TIP! Concentrate on your strong points if you want to improve your game. If you can rely on your strengths, you will become a better player.

One of the neat facts about basketball is that it is easy to learn. You can pick up the basics in very little time. However, you can always learn more to improve your game, and this article will give you some tips to get started.

TIP! It is important to practice catching the ball from others as much as passing. When you practice, be sure to do drills that improve catching wild throws and making great passes.

Always dribble with your head up and looking forward. 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 as you walk to the market. You will not be able to see what’s happening before you on the court while beholding the ball.

TIP! Don’t bulk up if you want to be good as a jump shooter. Muscle flexibility is more important than muscle mass.

Any good basketball player needs to know how to make a layup. Layups account for up to 80 percent of the shots taken during a game. Dribble the ball in front of you while taking large strides followed by a smooth shot. This technique helps improve your on-court layup skills.

TIP! If you’re injured in a basketball game, don’t attempt to play while in pain. Basketball is physically challenging, and injuries are not uncommon.

Asking for feedback from coaches and teammates about your playing is important in order to become a stronger player. Can you get better at something? It could be your speed, or it could be your back-up abilities. Learn what the other people around you see while you are playing and it may open your eyes to new areas for practice.

TIP! See if your teammates admire something in particular about your game play. Are you really good at any one thing? It could be your speed, or it could be your back-up abilities.

If you’ve developed somewhat of a shooting slump, focus on your shoulders. If your shoulders are in a bad position, no matter how good you are, you won’t make the shot. Keep your shoulders square in line with the basket. The shoulder that’s dominant should be in line with the rim.

TIP! You can improve your control of the ball by spreading your fingers. This way, you won’t lose the ball when holding it.

Always be aware of the locations of your feet and what they’re doing. Stepping even a toe on the baseline with the ball in your hands means you are out of bounds. The ball will be turned over on a walking call if too many steps are taken with no dribble action. If you move either foot while trying to pick, take a charge or set a screen, it will result in a called foul.

TIP! You need to be quick to play good basketball. If you want the advantage, you’ve got more quickly.

If you have someone who can tape your game, you can view the recording to see how well you performed on the court. Did you spot something that could be improved? You can use this information to improve your game. There are times when it pays to view yourself realistically.

TIP! Consistency in your approach is vital to becoming solid at free throws. This can include the number of times you dribble, how you position your feet, or anything else.

Practice dribbling with your weaker hand. If you have two hands that can dribble the ball effortlessly then it becomes easier to get by your opponent. Hold the dominant hand behind the back and make certain you use just the weak hand. Soon enough you will develop those weak hand dribbling skills.

TIP! If you don’t want someone to steal the ball, dribble hard. This will make the ball come back to you faster, and the opponent will have a hard time to get it from you.

Dribble harder if you want to avoid the ball being stolen. A hard dribble returns the ball back to you faster, leaving less chance of it being snatched by the other team. If someone is close to you and is really good at guarding you, pass to another person that’s open.

TIP! Try practicing three pointers from the NBA range in order to be a more effective three point shooter. High school lines, International standard lines, and college lines are closer.

A key play on defense is to draw a charge. Taking charges gives you an opportunity to get defensive stops, get the ball and lay the groundwork for fouls. This can throw off the opposing team and mess up their rhythm.

TIP! To improve your perimeter shooting, it is important to practice every day from various spots on the court. Become better and better by practicing your fast dribble then stopping abruptly to make a shot.

Remain low when playing defense. Doing so improves your reaction time with regards to your opponents’ actions. Remain in a good defensive stance always. If you find you have to abandon your stance to do some blocking, get back into formation as fast as you can.

TIP! It is important that you remain in control of the ball despite which way your body is going. During game time, you’ll find yourself dribbling from all sorts of positions.

Maybe you’ve only recently learned basketball. Or perhaps you’ve played ever since you were young. Regardless of your personal circumstances, this article should help you up your game. Use these tips when you next play a game of basketball.