Basketball was created by Dr. In 1891, Dr. James Naismith invented basketball. Since its invention, it has became a very popular sport. There have been many famous players of note. Most of the world has heard of Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. If you would like to read more about what made them successful, continue to the article below.

To get better in your basketball game, focus on your strengths. Your best skills may not be center-stage every game, but knowing how to play the best angles can help you give more to your team. Figure out what you do well at and then you can practice that until you perfect it.

TIP! When dribbling, make sure that you look forward and keep your head up. You haven’t practiced enough if you keep looking at the basketball while you’re dribbling.

Learn how a bounce pass is thrown. It is best when the ball hits the receiving player near the waist. If it helps to measure it out, consider aiming for a mark on the floor about three-fourths of the way between you and your teammate. But, there are some factors that can change this.

Connecting on your free throws is as much mental as it is physical. With everyone watching, it can be easy to allow the pressure to interfere with your game. Stay calm and collected to increase your free throw percentage.

Practice playing a man-to-man defense and zone defense. While a great portion of a game will be concentrated in the zone, your rivals could opt to go to man-to-man covering to keep you guessing. Practicing these techniques can give you a competitive edge over your competition.

TIP! Focus on your strengths to get better at basketball. Your talents might not make you a star, but when you make the most of your strengths, you might better contribute to your team.

If you have a kid that wants to play basketball in high school, be sure they’re working on their core muscles. Focus on hips, lower back and abs. The core is the muscle group that links the arms and legs together. If their core strength is poor, then so will their athletic performance be. A strong core provides a center of force that can be tapped through the legs while running and jumping during games.

Have your team mates critique your playing skills. What do you need to focus in on and practice more? Maybe you are quick like lightening or maybe you are a strong defender. Find out what your strong points are in the eyes of others. This way you can develop your most valuable skills.

Watch your own recorded games, and look for weak areas. Can you see where you can improve your form? Are there things you might have done differently? Be honest with yourself but don’t be too harsh. You can learn a lot by watching how you play and what you need to concentrate practicing on.

TIP! Learn how to block out movement, noise and other distractions when taking a free throw. You can teach your body to make a free throw properly, but unless you are properly prepared mentally, you may not succeed.

If the opposing team is guarding you to much, you can try a pass between your legs. Take a step back or forward and bounce the ball hard through your legs. Mastering this move can help give you an advantage on the court.

The basic requirements for a basketball game are relatively modest. A handul of players, a solid court, and a net are the only things needed to play. You must have a powerful knowledge base if you wish to play ball well. Use these tips to improve your game and keep getting better.