For years, fans of all ages have loved the game of basketball. However, many people don’t know all the ins and outs. The tips in this article will help you improve your game whether you are a complete beginner or have been playing for years.

Focusing on the offense may come easily but you need to be able to focus on the defense as well., Basketball games are often won by great defensive play. Offense is flashier, so it draws the attention of fans and journalists, but a team that can’t defend well won’t win any games.

TIP! Bounce passes are important in the game of basketball. A bounce pass that’s good is going to end up hitting the other player near their waist.

Dribbling the ball the right way needs to be done. Avoid using your palm while dribbling. Instead, use your fingertips. This helps you to control the ball better. Also, dribble off to the side instead of in front. The ball should bounce no higher than your waist. Keep your eyes up, not on the ground.

Practice shooting free throws. This seemingly simple shot can be difficult to execute under game conditions. Use this technique to better your game. Place the ball right in line with your face. There may be a number of distractions so you need to focus on your goal. Next, take your shot seeing the ball move in the trajectory you envisaged for it.

When dribbling the basketball you should keep your head up. If you start staring at the ball while you dribble, you know you need to practice more. One of the best ways to improve your dribbling is to bring your ball along anytime you need to walk somewhere. Try dribbling even when walking to a store. Maintaining unbroken visual contact with the ball makes it difficult to be aware of your surroundings.

TIP! Learn how to block out movement, noise and other distractions when taking a free throw. It is possible to practice the physical movements needed to make such a shot, but when your mental focus is lacking, you are likely to miss.

Make sure that your regular practice includes catching of passes. When you practice, mix it up so that you can catch perfect passes and errant throws. When the game is going on, every pass isn’t going to make it to its target. So you should do the team a favor by knowing how to take in any kind of a pass that comes from someone.

It is hard to argue that basketball is one of the most popular sports in American life. In order to enjoy or play the game well, you’ll need some knowledge. Keep what you’ve just read in mind, and grow your love for the game.