The inventor of basketball was Dr. James Naismith (1891). In the last century, basketball has become among the most globally appreciated sports. Michael Jordan comes to mind. J or Magic Johnson, basketball has turned players into celebrities. If learning from their success is what you want, then you should read this article.

Every great player understands how to properly perform a bounce pass. A useful bounce pass will hit the receiving player at waist level. One good rule of thumb is to bounce the ball around three quarters of the way to the other player. At the same time, take into account any other extraneous factors that may affect the pass.

TIP! Many people only direct their attention to the offensive part of the game without realizing that defense is the key to winning. Defense is what wins basketball games.
Frequently practice passing and catching the passes of others. You need to be able to retrieve perfect passes and not so perfect passes. When the game is being played, passes may not be as perfect as we'd like. Be a better teammate by anticipating a bad pass to make sure it doesn't get into the opponents hands.

One way to get a good understanding of your game is to ask your fellow players about your ability. Are you really good at any one thing? Perhaps you have an excellent understanding of defensive strategies or you are the fastest player on your team. Develop your strengths even further and look for ways to improve your weaknesses.

Make sure your fingers are apart from one another when dribbling. This can help you avoid losing it when you hold it. 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.

TIP! You must become knowledgeable about hitting a free-throw shot. This is something that seems simple, but in reality it can be hard.
Build your core strength and work on your footwork. This allows your body to be in balance and be more explosive on the court. Focus on your hip, abdomen, and back muscles. Jump rope like a boxer to improve your fancy footwork.

Watch your shoulders and their position if you notice yourself developing a slump in your shooting. When your shoulders are positioned improperly, you will never make the basket regardless of how good your abilities are. Your shoulders need to be squared up towards where you're shooting. The dominant shoulder must be perfectly aligned with the rim.

For more consistency in making those free throws, stick with the same sequence of motions before you take each shot. This can be any combination of movements that makes you feel comfortable and prepare for the shot. However, they need to be the same combination of movements each time. As long as this is a quick set of movements and it's consistent, you won't have any trouble having your body memorize what you're doing.

TIP! Jump shooters should not also be iron pumpers. Being weighed down by too much bulky muscle can have a negative impact on your jump shot.
Learn to pass the ball without looking at your intended target. This throws your opponents off. When it's done properly, it will cause the opponents to go to the wrong area so that you can pass to someone that has a good look at a basket before shooting. It really can be a powerful technique.

In order to play a game of regulation basketball, you need a court that almost measures a football field, a hoop ten feet in height and ten players. You will become a better player if you learn more about basketball. This article has been a great start, so continue learning and practicing until you master the game.