Basketball is a wildly popular sport. From playing at the park to watching the best in the sport play for a championship, Basketball is a sport that reaches a lot of people. Most players are in it to win it. The following article has excellent tips that will show you how to better your basketball playing skills.

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.

When dribbling, focus on what’s in front of you by keeping your head up. Anyone who watching the ball while they dribble surely needs to spend more time in the gym practicing. The ball can go with you when you go anywhere. Walking to your mailbox? Dribble the ball. By looking forward instead of at the basketball, you are able to see the happenings on the court.

Focus on your strong point to help you become a better ball player. 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!

Free Throws

Connecting on your free throws is as much mental as it is physical. Of course, you can show your body how to make free throws. However, if you’re not in the right state of mind, you won’t succeed. Stay relaxed and just focus on the goal and you will increase your free throw rate.

TIP! Make sure that you practice your layups frequently. A huge percentage of successful shots are layups.

A good tip about passing is try doing it without dribbling the ball. It is a challenge not to dribble while playing, but it will ensure the accuracy of your team’s passes. It may seem nearly impossible at first, but over time your team will learn to throw accurate passes and be in good position to receive them.

Never have your back to the ball so that you’re ready for anything in a basketball game. This will make you more aware of the court and you won’t be surprised when turnover potentials come up or quick passes. Keep an eye open for easy shots.

TIP! Teach yourself to throw bounce passes correctly. Bounce passes need to be at waist level when received.

Keeping your fingers spread will facilitate better ball handling. This gives you better control of the ball. You should avoid having your palm touching the ball. Fingers should be the only point of contact as you pass or shoot the ball at its target.

Hopefully, now you understand what it takes to play better. Continue to learn new techniques and perfect your skills. Practice skills, run drills and play whenever you get the chance. Whether practicing with your own team, playing with some friends, or playing with players that are younger just for fun, it will help you share your love of the sport and help you get better at it.