Basketball is world wide passion. It’s easy to just go down to the park and play a game if you’d like, or you can make it a career if you start early enough. Learn more about the game of basketball from this article.

TIP! When learning the game of basketball, it’s easy to get caught up in offensive play. But you should also give plenty of attention to defense.

Perfect your free throw. The free throw shot might seem simple, but it can actually be pretty difficult. Use this technique to better your game. Hold the ball level with your face. Focus on the ball and visualize it going toward the goal. Then, shoot the ball using the trajectory you pictured.

Make sure you are looking forward and looking up as you’re dribbling. If you are looking at the ball for any reason while dribbling, you have not put in enough practice. The ball can go with you when you go anywhere. If you walk to the store, dribble the ball. Don’t look while dribbling, because you won’t be able to see what’s going on.

TIP! It is important that you perfect dribbling the ball. Instead of using your palm to dribble focus on using your fingertips.

If you have the ball a lot, learn to execute a crossover. A crossover means moving the ball between your hands. The move must be done quickly if it is going to work. When you do it right, the crossover dribble helps you alter directions and go down the court faster.

Work on being able to receive a pass. Try to catch all of the passes that are thrown to you. Understand that during a game, you will receive very scattered passes. Some will be good; some won’t. Make sure that your teammates also practice this type of pass with you.

TIP! Practice your bounce pass. A useful bounce pass will hit the receiving player at waist level.

Would you like to learn how to fool your opponent? Try doing what is known as a back pass. Hold the basketball with your writing hand. Move the ball so that it is behind you. Lastly, flick the wrist in the direction you want the ball to go. This should trick the opposing team.

If you have a high school level basketball player for a kid, be sure their core muscles are properly trained. They should train their lower back, hips, and abs. The lower and upper extremities are linked by the core, and athletes with a weak core will exhibit limited performance. The stronger your core, the higher you will jump.

TIP! If there’s no one around to play with, it is okay to play a basketball game by yourself. Many times you are unable to find people to play with.

Ask a friend to record your games so that you can see how yourself in action. Are you able to look at your skills in a different light? Appraise your performance honestly but don’t be overly harsh with yourself. This gives you an unfettered view of how you actually performed on the court, rather than relying solely on your memory of the game.

Free Throws

TIP! Basketball players of all ages benefit from exercises that strengthen their core. Core muscles include hips, abs and the lower back.

Your routines must be consistent for free throws. If you’re not consistent you’ll find yourself missing free throws. In order to make your free throw perfect, you’ll need to practice the shot many times and get into a routine. This will help you develop a routine. If that routine goes off, it will cause you to miss your shot.

To improve your dribbling skills, practice dribbling with your weaker hand. Getting by an opponent should be a lot easier if you can dribble using both hands. You can actually force yourself to utilize your weak hand by tying your other hand behind you. After a while, your weak hand will be able to dribble better.

TIP! Quickness is a blessing in basketball. Try playing faster than the opponents for a better advantage.

Being a good defensive player involves disrupting your opponent’s concentration. Don’t let them get comfortable. Display aggressiveness in your chosen moves. Other players should not influence the plays you make. You should never let an opponent control what you do on the court. Rather, you make the initial move and break up their flow.

Now you should know how to be a better basketball player. It’s not that hard, but it requires a bit of work and proper knowledge. It is easy to get into playing on a regular basis. It’s time to shoot some hoops!