TIP! Concentrate on your strong points if you want to improve your game. You might not have star ability, but you can be an outstanding team player.

Basketball is a game which is enjoyed by many people in many countries. Everyone that plays it has specific skills that they can do to boost their team’s chances of winning. To learn some ways to better your own skills, read the article below.

TIP! Practice your layup shot often. In a typical game, up to four-fifths of all shots are layups.

When dribbling, your head must be up, and you need to look forward. If you must look at the ball while dribbling, you haven’t practiced enough. If you are just getting started, bring your ball with you everywhere. You can practice dribbling when you have to walk to the store. If you are staring at the ball, there is no way you can know what else is happening on the court.

TIP! If your kid is going to try out for the basketball team, they should be properly training their core muscles. Focus on hips, lower back and abs.

To improve your game, concentrate on your strong points. Your best skills may not be center-stage every game, but knowing how to play the best angles can help you give more to your team. Perfect what you can do well by practicing and developing the strengths you already have.

TIP! If posting up is what you’re doing, you have to have good footwork to get open for a shot. Getting a great position under the goal is the most important.

Successful free throws require you to be mentally and physically strong. With everyone watching, it can be easy to allow the pressure to interfere with your game. Relax, take your time and be focused.

TIP! Play a good defense by knowing your opponent. You should be look at scouting reports, practicing techniques and watch tapes.

If you want to take jump shots, don’t spend time pumping iron. Muscle strength is great for any position in basketball, you can have too much when it comes to perimeter play. Many guards in the pros have developed their arm muscles too big, which has really harmed their shooting percentage.

TIP! Speed is everything in basketball. You need to be faster than the opposing team if you want the advantage.

Avoid errant passes by the use of hand signals. It can be frustrating making a pass when a player moves away towards the basket. The use of hand signals can help you avoid this difficulty. If no signal is displayed, a pass ought not be made.

TIP! To land your layups, jump off the foot opposite the hand you shoot with. If you normally shoot using your right hand, jump with your left.

If you become injured when playing basketball, stop immediately. This is a physically challenging game, so you may end up hurt much worse. Trying to play through the pain could just cause more damage. If an injury is serious, go to see a physician.

TIP! Dribble hard if you don’t want the ball taken from you. The ball returns more quickly to your hand when you do this, giving the opponents fewer opportunities to steal it from you.

If you aren’t shooting the ball well, you need to concentrate on your shoulders. When your shoulders are not properly positioned, then it is almost impossible to perform at your best. You’ll want to ensure that your shoulders are squared up towards the hoops. The shoulder that’s dominant needs to be lined up with the rim perfectly.

TIP! In order to confuse the offense, try changing your pace. When running toward the hoop, plant your leading foot and start to straighten up.

Practice looking in the opposite direction when you make a pass. This may confuse your opponents, greatly. When you do it right, the opponents are going to think you’re moving in one direction. That way, the person you’ve given the ball to has a bit of time to look at the net to taking a shot. It can be a really powerful play.

TIP! For your weaker hand, to build skills, use it off-court for as much as you can, from brushing teeth to opening jars. If you gain more mastery of it in all walks of life, you improve overall control.

Give your layouts the most by launching from the foot that opposes the hand you are shooting with. Practice shooting using your right hand, then jump off your left foot. Doing this lets you maintain balance and movement towards the goal, while keeping your body in between your defender and your shot.

TIP! When you dribble, keep your knees comfortably bent. When you stand straight up, you’ll find that the ball is harder to control and the ball will be a lot easier for an opponent to steal.

You must have a consistent practice routine if you want to learn to shoot free throws well. If you stay inconsistent, you miss a shot. The most effective method to achieve a great free throw is by practicing it repeatedly until you get it right. If you don’t stick to your routine, you could miss the shot.

TIP! Only cease dribbling when you are prepared to shoot or pass. After dribbling is stopped, your choices are very limited.

You need to put a damper in your opponent’s plan if you want to be successful with defending. Make them uncomfortable. When you are guarding, do so aggressively. Do not allow them to decide which plays to make. Otherwise, the opponents will win all the shots and dominate you. Instead, disrupt their rhythm by making the first move.

TIP! Concentrate your ball-handling below knee level whenever possible. This will make your opponent struggle to steal the ball from you.

Everyone who tries their hand at basketball works on perfecting certain skills needed to do well. After going through the article above it shouldn’t be hard to know what needs to be done if you want to be better at basketball. Take another look at the piece if you want, but be sure to use this advice to become a better player.