No one would attempt to fix a car’s transmission without knowing how to do it. You will become better when you do the research. Use the tips from this article to be able to play the greatest game that you can.

TIP! Be sure to get lots of practice on layups. Four out of every five shots taken in a given game will be layups.

While focusing on offense is fun, you must also make sure you focus on defense. Basketball games are won because of good defense. Offense receives all the glory, but it is nothing without the best defense.

You should practice your crossovers a lot. Crossovers involve moving the ball from hand to hand. This action most be quick to work out. Learn how to perform a crossover dribble will help you get down court quickly.

TIP! A bounce pass is an important technique to learn. It is best when the ball hits the receiving player near the waist.

Your balance is an important aspect to consider when you are shooting. Many the professional player can be seen slipping out of bounds or making baskets from far away, but these are not proper techniques. They are merely making up the play on the spot. Consider proper balance when you shoot, and eventually you’ll consistently make baskets.

You should often work on your layups. Layups account for up to 80 percent of the shots taken during a game. During practice you want to get up enough speed to quickly get to the rim then easily lay the ball towards the hoop. Running and jumping well in practice means better jump shooting in actual games.

TIP! Free throws are mental as well as physical. It is possible to practice the physical movements needed to make such a shot, but when your mental focus is lacking, you are likely to miss.

There is a lot of pressure when shooting free throws. 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.

Would you like to pull one over on the other team? Try doing a back pass! You want to grip the basketball with your strongest hand. Next, place the ball behind you. Flick your wrists in the direction that it must travel. This will confuse the opposition.

TIP! Watching the pros can help you pick up on certain skills for improving your game. You can follow the pros in online videos, on TV and you can also attend a basketball game if there is a pro team in your area.

Perform skills, practice your ball handling and shoot free throws when you are practicing alone. Basketball is usually a team sport, but just because you can’t find others, doesn’t mean you have to just stop thinking about it. It’s okay! You’ll still be able to get a lot done when playing solo. Whether focusing on foul shots or how to pivot with the ball, you can look for ways to improve. You can always do something.

Make use of hand signals so that wild passes can be avoided. Oftentimes frustration occurs when trying you aren’t on the same page with a teammate who cuts to the basketball when you try to pass him the ball. Avoid this with hand signals that let you know if the player is open to receiving the pass. If there is no signal, the player should not make the pass to them.

TIP! Would you like to pull one over on your opponents? Trick them using a back pass. To do this pass, hold on to the ball with your dominant hand.

Never play through an injury on the court. This sport is physically demanding and you can become injured. You may injure yourself more if you continue to play with an injury. If the pain is bad, visit a doctor.

Seek advice from your teammates about how you play the game. What areas are your strong points? It may be that you are quick on your feet or that you are always there to back them up. Honest feedback can really help you to narrow in on areas where you might need a little extra help practicing.

TIP! Good footwork remains a vital part of basketball. Although a strong presence in the key is important, beating your opponent to good spots on the floor is more important.

Make your forearms and hands stronger so you can handle the ball better. Wrist curls can be effective at helping you to control the ball as if you’ll be dribbling in your sleep. Do not make the mistake of thinking you can stay stationary, catch all the ball, and shoot them from that same location. The ball should always be in control and moving.

Make sure that you can see clearly. Vision is an integral part of making shots and catching passes. You have to build your peripheral vision. If you look across the whole game and not just focus on the ball, you can see oncoming defensive pressure in advance, as well as open teammates.

TIP! Ask your fellow team members which of your skills that they admire. You may have a certain skill that you have perfected.

When you are on defense, make sure to keep yourself low. This helps your jumps become quicker and betters your reaction to the person before you simpler. Stay in your defensive stance. You may have to break your stance if you must block a shot, but return as fast as you can.

To increase your three-point shooting skill, shoot from where the NBA players range. All other distance lines, high school, college and International, are not as far. If you can make a basket from there, you will open up the defense because they will have to play you closely.

TIP! If you wish to succeed in a defensive role, you must be able to break your opponents’ concentration. Force them away from their comfort zone.

Learning how to fix something gives you a feeling of pride that doesn’t compare to any other feeling. Ultimately, your realistic self knowledge will lead you to play an excellent game as a cooperative team member. This can help you to impress your teammates, and help you to win games.