The inventor of basketball was Dr. In 1891, Dr. James Naismith invented basketball. Since then, it has blown up to become one of the most popular sports of our time. There have been many people who have made basketball a world wide phenomenon. J. to Magic Johnson, basketball has turned athletes into superstars. Look at this article for tips that helped them become successful.

Know your strengths and they’ll help you become a better player. You may not be the star player, but by contributing the best way you can you will win more games. Understand your strengths and use it to your advantage to help your team win!

TIP! Free throws are an excellent skill to practice in your spare time. This looks easy, but it is actually very hard to do.

Make layups a part of your daily practice regimen. During any game, layups make up about 75 percent of the game. Dribble the ball in front of you while taking large strides followed by a smooth shot. Practicing this technique helps you learn to make layups during a game.

A good way to get your basketball game up to speed is to start trying to see how the pros are playing. Watch as many games on TV as you can. Every player has skills that make them good, and you can work on the skills they use.

If your son or daughter wants to play high school basketball, they need to work on core muscle training. Core muscles are comprised of the hips, lower back, and abdominal muscles. The core links the upper and lower extremities and without a strong one, their athletic performance will be limited. By developing a strong core, your legs will follow suit.

TIP! Perfect your bounce pass. Good bounce passes need to hit the other player waist length when they receive it.

If you post up, you need to use good footwork to get open and make sure you get a good shot. While physical presence under a basket is important, finding a decent spot before the opponent is even more so. After grabbing the position, you need to hold the area. Practicing your footwork is important to master these skills.

When exercising, concentrate on building up core strength and improving your footwork. Your body will maintain balance and move more quickly when your core muscles are strong. Don’t forget to also work out muscles in your back, buttocks, abdomen and hips. You will improve your speed and footwork if you jump rope like boxers do.

Always be aware of where you have your feet and what you are going to do with them next. You want to make sure you don’t step over the bounds by even a teeny bit. Also, you can cause a turnover if you walk without dribbling the ball. A foul will result if you try to take a charge or set a pick and your feet are moving.

TIP! Quality footwork will help you get better shots. Securing a good location is critical when playing basketball.

If you have someone who can tape your game, you can view the recording to see how well you performed on the court. While reviewing the tape, look for opportunities you may have missed during the game. You can use this information to improve your game. It can help you to see how you really are instead of what you imagine you are.

To get better at shooting free throws, make sure to keep a consistent pre-shot routine. For example, you might tug your ear, dribble three times, or flex your wrists. As you adopt this routine, it becomes easier for your mind and body to prepare for the shot.

A good player on defense will annoy the heck out of the opponent and cause the other team to get flustered. Get them outside their comfort zone. Be assertive and focused within the rules, aggressively keeping your player off balance. Don’t let your opponent decide their own plays. If you allow this to happen, your opponent will have the upper hand. You need to adopt an aggressive style and react quickly so you can interrupt the patterns set by your opponents.

TIP! A great way to stay prepared at all times is to always face the ball. It’s all about court awareness, and always facing the ball will make it so you are less surprised by passes.

Dribble hard to avoid ball stealing. A good hard dribble brings the ball back to you much faster, leaving less time for the opponent to steal it from you. When closely guarding another player, cease dribbling and pass it to another play on your team that’s open.

A hoop that’s ten feet high, a really long court, and ten people playing is what it takes to play a game of basketball. To play your best, you must have good knowledge. This article provided you with a good start, so keep learning and practicing to become a master at it.