What is there to learn about basketball? What do you need to do to improve your skills and play better? In this article we will provide you with some basic information to act as a solid foundation for your basketball performance.

You must have good balance to shoot well. Having good balance will allow you to keep better control of the ball as well as play a better defense. Professional basketball players tend to improvise when need be. You need to be balanced properly if you’re going to be making shots, so that over time you’ll be able to always hit the basket.

Free Throw

Making a free throw takes mental concentration as well as physical prowess. With everyone watching, it can be easy to allow the pressure to interfere with your game. Stay relaxed and just focus on the goal and you will increase your free throw rate.

Completing passes to your teammates is just as important as dribbling the ball. It is hard to play with no dribbling, but it will help your team make great passes. Don’t get upset if it seems hard, this will improve your team’s passes over time.

TIP! To improve your game, concentrate on your strong points. You might not have star ability, but you can be an outstanding team player.

Quality footwork will help you get better shots. While physical presence under a basket is important, finding a decent spot before the opponent is even more so. Once you get into your position, you need to secure it. These skills require solid footwork.

Concentrate on your shoulders if you have gotten into a shooting slump. If your shoulders aren’t correct, you may not be able to make the shots. Keep your shoulders square to the hoop. The shoulder that’s dominant should be in line with the rim.

You need to be quick to be good at basketball. To get an advantage over an opposing player, you must have the quickest reactions. You will have to do a lot of drilling to play faster. Though, you should never attempt to a play faster game than your abilities permit. Playing beyond your own capabilities sends the game spinning past your ability to control it, and turnovers are bound to occur.

TIP! Watch professionals play to learn from their techniques. You can follow the pros in online videos, on TV and you can also attend a basketball game if there is a pro team in your area.

Where are your feet? Stepping even over a baseline when you’re in possession of the ball will have you called out of bounds. If you take too many steps and don’t dribble, then you are walking. A foul will be called if your feet move while you attempt to screen other players.

If you are being heavily guarded, a pass between your legs might help. Practice bouncing the basketball forcefully between your legs while stepping forwards and backwards. Mastering this move can help give you an advantage on the court.

If you wish to get a free throw rebound from a teammate, you have to stay on your toes properly. The defender below you will be moving toward you, so find a way to slip around him and get to the ball. Doing so will allow you to get the rebound sans a foul.

TIP! Do not only practice zone defense plays. The majority of the game is in that area, but be careful about a team who changes things up.

Dribble very hard to prevent the opposing team players from stealing the ball. This causes the ball to return to your hand more quickly, so the offense has less time to try to get it away from you. If an opposing player is guarding you to the point where you can’t dribble well, it’s time to pass to an open teammate.

You need to take a charge anytime you can. By taking charge you can create a defensive stop so you can get the ball, and allows you to create setups so that the opponent will foul you. That can be psychologically disturbing, and is a power play.

To boost your ability with the weaker hand, try to use it for all daily tasks. Being more dexterous means you will have better control. You will soon see a difference on the court if you are consistent with these simple exercises.

TIP! Good footwork is important when you’re posting up in the paint. While physical presence under a basket is important, finding a decent spot before the opponent is even more so.

Only stop dribbling if you want to shoot or pass. You are limited once you cease dribbling. If you cannot pass or shoot, you can only pivot with your back foot. This leaves you vulnerable to being double teamed by members of the opposing team, and it is far more likely that the ball will be stolen.

Do exercises that will assist you in becoming a better player. Running for short quick bursts at a time will help you become quicker, and running long distance can help with stamina. Lifting weights can help you get more muscle. The confidence this gives you will help you with your shooting.

Keep a rhythm while dribbling to throw your opponents off. By mixing up your regular dribbling rhythm with a faster pace, you will throw your opponent off guard, perhaps leaving you with an open shot or pass. In addition to the tempo change, the louder sound of your dribbling can catch them off guard as well.

TIP! If you’re injured when playing basketball, don’t push through the pain. Basketball is physically challenging, and injuries are not uncommon.

Do you feel more knowledgeable about the game of basketball? Do you feel confident to take control on the court? Can you handle becoming an even better basketball player as a result of reading this article? Go forward, start practicing, implement these tips and find the great rewards you will get as a result.