Basketball was created by Dr. Since that time it has gained steadily in popularity around the world. Today it is beloved by players and fans all across the globe, making it a powerful force in the world of sports. Players like Dr. J. Magic Johnson and Dr. J are just some of many players who have become celebrities through the game. This article will give you some tips to help you play like the pros.

Practice your defense more than your offense. Many times, defense actually wins the game. Without good defense, a basketball team will lose the match.

Your mind plays as big a part in making a free throw as your actual body does. You must train both your body and your mind. Relax, take your time and be focused.

If you want to take jump shots, don’t spend time pumping iron. Muscle strength is great for any position in basketball, you can have too much when it comes to perimeter play. Some shooting guards that play professionally have such big arms that their field goal rate went down.

Prior to basketball season, and even during it, you can play solo games. While it’s a team sport, you may not be able to find others that will play. There’s nothing wrong with that. You can accomplish a lot by practicing alone. Work on your free throws or your pivot moves. There is no shortage of things you can do.

Have other players give you information about what they think are your strengths and weaknesses. What do you need to focus in on and practice more? It may be that you are quick on your feet or that you are always there to back them up. Determine what others like about your game and fine tune those skills.

Build your core strength and focus on your legwork when you train for basketball. Your body will maintain balance and move more quickly when your core muscles are strong. Work out your hips, back and abdomen. Just like boxers, you can improve your footwork and speed by jumping rope.

To be a good dribbler, and a more versatile player, you have to develop not only your dominant hand but your weaker side as well. If both hands are useful for dribbling, your opponents will not stand much of a chance. Tie your strong hand to the rear of your back to ensure you only use your weaker hand. Your dribbling skills will improve with your weaker hand.

Practice drills that force you to get the basketball to the other end of the court in less than 5 dribbles. This might seem impossible at first, but if you achieve it, you will have remarkable stride length and speed. In games, this drill will become useful when you have fast break opportunities.

To play in regulation basketball, you’ll need ten players and a hoop that’s at least ten feet high. In depth knowledge is key to being a good player. The tips here will help, but continue reading to find out as much as you can.

Are you interested in basketball but just aren’t sure of where to begin with it? Don’t worry, you are not alone! Most basketball fans wonder about the techniques the pros use to play so well. This article is packed with basketball tips.

It’s natural to be drawn towards offense as a novice, but the pros know defense is where the game is won or lost. Victory requires the ability to play defense. While everyone focuses on shots made, a good defense can kill the chances of even an amazing shot taker.

Connecting on your free throws is as much mental as it is physical. You must be mentally strong to be a consistent free throw shooter. Take a deep breath, relax and imagine you are at practice to help yourself make the shot.

Completing passes to your teammates is just as important as dribbling the ball. It is hard to play a game when you don’t dribble, but it will help you to be sure that everyone is passing accurately. Don’t get frustrated if it’s hard at first because it will get better over time.

Avoid errant passes by the use of hand signals. One of the more frustrating aspects of basketball is making a pass to a teammate at the same time they head to the basket. The use of hand signals can help you avoid this difficulty. Without a signal, the ball controller shouldn’t make a pass.

Good footwork is important when you’re posting up in the paint. Although physical presence under the basket is important, getting to a good spot before your opponent does is even more important. Once you have gotten into position, secure your spot. Footwork, therefore, is crucial.

Have your team mates critique your playing skills. They will probably notice the things you do best. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will allow you to develop your skills to become an all around better player. Find out how your game appears to others and develop your skills accordingly.

Quickness is something that’s desired in basketball. To get an advantage over an opposing player, you must have the quickest reactions. You need to really drill to get to the point where you can play fast. Although being fast is important, avoid playing faster than your capabilities. You will end up in a turnover if you play too fast.

It may be the case that you liked basketball, but didn’t know much about it prior to this post. Now you are ready to stick a foot in and take on a game yourself. Go ahead and start a game so you can make use of this advice.

What all should you know about basketball as a sport? What can be done to help me to become better at the game while knowing how to appreciate what’s going on? The article below has the information you need to know to accomplish your basketball goals.

