Basketball is one of the most popular sports around the world. It’s simple to play a game at the park or begin your career if you start early enough. Learn a little more about what basketball is all about by reading this article.

Practice your defense more than your offense. Defense is what wins basketball games. While everyone focuses on shots made, a good defense can kill the chances of even an amazing shot taker.

TIP! Dribble properly. Don’t use your palm to dribble.

You need to learn the correct way to dribble the ball. Use fingertips to dribble. This provides you with much more ball control. Also, dribble off to the side instead of in front. The ball should bounce no higher than your waist. Don’t look at the ground, always keep your eyes focused forward.

Learn what a crossover is and how to do it. This is when the ball is moved from hand to hand. Your crossovers should be fast, which is why it is important to practice them. When executed properly, a crossover dribble lets you alternate directions suddenly so that you can move down the entire court quickly.

In order to be a great shooter, good balance is key. Sometimes you’ll see professional players fall out of bounds while making a shot from afar, but this doesn’t work at all times. This kind of improvisation is the result of years of practice and loads of ability. If you have correct balance when you are making a shot, you will make more consistent baskets over time.

TIP! Always keep your head up when dribbling instead of focusing on the ball. By focusing your sight on the ball, you cannot be fully aware of your surroundings.

Perfect your layup technique. Layups account for up to 80 percent of the shots taken during a game. Dribble the ball in front of you while taking large strides followed by a smooth shot. Drill the jumping technique regularly so you can do layups very smoothly and always stay in control of where the ball is going.

Bounce Pass

Every great player understands how to properly perform a bounce pass. If done correctly, a well-executed bounce pass will reach the player in a way that allows them to move immediately with the ball. One good rule is for you to bounce the basketball most of the way toward the other player. Practicing your bounce pass is important so that you can use it skillfully during games.

TIP! Shooting has much to do with proper balance. We have all seen the professional basketball player falling out of bounds and making a basket from 30 feet away, but this is not proper technique.

Don’t just practice playing against a zone defense. While much of the game is played in zone, the opponent can flip to man-to-man coverage, changing everything and surprising you. You might lose your control of the court if the other team use this technique, unless you are ready for this possibility.

As you exercise to improve your game, it is important to work on your footwork and strength. Your balance will improve if you strengthen your core. Work the abdomen, buttocks, hip, and back muscles. Jump rope like a boxer to improve your fancy footwork.

If you’re shooting isn’t what you’d like it to be, make sure that your shoulders are in the correct position. You won’t be able to make a shot if your shoulders aren’t in the right position. Be sure that your shoulders square up in front of the hoop. Your dominant shoulder must be lined up with the rim.

TIP! Need to dupe the opposition? The back pass is perfect for this. To accomplish this, grab the ball with the dominant hand.

Speed is everything in the sport of basketball. If you can play quicker than the opposing team can, then you will be at an advantage. If you want to play the game fast, you need to drill continuously. However, you should not attempt to play any faster than your abilities permit. If you push too hard, your performance may be haphazard, and the game may get out of control.

To get more out of layups, take off using the foot that;s the opposite of your shooting hand. So, if you shoot using your left hand, launch with your right foot. That will build your balance and help you stay in the right position.

You must have a consistent practice routine if you want to learn to shoot free throws well. A routine that is constantly in flux will only open up more opportunities for failure. To better perfect free throw techniques, try using repetition via practicing one routine repeatedly. If you alter your routine then chances are the shot will not be good.

TIP! Keep your skills sharp in the off-season by playing different challenging games. Even if you can’t get a bunch of people together to play, you can still practice on your own.

To play good defense, you have to upset and disrupt your opponent. Don’t let your opponent get comfortable out there on the court. Your defensive moves must be aggressive and executed properly. Don’t let them choose what plays to make. If don’t play aggressively, you opponent will run you down. Rather, you move first so that you interfere with their rhythm.

These tips should give a better idea of how to improve your game. It isn’t really that hard if you do the work and know what goes into it. When you begin to play with your new knowledge, you will start to master the game. You can have fun at the same time!