TIP! You must become knowledgeable about hitting a free-throw shot. This seems like an easy shot, but it is quite hard.

It’s not surprising that basketball is so popular. It’s a very exciting game. To be good at it, you have to understand the game. The tips below will help you master your technique.

TIP! When dribbling, focus on what’s in front of you by keeping your head up. If you have to look at the ball while dribbling, that means you need to practice more.

If you wish to do better with basketball, you have to focus on what you’re good at. While you may have a particular skill that isn’t going to make you stand out as the star player, honing it can help you become an integral part of your team’s success. You can also focus on your weaknesses if you know what they are.

TIP! If you want to excel, you have to play to your strengths. Even though your best abilities might not make you stand out each game, it is sure to help you contribute to the overall success of the team.

Hand signals can help you to stay away from making bad passes. It’s frustrating to pass to your teammate at the very moment they’re heading toward the basket. This can be prevented through the use of hand signals. If your teammate misses your signal, then they may miss the ball as well and the other team could gain possession.

TIP! Any good basketball player needs to know how to make a layup. Layups comprise approximately 80 percent of all shots.

When an injury occurs while you are playing ball, don’t keep playing with pain. Basketball is very challenging physically, and this can cause further serious injury. If you keep playing when you are injured, you could end up with an injury which keeps you from ever playing again. If you are seriously injured, obtain medical care.

TIP! A great way to hone your own basketball abilities is to watch the pros. Whether seeing an all-pro on YouTube, attending a game in person, or sitting on the couch with buddies to watch your local professional team, there are many chances to observe the best.

Find out what your teammates like most about how you play? Are you skilled at something? You could potentially be excellent in one area while you are busy focusing on another, unaware. Find out what others think your natural abilities are, and be certain to keep developing those skills.

TIP! Practice your pass catching often. You need to be able to retrieve perfect passes and not so perfect passes.

Never turn away from the ball, so that you can always stay ready for anything. You must always be prepared to receive a pass and you need to know where players are on the court. Pay attention to open areas for passes, too.

TIP! To learn how to pass well, drill without dribbling. It is hard to play a game when you don’t dribble, but it will help you to be sure that everyone is passing accurately.

Play a good defense by knowing your opponent. Watch games if you can and look at their tendencies. Figure out which people are right or left handed. This knowledge will help you play the best game possible. A defender with an education will be good at what they do.

TIP! You can play basketball solo before and during the season. Sometimes you cannot find a team of people to play basketball with.

When your shooting isn’t accurate, check out your shoulder position. If your shoulders aren’t properly positioned, your shot is not going to go in. Your shoulders need to be squared up towards where you’re shooting. Your shooting arm’s shoulder also needs to be exactly lined up with the rim.

TIP! If your son or daughter wants to play high school basketball, they need to work on core muscle training. Core muscles are comprised of the hips, lower back, and abdominal muscles.

To generate consistency with layups, leap from the opposite foot from the hand you use to shoot. This means that if you shoot with your right hand, take off from your left foot. That way, the body stays balanced while it moves toward the hoop.

TIP! Make sure your fingers are apart from one another when dribbling. You will have better luck holding onto the ball as well.

You can improve your ability to handle the ball by working out your forearms and hands. Wrist curls are especially effective at making you better able to handle a basketball like you could dribble sleepwalking. Don’t just think you can place yourself in one spot, wait for the ball then hoist up a shot. You must move the ball to have things happen.

TIP! To increase the efficiency of your layups, begin your takeoff on the foot opposite from the hand you’re shooting with. That means, if you shoot right-handed, use your left foot for taking off.

Take charge when the opportunity presents itself. By taking a charge, your team will get the ball. This is a great way to take control of the court and intimidate the other team.

TIP! You must disrupt and upset the play of your opponent if you want to be successful as a defensive player. Don’t let your opponent get comfortable out there on the court.

When dibbling the ball, bend your knees. You will have a hard time controlling the ball if you always stand straight and opponents will be able to steal the ball. To help out your ball control, try bending the knees.

TIP! To avoid turning the ball over to the other team, make sure that you’re dribbling hard. A good hard dribble brings the ball back to you much faster, leaving less time for the opponent to steal it from you.

A missed shot from the corner of the basketball court will usually go to the opposite side. In this situation, you must anticipate the path of the ball to gain possession of the rebound.

TIP! Keep your knees loose when you dribble the ball. If you don’t bend your knees, you are more susceptible to having the ball stolen by the other team.

Work together with the other players on the team. A good basketball team usually comes from having a team that is gelling and in sync with one another. If you know your team members intimately and everyone trusts each other, your game will be seriously enhanced.

TIP! Use the hand that doesn’t have the ball as a block. It’s a foul to push your opponents, but using your arm as a barrier is allowed and will help you to secure the ball.

Don’t dribble twice in a row with a stop in between. This occurs if you restart dribbling seconds after you have stopped your original dribble. Your only options when you stop dribbling are passing the ball or shooting it. It is against the rules to recommence dribbling. Doing so results in a turnover, and your opponent will be given control of the ball.

TIP! Make sure that you are exercising properly for basketball. Distance running will help with stamina and sprinting can help with individual plays.

After a rebound has occurred, the spot where you are positioned will dictate whether possession is retained. If you need to get up with power, use the strength of both legs when you jump and both arms to grab the ball. Once you have the basketball, land with wide feet that will help you keep your balance.

TIP! Create a strong team environment on and off the court. Basketball is something that can work in a team’s favor if they all work together well.

As this article mentioned, basketball is a beloved sport enjoyed globally. This article has also proven that you need knowledge on this sport if you want to play like a pro. Use what you’ve learned here to become the basketball player you want to be.