Be sure to dribble correctly every time. Finger tips, not palms, are the key to successful dribbling. You retain much more ball control this way. Bounce the ball no higher than your waist and keep the ball at your side rather than in front. Never look at the ground. Always look up.

You should often work on your layups. During any game, layups make up about 75 percent of the game. The best practice strategy is to go full tilt toward the hoop, then do a smooth jump shot. Practicing your running and jumping as a single motion will improve your technique faster than practicing them separately.

Practice using different types of defenses. 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 practiced against it, you could end up losing your grip on the game quite quickly.

Ask fellow team members what they like about your skills on the court. Are you skilled at something? You could potentially be excellent in one area while you are busy focusing on another, unaware. Honest feedback can really help you to narrow in on areas where you might need a little extra help practicing.

When you’re working out, concentrate on core strength building and your footwork. You will stay balanced if your core is strong. Your muscles in your buttocks, hips, abdomen, and back should be worked. To help get even quicker and have better footwork you can jump rope.

Ask a friend to record your games so that you can see how yourself in action. Do you see anything you could do differently? Appraise your performance honestly but don’t be overly harsh with yourself. The reality of your play is often very different from your perception.

Do you understand what it takes now? Do you think you can now apply this knowledge on the court? Are you able to handle the fact that you’re going to do the best at basketball that you’ve ever done because of this article? Then it’s time to put your skills to practice and really reap the rewards of what you’ve learned.

Basketball begins as a new adventure for most. You were learning how to pass, dribble, and shoot. After playing for awhile, you may feel you have learned all you need to know. The information below will teach you to be a better ball player.

Dribble the ball the right way. Don’t use your palm to dribble, but use your fingertips instead. You’ll have a lot more control over the ball this way. Bounce the ball no higher than your waist and keep the ball at your side rather than in front. Always look up and never look down at the ground.

If you have the ball a lot, learn to execute a crossover. When you do a crossover, you move the basketball very fast from one hand over to the other hand. The action needs to be performed quickly in order to be successful. Once you master the art of the crossover dribble, you will be able to change directions quicker.

Balance is important when shooting. Everyone has watched a pro player drift out of bounds while still making their shot, but this isn’t something to emulate. This is simply an improvised move. Good balance while shooting will lead to landing more baskets.

There is a lot of pressure when shooting free throws. You are able to train your hands and legs to free throw well, but if you think you will fail, you will. Relax your mind and keep your concentration centered on the basket to make more of these freebies.

You can improve your skills by paying attention to how the pros play. Go to actual games or watch on TV. You will quickly notice all the different skills that they have which makes them a great player, then take what you learned and use it to help improve your own game.

You want to be prepared for any type of defense the other team plays. While much of the game is played in zone, the opponent can flip to man-to-man coverage, changing everything and surprising you. If your practice hasn’t included this type of scenario, you might lose control rapidly.

If you are posting up, strategic footwork is important to becoming open and making a good shot. Although physical presence under the basket is important, getting to a good spot before your opponent does is even more important. After grabbing the position, you need to hold the area. Both skills rely on some solid footwork.

Never turn away from the ball, so that you can always stay ready for anything. You will enjoy greater court awareness and avoid feeling surprised by rapid changes in game play. Also, keep your eyes on areas that open up on the court for an easy basket.

If your shooting is suffering, take a close look at your shoulders. If you do not have your shoulders positioned properly, you will not make the shot. Make sure your shoulders are always square towards the hoop. The dominant shoulder needs to be aligned correctly with the rim.

These tips will make it easy for you to become a stellar basketball player. Set goals and practice regularly if you want to hone your skills. Using these tips, you will see you game skills improve with each game.

Basketball is something that tons of people worldwide enjoy. You can almost always find a playground game going. You might even make a career of it if you have enough time. Obtain all the basketball information you need by reading these tips.

Perfect your free throw. This kind of shot seems easy, but it really is not. Try using this technique in practicing. Start with the ball ahead of your face. Then, look at the ball and visualize it going in the basket. Then repeat that when you take the shot.

Having a good foundation is key when shooting the ball. Everyone has watched a pro player drift out of bounds while still making their shot, but this isn’t something to emulate. These shots are improvisational and usually desperate attempts. When you shoot, you should always be properly balanced, which will help you make more baskets more consistently.

