It’s no secret why basketball is so popular: the pace is fast, causing excitement. However, if you want to thoroughly enjoy the game, you should know all you can. You can find the following information to be quite helpful.

Always keep your head up when dribbling instead of focusing on the ball. If you have to look at the ball while dribbling, that means you need to practice more. Take the ball with you wherever you go. Dribble the ball while you’re walking around. Don’t look while dribbling, because you won’t be able to see what’s going on.

Bounce Pass

A bounce pass is essential to learn. It is best when the ball hits the receiving player near the waist. The ideal bounce pass should land about 3/4 of the way between you and the receiver. There are other factors you have to think about too, however.

Be sure to watch professional games to learn some great tips and tricks to improve your game. Go to as many pro games as possible, watch them on TV, or watch videos of them playing. Watch great players to learn the specific skills that make them exceptional.

TIP! Watching the pros can help you pick up on certain skills for improving your game. Go to professional games in person and/or watch them online or on TV.

You should practice pass catching regularly. Be sure to be able to catch off-target throws on top of good ones. When playing in the game, it’s rare that every pass will hit a bulls-eye. You can do the rest of your team a favor by practicing how you can best complete imperfect passes.

Want to make the other team not know what’s going on? Try using a back pass! To do a back pass, begin by grasping the basketball using your dominant hand. Next get the ball pulled up behind the back. Lastly, flick your wrist in the direction that you want the ball to land. You can use this action to deceive your opponents.

If you’re on the offense, you footwork needs to be excellent to stay open for passes and shots. You need to have physical presence beneath the net, but you also have to choose the right spot to be in. Once you’ve reached a good spot, you need to secure it. Both of those skills rely on solid footwork.

TIP! A good tip about passing is try doing it without dribbling the ball. Playing without any dribbling is very hard, but builds your passing skills.

It is best to take a break if you sustain an injury while playing. Basketball is very physical and there’s always a risk of injury. If you try to keep playing, you can hurt yourself worse. Serious injuries may require medical attention.

See if your teammates admire something in particular about your game play. Are you really good at any one thing? You could potentially be excellent in one area while you are busy focusing on another, unaware. Find out what others perceive as your natural gifts and build upon those more completely.

If you need some help seeing where you need work, try to get a friend or relative to record your games. Are you able to look at your skills in a different light? You can use this information to improve your game. This gives you an unfettered view of how you actually performed on the court, rather than relying solely on your memory of the game.

TIP! Keep your weight lifting to a minimum as a jump shooter. Being weighed down by too much bulky muscle can have a negative impact on your jump shot.

To become a reliable free throw shooter, always go through the same routine before each shot. This may mean you want to dribble three times, touch your forehead, bend at the knees, or do anything else. Keep it simple and consistent, and the routine will become a part of your muscle memory.

Build a consistent routine for your free throws. If you aren’t consistent, you will find that your shooting is off. In order to make your free throw perfect, you’ll need to practice the shot many times and get into a routine. If your routine is off, then you will miss the shot.

A good way to develop ball handling skills is to make your forearms and hands stronger. One important exercise is wrist curls, which help you with your dribbling. Don’t just think you’re able to stand around, catch the ball and then shoot it. You must move the ball to have things happen.

TIP! Want to trick the other team? Consider the back pass. To accomplish this, grab the ball with the dominant hand.

In order to better your shooting skills, you must practice shooting hundreds of times each day from various position on the court. Practice dribbling and quick shots. Look at the target when you’re airborne and not a moment before. This helps to simulate game conditions and improving your accuracy.

Switch your body’s weight from side to side while practicing your dribbling. You will dribble during different situations. You will have many opponents swarming you. This is why it’s important to switch the direction you will be dribbling. This allows you to get yourself out of a tough spot.

Practice making shots from a lot of different places on the court. Begin with practicing your grip and balance. Shooting when you are not in balance is less accurate, but it is possible. Pay attention to the air valve on the ball. Keep your dominant hand spread out, and place the palm on top of the valve; this is the basketball’s center.

TIP! When injuries occur on the court, it is unwise to keep on playing. It’s easy to be hurt when playing basketball.

Always pay attention to where the ball goes once your teammate or your opponent sends it out of their hands. Rebounds are an integral part of the game. You need to be able to get the ball if your opponent misses the shot.

Make sure passing is an essential component of your overall game. You can confuse the opposition with your passes. Plus, this allows other to see that you enjoy teamwork, which helps your teammates to appreciate you more. There will come times in the game when you can show off how great you are at the game. It will come, so be patient and help others shine too.

As this article mentioned, basketball is a beloved sport enjoyed globally. You need to know more than just the basics in order to play ball like a pro. Apply these tips to your next game to become an even better player.