Basketball is a game invented by Dr. It was invented by a man named Dr. James Naismith. After that it has become something that a lot of people have fallen in love with. From Dr. and Earvin Magic Johnson have shown that if you are an all-pro player, you are also a global celebrity. Keep reading if you’re looking to learn a few things about the sport.

Many people forget that defense is as important as offense during practice. In the end, it’s defense that consistently wins you games. Offense gets attention and praise, but when you lack good defense, any team can lose.

TIP! Learn how to maneuver a crossover if you have the ball fairly often. Crossover dribble is switching hands while you’re dribbling.

Every great player understands how to properly perform a bounce pass. The bounce pass needs to reach the player at waist level. Remember you should bounce the ball approximately three-quarters of the distance between yourself and the receiving player. Of course, there are also other factors involved.

Successful free throwing requires as much mental skill as it does physical skill. You may know how to make a free throw but if your focus is off, then you will miss. Stay focused and vigilant to improve your ability to make free throws.

Watch how the pros play basketball. Get tickets to some pro games, if possible, or catch some games on television. Each player has their strengths and you can learn a lot from each one.

TIP! If you want to be a master of the jump shot, do not make weight lifting a priority. Muscle strength can be great for basketball players, but it is actually possible to have excessive amounts for playing on the perimeter.

It is important to practice catching the ball from others as much as passing. Try to catch all of the passes that are thrown to you. Understand that during a game, you will receive very scattered passes. Some will be good; some won’t. So you should do the team a favor by knowing how to take in any kind of a pass that comes from someone.

Don’t bulk up if you want to be good as a jump shooter. Being weighed down by too much bulky muscle can have a negative impact on your jump shot. You might see a decrease in your goal percentages if your biceps become too large.

In order to get a good shot, good footwork is essential when posting up. Securing a good location is critical when playing basketball. Once you have gotten into position, secure your spot. Both skills rely on some solid footwork.

TIP! Interested in tricking your opponents? Try the back pass. Hold the basketball with your writing hand.

Don’t play when you are injured! It’s a challenging sport that’s very physical, and you have the ability to get injured. Pushing through the pain often results in a more serious injury. Be sure to seek medical care if you have a serious injury.

The key for controlling the ball well is to spread your fingers. You are more likely to hold onto the ball this way. Try to keep your palm off of the ball as well. When passing and shooting the ball toward its target, the sole contact point should be fingers.

Boost your defensive abilities by studying the opposing team and its players. Watch tapes and be sure you’re paying attention to scouting reports. You should know if a player is right or left handed. When you know some of the other player’s moves, you’ll have a leg up during a game as you’ll be able to predict what he is going to do. Strong defenders are knowledgeable defenders.

TIP! To be a good post-up player in the pain, you need to have really good footwork. Although a strong presence in the key is important, beating your opponent to good spots on the floor is more important.

A solid routine is necessary for improvement in free throw shooting. Failure to use consistency may make your shots less accurate. The simplest way to get better at shooting free throws is through constant repetitive motions when shooting the ball. You are likely to miss your shot if you’re not settled into your routine.

Be certain that your vision is the best it can be. This means more than just being able to see well enough to play, but “seeing” the court deeply. Having excellent peripheral vision is vital to do well in this game. Having good court awareness to see everything around you lets you see plays develop before they happen, either by warding off the defenders or getting the ball to open teammates.

A game of basketball consists of ten players, a court, the ball and a hoop that is ten feet high. Strong knowledge is necessary for better playing. Start with the tips presented here and continue to add to your knowledge of basketball.