TIP! Improving your balance means improving your shots. Many the professional player can be seen slipping out of bounds or making baskets from far away, but these are not proper techniques.

We all know it takes a lot of practice and dedication to become a basketball star. Even when you’re playing for fun, you probably wish to be the best at it. By following the tips here, you can improve your game.

TIP! Perform skills, practice your ball handling and shoot free throws when you are practicing alone. Basketball is usually a team sport, but just because you can’t find others, doesn’t mean you have to just stop thinking about it.

Even professional basketball players spend a lot of time watching other people play basketball. Watch some games on TV, view videos of professional games, and go to some games. Every player has skills that make them good, and you can work on the skills they use.

TIP! Never try to push through pain after an injury. It’s easy to be hurt when playing basketball.

To learn how to pass well, drill without dribbling. It is hard to play basketball without dribbling, and demands accurate passing and teamwork, so it will be a challenge. Try not to lose yourself in frustration if you do not master it immediately, with the more time that passes with you and your team practicing, the more accurate they will become.

TIP! See if your teammates admire something in particular about your game play. Is there something that you excel at? They may say you’re fast or that you share well.

Hand signals will help you avoid those errant passes. It can be frustrating making a pass when a player moves away towards the basket. These common miscommunications can be avoided by utilizing hand signals, which tells the passing player the other player is ready for a pass. If the player does not flash the signal, then the player can avoid an errant pass.

TIP! Never have your back to the ball so that you’re ready for anything in a basketball game. You have to be aware of what is going on with the ball at all times.

Ask your teammates what they like about the way you play. You may have a certain skill that you have perfected. 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! Speed is everything in basketball. If you want the advantage, you’ve got more quickly.

In order to handle the ball correctly, spread your fingers out. This can help you to remain in control of the ball at all times. Don’t let your palm touch the ball either. Whether you are passing or shooting the ball, your fingers are the only part of your hand that should be touching the ball.

TIP! Passing between your legs can be helpful when the other team is riding you hard. Try practicing this by bouncing your ball hard in between your legs while stepping forward or backward.

If you’re looking to be the best defensive player that you can be, you’ll want to know your opponent. Review tapes and keep up with scouting reports. You should know if a player is right or left handed. Knowing an opponent’s dribbling, passing and shooting styles gives you a definite edge on defense. When you are prepared, you play better defense.

TIP! Practice looking the other way when passing. Doing this is a great way to confuse your opponents.

If you need some help seeing where you need work, try to get a friend or relative to record your games. Do you see anything you could do differently? Do not waste time criticizing yourself. Just make an honest assessment. Sometimes you have to face reality about your skills and just not dream about how you want to be.

TIP! To get more out of layups, take off using the foot that;s the opposite of your shooting hand. If you normally shoot using your right hand, jump with your left.

Do your free throw shooting the same way every time. Whatever you do before each shot, from dribbles to body motions, should be the same each time. Keep it simple and consistent, and the routine will become a part of your muscle memory.

TIP! If you want to better your dribble, start practicing with your weaker hand. Being able to effortlessly dribble with both hands gives you the ability to run both sides on an opponent and keep them off guard.

Now, you need to get going and use the advice and guidance found in this piece. Practicing what you already know and implementing what you don’t know will enhance your basketball playing abilities. If you work hard on your game, it’ll get better every day.