Any good basketball player needs to know how to make a layup. Almost 80% of shots will be layups. Whenever you practice, approach the goal full speed, jump and take a smooth shot. This will assist you in perfecting your ability to jump and then shoot.

Get educated on the way to properly pass the ball on a bounce. It needs to get to the player at their waist. It’s smart to get the ball to bounce about 75% to the receiving player. There are other things to keep in mind, though.

Work on pass catches. When you’re practicing, you should drill in being able to catch random throws in addition to passes that are perfect. When a game is underway, not every throw will be perfect. By learning to catch errant passes, you will do your team a great favor.

Tricking the other team is a good way to win a game. Try using a back pass! Use your dominant hand to palm the basketball. Next, place the ball behind you. Next, snap your wrist in the direction you want the ball to be moved to. This should help to trick the other team.

If you become injured when playing basketball, stop immediately. Basketball is physically demanding and you can easily get hurt. If you try to keep playing, you can hurt yourself worse. If it is a serious injury, see a doctor.

When exercising, concentrate on building up core strength and improving your footwork. Your body will naturally balance well if you have strong core muscles. You should get a good workout in your hips, buttocks, back and abs. You will improve your speed and footwork if you jump rope like boxers do.

Now you should know how to get into basketball even more. It’s no cake walk, but basketball isn’t rocket science, either. You can succeed with information and dedication. Play as often as you can, especially against really good players. And be sure to have some fun out on the court as well.

The first time you played basketball was probably very exciting. You were figuring out the best ways to dribble the ball, to pass it, and to shoot it. Now you may feel that you know quite a bit about the game. The information below will teach you to be a better ball player.

It’s easy to focus on offense when learning to play, but your practice time would be better spent on defense. Defense ultimately determines the winner of a game of basketball. Offense gets all the praise and attention, but without a good defense, any basketball team is destined to lose.

Work on improving your strengths to become an even better player. While you may have a particular skill that isn’t going to make you stand out as the star player, honing it can help you become an integral part of your team’s success. Know what you are good at, then practice it until you’re absolutely perfect at it!

Any good basketball player needs to know how to make a layup. This is the most popular shot in basketball. When you practice, run toward the net, and then get a high jump in so you can smoothly shoot. Jump to the net and concentrate on shooting the ball in a specific location on the backboard.

Making a free throw takes mental concentration as well as physical prowess. Your body can be trained to make free throws, but your mind has to be focused on success if you want to make the basket. Relax and focus on the net, and you’ll be able to make more.

Don’t dribble during your drills. It is quite challenging to play the game without dribbling, but it does make sure you and your teammates make accurate passes. Even though this is not an easy drill, you will be rewarded for your efforts during game time.

If you are good at shooting the ball then the last thing you want to do is lift weights. It’s possible to have excessive muscles when you play the perimeter. Some shooting guards that play professionally have such big arms that their field goal rate went down.

Basketball players of all ages benefit from exercises that strengthen their core. Focus on hips, lower back and abs. Stronger core muscles will help them be more resistant and allow them to develop many different athletic abilities. Building a solid core helps maintain the leg strength that lies at the core of a strong game.

Don’t play when you are injured! Basketball is very physical and there’s always a risk of injury. If you continue playing, you could make the injury even worse. Anytime you have a serious injury, you should seek medical attention.

With all of this great advice at your fingertips, the sky is your limit. Set goals and practice, as much as you can, to get better. A little effort and some new strategies can bring your game to a whole new level.

Practice is of the utmost importance if you are intent on improving your game. However, you can’t practice what you don’t know how to do. You should keep reading if you want to learn more about strategies you can use to become a better player.

Learn proper dribbling. Use fingertips to dribble. This way you’ll have a lot more control over the ball. Dribble off to the side waist high. Never look at the ball; instead, look forward.

Try learning how to hit free throw shots. These shots may seem easy, but they can be quite difficult. Practice constantly using this tip. Start by holding your ball before your face. Have your eyes on your goal and picture your ball going into it. Bend your knees to control the arc of the ball.

You can play basketball solo before and during the season. You may not always be able to find someone to play with you. That’s fine. Solo games also help. Work on free throws or practice pivot moves. You can always do something.

