People all over the world love basketball. It’s easy to learn rules, and everyone of all ages can do it. Basketball teaches you cooperation and sportsmanship. The article below is great for people that want to learn a lot about basketball.

Learn to crossover if you get the ball often. Being able to dribble the ball with both hands and crossover between the two will make you a better player. This should be something you do quickly. When done correctly, the crossover dribble help you to change direction in order to move down the court efficiently.

TIP! It is tempting to concentrate just on offense when just staring out, but defensive practice is absolutely vital. Defense can make or break a basketball game.

You must have good balance to shoot well. While some NBA players are able to launch a ball to the net mid-fall, this is not appropriate for most people. They have just improvised, is all. Keep your balance so you can consistently win points.

Practice your layups a lot. Up to eighty percent of the baskets attempted in a game are layups. Whenever you practice, approach the goal full speed, jump and take a smooth shot. If you can do this right, you can master this shot.

Bounce passes are important in the game of basketball. It is best when the ball hits the receiving player near the waist. Try bouncing it about three-quarters to them. There are other variables to consider though.

TIP! Make sure to dribble properly. Proper dribbling technique involves use of the fingertips, not the palm of the hand.

Practice playing a man-to-man defense and zone defense. Most of the basketball game will probably be played in this zone, but the other team might decide to surprise you and do some man-to-man coverage. If you haven’t trained yourself to counter this, you could lose any control you have over the game.

If you’re a jump shooter, don’t lift weights too often. Muscle strength is great for any position in basketball, you can have too much when it comes to perimeter play. Many guards in the pros have developed their arm muscles too big, which has really harmed their shooting percentage.

Try using hand signals to ensure that your passes are received. One of basketball’s most frustrating elements is the concept of sending a quick pass onto a teammate who has just moved in a different direction. A simple hand gesture can let your teammate know you’re ready for the pass. If your teammate misses your signal, then they may miss the ball as well and the other team could gain possession.

TIP! Watch the pro’s play if you want to improve your game. It is important that you see how other people play the game.

Why is basketball a game that’s so popular? That’s because it is fun to play and easy to learn. Basketball fans and players who are enamored of the game will appreciate the tips presented here. It’s always fun to play such a great sport, and with these tips you can make sure that you always have the chance to improve as well.