Basketball is more than a game for gym class. Basketball can be played at the park, driveway or at the local rec center. If hoop shooting is your thing, then more information on the subject will help you improve your game play.

Dribble the ball correctly. When dribbling the basketball, use your fingertips rather than the palm of your hand. This provides you with much more ball control. Dribble on the sides of your body instead of directly before you, and bounce it waist level. Always look up and never look down at the ground.

TIP! It is important to know the right way to throw a bounce pass. Bouncing the pass to the receiver should be at their waist.

One of the most important skills when playing basketball is balance. Your knees should be bent with your feet slightly wider than your shoulders. These are not practiced skills, they are just flukes. If you have correct balance when you are making a shot, you will make more consistent baskets over time.

Always work on your layups. Four out of every five shots taken in a given game will be layups. The best practice strategy is to go full tilt toward the hoop, then do a smooth jump shot. This running and jumping technique will help you learn how to jump and shoot better during the game.

Don’t limit your practice to just playing against the zone defense. Most of the game is played in zone, but your opponent may try to switch things up to do man-to-man coverage. If your practice hasn’t included this type of scenario, you might lose control rapidly.

TIP! There is a lot of pressure when shooting free throws. You may know how to make a free throw but if your focus is off, then you will miss.

Don’t pump too much iron if you plan on being a jump shooter. Muscle is good, but you can have too much. As a shooting guard, having bulky arm muscles can actually reduce the number of successful shots.

Play basketball against yourself even during the off-season. Basketball is sport played in teams, but there are times when no one is around to play with you. That’s fine. Solo games can help you immensely. Practice pivoting or you can practice doing free throws. There are always things that can be done.

Core Muscles

TIP! Make sure that your regular practice includes catching of passes. When you’re practicing, you should drill in being able to catch random throws in addition to passes that are perfect.

When exercise, concentrate on perfecting footwork and strengthening your core muscles. Your body is going to be more balanced and be able to move faster when you have strong core muscles. The most important muscle groups include your back, stomach, and pelvic region. Just like boxers, you can improve your footwork and speed by jumping rope.

Being a good defensive player involves disrupting your opponent’s concentration. Focus on getting them out of the comfort zone. Your defensive moves must be aggressive and executed properly. Do not allow them to decide which plays to make. If you do, your opponent will run all over you. Try to interrupt their game plan by taking charge and controlling the tempo.

To create a trapping machine in a standard 2-3 zone, have your two top defenders or your guards wait until point guard is about 10 feet from the time line or midcourt. Then, they ought to trap the point guard. It also lets you have forwards on blocks sprint to the wing players. Point guards need to throw up passes that your team’s forwards can steal easily.

TIP! Tricking the other team is a good way to win a game. Try doing what is known as a back pass.

Try practicing three pointers from the NBA range in order to be a more effective three point shooter. The line in every other league is closer. Learning how to shoot from the NBA three point line can help you get better looks at the basket.

Practice dribbling while switching the momentum of your body from side to side. Real game dribbling has a lot of variety. You may have an open court, by you’re just as likely to be swarmed by multiple opponents. Because of this, you must be able to dribble efficiently regardless of your body’s position. This can help you out of jams.

Be sure you do the sort of off-court exercises that help you during games. Sprinting exercises can help you to become faster, while running for long distances can assist you in making it through the whole game. You can acquire muscle through weightlifting that helps with hustling and shooting. The passion which results will help you become a better shooter.

TIP! Have other players give you information about what they think are your strengths and weaknesses. You may have a certain skill that you have perfected.

Maintain strong team camaraderie both on and away from the court. Basketball games gain a new intensity when players can work as one effortlessly. If you know your team members intimately and everyone trusts each other, your game will be seriously enhanced.

Force your opponent to use his weaker hand. For example, if they’re left handed, step toward them using the right foot and they’ll need to switch sides. Keep your head parallel to their chest, and you will stay low and primed to snatch the ball.

Control your nerves. Maintain focus on the basket. Remember to shift your eyes so they watch the rim’s back as you shoot. However, if you are going in for the lay-up, move your eyes to the area of the backboard that you need to bank the ball off of.

TIP! Work on passing in a direction you are not looking. Your opponents can really get confused by this, as well.

No matter what type of basketball game you like to play, the better your skill level, the more you will enjoy your game. Now that you have read these tips, it is time to take the next step and make use of them. As long as you’re learning, you’ll be improving your game.