TIP! Having a good foundation is key when shooting the ball. While some NBA players are able to launch a ball to the net mid-fall, this is not appropriate for most people.

Basketball is very popular. Whether is it the watching the championships, playing on a team of your own or just shooting hoops in your own yard, basketball is definitely here to stay. Everyone who plays basketball for competition wants to win. Check out the advice below to discover ways to help shift your game to that next gear.

TIP! Work on improving your strengths to become an even better player. The best talent you have isn’t going to have you starring in every highlight reel, but having a good skill set can benefit your team.

Dribble properly. Instead of using your palm to dribble focus on using your fingertips. Using your fingertips will allow you to have better control when dribbling the ball. Dribble to your body’s side instead of doing it out front, and bounce the ball at your waist’s level. Keep your head up and do not look at the ground.

TIP! Make layups a part of your daily practice regimen. Layups comprise approximately 80 percent of all shots.

When dribbling, make sure that you look forward and keep your head up. If you are looking at the ball for any reason while dribbling, you have not put in enough practice. Bring your ball along when you go out. Dribble the ball when you’re walking to the shops. Remember, if you are directly staring at the ball, there’s no way for you to see what’s happening on the court.

TIP! As you exercise to improve your game, it is important to work on your footwork and strength. Your body is going to be more balanced and be able to move faster when you have strong core muscles.

To be a good post-up player in the pain, you need to have really good footwork. You must be certain to get the good spot ahead of your opponent. After grabbing the position, you need to hold the area. Both skills rely on some solid footwork.

TIP! Consistency in your approach is vital to becoming solid at free throws. Always dribble the same way, or with the same movements.

Never play through an injury on the court. This is an aggressive sport, and injuries happen often. If you try to keep playing, you can hurt yourself worse. Anytime you have a serious injury, you should seek medical attention.

TIP! To be a strong defender, you must have the ability to disrupt and interfere with the opponents’ plans. Force them to leave their comfort zone.

Find out what your teammates like most about how you play? Are you great at any one thing? Perhaps you are great backup or fast on your feet. Learn what the other people around you see while you are playing and it may open your eyes to new areas for practice.

TIP! You need to work on your forearms and your hands to handle the ball more efficiently. One important exercise is wrist curls, which help you with your dribbling.

One great thing to do if you wish to be prepared while playing is to make sure your back isn’t turned to the ball. You develop a good feel for the game around you, making it much easier to quickly react to your opponent. When your eyes are constantly assessing the game, you will be better able to make easy shots.

TIP! Dribble hard to make it less likely for the ball to be stolen. This makes the ball go back to your hand quicker, so offense has reduced chances at taking it from you.

Have someone taper your games and then watch it to see how you look on the court. Can you see where you can improve your form? Are there things you might have done differently? Honestly and openly assess your own performance. You can learn a lot by watching how you play and what you need to concentrate practicing on.

TIP! If you want to stay in a good defensive position, simply avoid breaking out of your defensive stance. Slide your feet from side to side or push off with your opposing foot so that you are always in position.

If the opposing team is breathing down your neck, it’s a good idea to pass the ball between your legs. Refine this skill by bouncing a ball with force between the legs while stepping backwards or forwards. If this move is something you master, you’ll have an advantage when you go out to play a game.

TIP! In order to improve your game, make sure you do plenty of strength training. You need both strength and endurance if you are going to excel.

Practice passing while looking in the opposite direction. This is a great way to fake out your opponents. When you do this right, looking this way will make the opponents go to the wrong place so that when you pass the other person has a better chance at making a shot. It’s a powerful play when done right.

TIP! You can strengthen you weaker hand by using it as much as possible, for instance open jars or even brush your teeth. By improving your weaker hand’s dexterity, your control over the hand will significantly improve.

As you’ve learned, there are various ways to better your game. It can be easy when you practice. Practice is important to anything worth doing – just do it! You can practice alone, play with teammates or enjoy a pickup game in your neighborhood.