Basketball is a game played and loved by both genders. People of any age or gender enjoy playing this exciting game. Get everyone together so you can show them what you’ve learned. Maybe you are wondering, what moves? Read this article to learn how to do new moves.

It’s natural to focus on offensive abilities when practicing the sport of basketball, but your practice time needs to focus on defense. Basketball games are often won by the defense. Offense gets all the praise and attention, but without a good defense, any basketball team is destined to lose.

TIP! Make sure you are dribbling the right way. Finger tips, not palms, are the key to successful dribbling.

Free throws are an excellent skill to practice in your spare time. This is something that seems simple, but in reality it can be hard. Practice frequently using these techniques. Start with the ball held out from your face. Keep looking at the goal while visualizing the basketball going through the hoop. Then throw the ball just as you had visualized.

Always know where your feet are and what they are doing. When you are in possession of the ball, touching the baseline will get you out of bounds. The ball will be turned over on a walking call if too many steps are taken with no dribble action. You can’t move a foot when you take a charge, pick or screen either, or it’s a foul.

To play good defense, you have to upset and disrupt your opponent. Make them uncomfortable. Always move aggressively as they try to maneuver around you. Do not let them call the shots. If don’t play aggressively, you opponent will run you down. You make the moves, which helps shift the momentum.

TIP! If you hold the ball a lot, you have to learn crossovers. A crossover happens when you switch hands the ball is in.

Prevent the opposing team from stealing the ball by dribbling hard. This means you get the ball back from your opponent faster. If you have an opponent who is guarding you relentlessly, it is time to pass the ball.

Take a charge if you can. When you take a charge, you have the opportunity to get a defensive stop, your team gets the ball and an additional foul is set up against the other team. That can be psychologically disturbing, and is a power play.

Defensive players need to stay low. This helps your jumps become quicker and betters your reaction to the person before you simpler. Stay in a defensive stance. You should return to this position immediately after leaving it to block or defend.

TIP! If you have a high school level basketball player for a kid, be sure their core muscles are properly trained. This includes their abs, lower back, and hips.

Since reading these tips, you should be confident in your basketball skills. Perhaps you have even learned a few new secrets. Keep in mind that basketball should be fun at all times. Whatever the case, it is fun to win though!