When you first played the game of basketball, it was a whole new world. You began to figure out how to play such as shooting, dribbling and passing. Today, you may feel like you know it all and are a master of the game. The tips below can show you that there’s much more to learn.

It is tempting to concentrate just on offense when just staring out, but defensive practice is absolutely vital. Defense can make or break a basketball game. Offense is flashier, so it draws the attention of fans and journalists, but a team that can’t defend well won’t win any games.

TIP! Learn how to hit a free throw shot. The free throw shot might seem simple, but it can actually be pretty difficult.

To be a great basketball player you need to work on your balance. Even though a professional can hit all sorts of crazy off-balance shots, it is not the ideal method of shooting that you want to learn. These shots are improvisational and usually desperate attempts. If you have correct balance when you are making a shot, you will make more consistent baskets over time.

Playing basketball does not require excessive muscle development. While muscle strength is good to have in any basketball position, it is possible to have too much for perimeter play. Overdeveloped muscles could actually interfere with your score percentage.

Would you like to learn how to fool your opponent? Trick them using a back pass. Use the dominant hand whenever trying a behind the back pass. Next get the ball pulled up behind the back. Flip your wrist towards the site where you want the ball to go. This is a very useful trick to confuse the opposing team.

TIP! You should practice your crossovers a lot. This term refers to switching the hand you use.

You should always be aware of the position of your feet and their actions. Stepping your toe in a baseline with a ball in your grip will mean that you’re out of bounds. Not dribbling when you take more than a few steps will result in a walking call as well as a forfeit of the ball. A foul will result if you try to take a charge or set a pick and your feet are moving.

You now have the knowledge you need to master the game. Set goals and practice regularly if you want to hone your skills. A little effort and some new strategies can bring your game to a whole new level.