You can play a great defensive game if you know the opposition well. Monitor scouting news and watch footage of other teams in action. Learn which of the opposing players are left-dominant and which are right-dominant. Knowing an opponent’s dribbling, passing and shooting styles gives you a definite edge on defense. A knowledgeable defender is a strong defender.

When you’re trying to work out, you should build up your core strength while getting your footwork perfected. Your body is going to be more balanced and be able to move faster when you have strong core muscles. Concentrate your efforts on the back, abdomen, buttocks and hips. Jumping rope is great for improving your footwork and also helping you to gain speed.

To become a great free thrower, practice and develop a routine you will use during each shot. This can include the number of times you dribble, how you position your feet, or anything else. As long as it’s quick, using a consistent routine can help your body retain the memory to make those shots after your “ritual.”

When you are passing the ball, get used to looking in the other direction. You can really confuse your opponents this way. If you do this fake the right way, then the receiver of the pass should have an advantage and a great look at the goal. This can be a great play if it is done correctly.

To dribble the ball better, it is important that you practice dribbling with the hand that’s weaker. If you’re using both hands to dribble the ball well then you can get by an opponent easily. Force yourself to not use your stronger hand. Eventually, your weak hand will be trained to dribble properly.

Make it your goal to dribble the ball across the entire court in under 5 dribbles. You will need to learn how to push the basketball in front of you while making long strides. This translates to simple layups, fast breaks or just a general increase in your team’s numbers.

Whether you play basketball all the time or just once and awhile, the above tips will be of help. Choose one favorite tip, and improve your score. You will become a better passer, rebounder and shooter.

All over the world, people enjoy the simple sport of basketball. The best teams are those that recognize the unique talents and abilities of every player. When you want to better those skills, read on.

Free throw practice is vitally important. It seems easy to do but surely isn’t. This technique should be practiced often if possible. First, hold the ball just above your nose, about 8 inches from your face. Use visualization to imagine the goal occurring. Then throw the ball just as you had visualized.

You should practice against a variety of defense types, not just zone. The majority of game play might take place in the zone, but that doesn’t mean that the opposing team will not try to catch you off guard. Practicing these techniques can give you a competitive edge over your competition.

You may get injured while practicing or playing. Don’t try to play if you are hurt. Basketball is very physical and there’s always a risk of injury. If you keep playing when you are injured, you could end up with an injury which keeps you from ever playing again. Serious injuries may require medical attention.

Ask teammates what they admire about your playing skills? Do you do something particularly well? Maybe you are nimble or you are reliably there to support them. Find out what others think your natural abilities are, and be certain to keep developing those skills.

In order to be your best on defense, take the time to completely understand the player you are guarding. Make sure that you’ve watched tapes that show the other player. You can also check out scouting reports. For example, you might look to see which players favor their left side and which have dominant right hands. Studying your opponent is one of the best ways to be able to win the game. Understanding the intricacies of the game will make you a better player.

Speed is everything in the sport of basketball. Try playing faster than the opponents for a better advantage. Playing fast requires steady drilling. But don’t try to go even faster than you actually are. This can cause you to get out of control and make careless mistakes.

Have a friend or family member videotape your games, then view the video to see the result. Looking at tapes can help you identify strengths and weaknesses. Evaluate what you see honestly, but don’t be too hard on yourself. Sometimes, it helps a lot to see yourself as you really are and not as just you imagine yourself to be.

To improve your dribbling skills, practice dribbling with your weaker hand. By being able to easily dribble with two hands rather than one, you have a huge advantage over your defenders. You can actually force yourself to utilize your weak hand by tying your other hand behind you. Eventually, your weak hand will be able to dribble well.

Anyone who takes up basketball is looking to better their skills in order to master the game. After going through the article above it shouldn’t be hard to know what needs to be done if you want to be better at basketball. Read it again if necessary; just be sure to use the tips provided here.

Many people enjoy watching basketball and supporting their favorite team. If you play the game and want to get better, you need to put in the work and make a commitment. Everyone on the team has to contribute somehow, so you have to be sure that you know what goes into having good basketball skills. These tips will help you become a better basketball player.

