The joy that so many find from basketball, both as players and fans, is never overestimated. The truth is that a lot of people could stand to learn more about this exciting sport. Use the following advice to learn more about the game that you love.

Dribbling the ball the right way needs to be done. You need to use the tips of your fingers rather than your hand’s palm when you are dribbling. Using your fingertips provides you with more control. Also, dribble off to the side instead of in front. The ball should bounce no higher than your waist. Look up, not down.

TIP! You need to keep your balance if you’re shooting. Sometimes you’ll see professional players fall out of bounds while making a shot from afar, but this doesn’t work at all times.

Practice shooting free throws. This seems like an easy shot, but it is quite hard. Practice a lot with the following method. Place the ball right in line with your face. Focus on the basket and picture the ball slipping into the net. Bend your knees to control the arc of the ball.

The way to properly dribble is to keep your head up while looking ahead of you. Looking at your ball when you dribble indicates that you haven’t practiced enough. If you are just getting started, bring your ball with you everywhere. Dribble the ball as you go about your day doing errands like walking the dog. If you’re looking at the basketball, you won’t be able to see what is coming at you.

Want to become a better basketball player? Watch the pros! It is important that you see how other people play the game. You’ll notice that each player has a skill that they are great at. Choose a move that you like and start practicing it.

TIP! Every great player understands how to properly perform a bounce pass. Bounce passes need to be at waist level when received.

You should practice against a variety of defense types, not just zone. Zone play will be important, but man-to-man will pop up from time to time, too. If your practice hasn’t included this type of scenario, you might lose control rapidly.

Jump shooters should not also be iron pumpers. Being weighed down by too much bulky muscle can have a negative impact on your jump shot. If your arms are too big, your field goal percentage will go down.

Interested in tricking your opponents? Back passes are a great way to confuse other players. To start, grab the ball using your good hand. Then, put the ball around your back. Then, quickly snap your wrist toward the location where you want the ball to end up. It can be a dangerous maneuver that catches the other team off guard.

TIP! Learn how to block out movement, noise and other distractions when taking a free throw. You may know how to make a free throw but if your focus is off, then you will miss.

Building core muscle is key to playing great basketball. These core muscles for basketball include your lower back, hips and abs. The core connects the lower and upper extremities, and if a person has a weak core, they will fail to excel in athletic pursuits. A strong core helps you jump higher and run faster.

If you’re on the offense, you footwork needs to be excellent to stay open for passes and shots. There are two important points you must remember. You must create a physical presence below the basket, and you must secure a good spot in advance of your opponent. You need to be sure your spot is secure. The key to this relies on having good footwork.

When injuries occur on the court, it is unwise to keep on playing. Basketball is physically demanding, and injuries are relatively common. Trying to play while injured will just make your situation worse. If the pain is bad, visit a doctor.

TIP! Would you like to completely fool the opposing team, making them look silly? Consider the back pass. To do a back pass, begin by grasping the basketball using your dominant hand.

The key to ball control is to spread your fingers out. That makes sure that you don’t lose the ball when you hold it. Don’t allow yourself to have your palm touching the ball either. Fingers should be the only point of contact as you pass or shoot the ball at its target.

If you’ve developed somewhat of a shooting slump, focus on your shoulders. If they’re in a poor position, no matter your skill level, you will be unable to make the shot. Make sure your shoulders are always square towards the hoop. The dominant shoulder needs to be lined up with the rim.

Basketball is great for not only players, but people who want to watch as well. But, to really ensure that you are getting everything basketball has to offer, it pays to get as informed on the topic as possible. This article is a great resource for accomplishing that.