Basketball is a sport that people of all ages can play. It is a professional sport, and it can also be a sport people do just to get a good workout in. If this is a sport you'd like to learn a little more about, then read through the following tips.

Never pass the ball and stand still. This is a mistake most often made by those new to the game of basketball. Once you've passed the ball, you need to work to get into the best position possible to be passed to again or to grab a rebound from a shot.

When playing Wall Mounted Basketball Hoop, remember that you are playing on a team. Don't be a "ball hog." A team is like a support system and your teammates are there to help you and you should be there to help them. The objective of the game is to work together to beat the opponent.

Be careful not to travel when dribbling the basketball. Traveling occurs when you take too many steps in between dribbles. It's most likely to happen when going up for a shot. Just one extra step will mean the difference between a score and a turnover, so practice shooting as often as you can.

Jump on the ground and dive for those loose balls. Don't be afraid to hit the ground hard and get a little hustle on. Not only will this help the team, but the coach will surely notice your improved effort. Team moral is always a good thing to keep in high numbers.

Learn how to turn on your pivot foot when stopped with the ball. Being able to pivot is an important skill to learn. If you've pulled up your dribble, you can no longer take any steps forward. That means your back foot can't move. But you can pivot on it to face different directions and fake out an opponent. It can help you out of a jam.

You can improve your control of the ball by spreading your fingers. You will have better luck holding onto the ball as well. Keep your palm off the ball, too. You should try your best to only hold onto the ball with your fingertips when passing and shooting.

To become a better dribbler, work on becoming more flexible. The looser and more flexible you are, the better you will be able to elude defenders. Stiffer players are easier to defend. The more flexible you are, the harder it is to defend you. So to improve your dribbling, you need to improve your flexibility.

In order to steal a ball from a dribbler without fouling him, start with your hands low and bring them up toward the ball. This way you hit the ball first with your hand and knock it away. If you start with your hands high and swipe downward, you are going to hit his arm and get called for a foul.

To become a reliable free throw shooter, always go through the same routine before each shot. For example, many people touch their foreheads or tap their chest before making a free throw shot. Keep it simple and consistent, and the routine will become a part of your muscle memory.

Making a pass from between your legs is sometimes a good option when the opposing team is right on top of you. Bounce the ball very hard through your legs while stepping to the front or the back. This technique can really throw off defenders.

When dribbling, try to make your moves below your knee joints. This will mean you have to bend over to dribble the ball and move, but there are advantages. It creates a little more personal space, making the ball harder for an opponent to steal. It also makes it far easier to shake off an opponent for a drive, a shot or a pass.

If your defender has their left foot forward, your right sided dribble won't work. To get around them, crossover the ball to your left and step your right foot outside theirs. Dribble on the left a few times as you slide by and you will be on your way to scoring.

Strength training can improve your game. Conditioning training will also increase your stamina. Younger kids can benefit from boosting their arm and leg strength with proper exercise. As the teenage years approach, weights can be used for even greater impact. It's important to continue strength training when you are an adult to maintain your performance.

Try not to pass the ball further than about 18 feet. If you go longer, you will find that it is easier for the ball to be intercepted by the other team. Shorter passes will always be more successful, so try to stand close to whomever you are passing to.

Never watch the opponents feet, always watch their chest instead. Many players have learned how to fake out opponents with their feet, so it is better to focus your attention on their chest. It is much more difficult to fake upcoming movements with the chest than it is with the eyes or feet.

Incorporate lots of squats into your basketball training. Squats help to increase the natural elasticity of the legs and buttocks. When you need to propel yourself down the court, speed is imperative and demands strong legs. Squats will also do wonders for your jump shot and dunks. Bring weights into your squats and you will create a winning combination.

Get your hands up when playing defense. Get your hands in their face and obstruct their vision. They might be taller or faster than you, but if you get your hands up in their face and obstruct their field of view, you have a better chance of disrupting what they are intending on doing.

After all is said and done, it's not too hard to get into basketball. Once you take in what you've gone over above, it's all up to you how far you go with it. Just make sure you know the rules before you hit the court so you have a better chance to win!