going. This should make it easy to trick the other team.

TIP! It is important to focus on both offense and defense when learning to play basketball. Defense ultimately determines the winner of a game of basketball.

Basketball players need to build strong core muscles. The core is the following areas: abdominal muscles, lower back muscles and hip muscles. A core that is not strong enough limits the linkage between arms and legs. Having a strong base allows the player a solid position from which to jump and accelerate during the game to help speed up their movements.

To keep passes under control, make use of hand signals. Basketball passes can be really frustrating when shot wrong. Hand signals can be a great way to find out if a teammate will be able to receive your pass. If you don’t receive a signal then realize your teammate is not able to get the pass.

You need to be quick to play good basketball. If you want the advantage, you need to be quicker than your opponents. Consistent, repetitive drilling is the key to speed. Although being fast is important, avoid playing faster than your capabilities. It’s easy to lose control when you play fast.

TIP! Want to become a better basketball player? Watch the pros! Go to as many pro games as possible, watch them on TV, or watch videos of them playing. You’ll notice that each player has a skill that they are great at.

Watch tapes of yourself playing basketball to get a more objective perspective. Are you able to see missed opportunities or ways in which you could have improved? Assess yourself honestly, but don’t be a harsh critic. Analyze your skills honestly so you can become the player you want to be.

Learn how to dribble and pass between your legs in case you are being guarded very tightly. Practice this by bouncing the ball hard between your legs as you take a step forward or back. Mastering this movement gives you a big advantage on the court.

Practice passing while looking another way. This should befuddle your opponent. If you’re doing it correctly you can fake your opponent out so he/she moves towards that direction and then you pass the ball to a wide open teammate for a shot. You must practice this move with your teammates so that everyone on your team understands what is going on.

Free Throws

To help you shoot better free throws you need to come up with a consistent routine. If you’re not consistent you’ll find yourself missing free throws. The simplest way to get better at shooting free throws is through constant repetitive motions when shooting the ball. If you do not practice this shot consistently, you may miss it during an actual game.

To help improve your ball handling skills, start incorporating your weak hand into your dribbling. If you can dribble equally well with each hand, it is simpler to get past your opponents. Tie the main hand you use behind your back so that you have to use the weak hand. Soon enough you will develop those weak hand dribbling skills.

TIP! Play by yourself to practice. These skills all help with muscle memory so you know just what to do when you’re playing in a game.

Stay on top of your footwork when attempting a rebound. The more quickly you get under the basket, the better you chance of grabbing the rebound. This gets you the rebound without you committing a foul.

Dribble hard if you don’t want the ball taken from you. This makes the ball go back to your hand quicker, so offense has reduced chances at taking it from you. If you are being guarded closely, halt your dribble and pass to an open teammate.

Do drills where you try and get the basketball up a full-court in five dribbles or less. You may find this very challenging, but once accomplished it will give you a real edge. Being able to do this lets you lead your team on a fast break and gets you to the rim that much quicker.

TIP! To keep passes under control, make use of hand signals. Players can get easily frustrated if they make a pass to players that aren’t available to catch the ball.

Mix things up offensively to keep the other team’s defense off-balance. Try to block the net by planting your foot hard. The guard will think you are slowing down and will also straighten themselves. When they do, push ahead hard and outrun them.

Strength and flexibility training can help your skills in basketball. In order to be the best you can at basketball, you need to be strong and hardy. Even the youngest kids that play will benefit from the game. As they start to get older, get them some weights to help them exercise harder. Adult players must use strength training to prevent loss of mobility, speed, and power.

If you want to improve your outside shooting skills then you need to take hundreds of shots each day from all over the court. To improve even more, practice dribbling the basketball and then pull up fast for a quick shot. Look at the target when you’re airborne and not a moment before. Doing so allows you to move more precisely and with greater accuracy.

TIP! Quick and solid footwork is what it takes to make the shot when your posting up. While actually being beneath the basket is key, establishing a good position prior to the opposition is even more so.

See how easy it can be? It’s quite a fun game, actually. Use the information you’ve just been given to perfect your game, or just perfect the contrast on your TV so you can watch the professionals in action.