If you hold the ball a lot, you have to learn crossovers. This term refers to switching the hand you use. Speed determines the success of the crossover move. When done correctly, a good crossover dribble assists you in being efficient and helping you change direction when you need to.

Free throws are mental as well as physical. You must be mentally strong to be a consistent free throw shooter. Relax and focus on the net, and you’ll be able to make more.

Do not restrict your practices to zone defenses alone. While a great portion of a game will be concentrated in the zone, your rivals could opt to go to man-to-man covering to keep you guessing. If you haven’t practiced against it, you could end up losing your grip on the game quite quickly.

When posting up, solid footwork is essential to getting yourself into position to shoot. You need to have physical presence beneath the net, but you also have to choose the right spot to be in. Having found a good spot, you must secure it. Each of these skills is reliant on good footwork.

Never play through an injury on the court. Basketball is hard to play well even when you are healthy, so don’t push it. If you continue playing, you could make the injury even worse. If it is a serious injury, see a doctor.

Asking for feedback from coaches and teammates about your playing is important in order to become a stronger player. Do you do something really good? They may say that you are a great team defender or are always playing with excellent speed. See what others view as your own natural skills, then be sure you retain and develop them more.

Quickness is a key skill in basketball. You’ll have an advantage if you’re faster than an opponent. In order to be fast, you must constantly do drills. But don’t try to go even faster than you actually are. Playing beyond your own capabilities sends the game spinning past your ability to control it, and turnovers are bound to occur.

A good defensive strategy will keep your opponent on their toes. Focus on getting them out of the comfort zone. Execute aggressive moves. Do not let them choose the plays to make. Otherwise, the opponents will win all the shots and dominate you. Instead, you move first and throw them off their game.

There are many ways you can improve your basketball game. Better players make better teams. Every single participant plays a role, from those on the court to those sitting in the stands. You must do all that you can to help your team out. So keep these tips in mind and become a player that everyone can be glad to have on the team.

Man or woman, basketball is a sport for all sexes. It does not matter what someone’s gender, age or race might be, anyone can enjoy a fun game of basketball. Impress your friends by showing off your moves you learned. Looking for a new move or two? Read on to find some great tips that will help you get in the game.

Keep your head up when you dribble. If you are looking at the ball for any reason while dribbling, you have not put in enough practice. Take you ball with you everywhere. Whenever you are walking and it is appropriate, dribble there. If you’re looking at the basketball, you won’t be able to see what is coming at you.

If you want to excel, you have to play to your strengths. You might not become a big basketball star based on your strengths, but you will be an asset to your team. Understand your strengths and use it to your advantage to help your team win!

Practice your layups a lot. Almost 80% of shots will be layups. Don’t just walk through a layup drill. It is key to go at game tempo to practice the timing needed to maintain accuracy. This running and jumping technique will help you learn how to jump and shoot better during the game.

The key to ball control is to spread your fingers out. This gives you better control of the ball. Do not allow the palm of your hand to make contact with the ball. You should only let the fingers touch the ball during passing or shooting.

If you’ve developed somewhat of a shooting slump, focus on your shoulders. When the shoulders are wrongly positioned, your shot is unlikely to succeed. To help improve your shot, focus on squaring up on each of your shots. Also, allow your dominant shoulder to line up with the rim.

Practice your footwork and control the position of your feet at all times. When you are in possession of the ball, touching the baseline will get you out of bounds. Holding the ball for too many steps and not dribbling will result in a walking call which will cause you to you will lose possession of the ball. A foul will result if you try to take a charge or set a pick and your feet are moving.

If the other team has a good defense, passing the ball between your legs is a good option. This will make it very hard for your defender to get it. This is a tricky move, but it will provide you a good advantage when you play.

Give your layouts the most by launching from the foot that opposes the hand you are shooting with. Use your left foot when shooting with the right hand. Also, this will improve your balance as you approach the basket.

Keep dribbling until you want to shoot or pass. After you have stopped dribbling, your options are quite limited. If you don’t shoot or pass, you can only pivot using 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.

You can now be confident in your ability to play basketball. Now you may even have a few pointers that people you know didn’t even have in mind. Keep in mind that this game is supposed to be fun, and it needs to stay that way. But, it is always fun to win.