TIP! Practice your layup shot as frequently as possible. Layup shots make up nearly 80% of a game’s shots.

People around the globe love basketball. It is easy enough that anyone of any age can enjoy it. When playing, you refine your cooperation skills as well as your sense of sportsmanship. The article below is essential if you wish to learn more about basketball.

TIP! Learn the way to throw proper bounce passes. Executed properly, a bounce pass will connect with the receiving player at the waist.

A good tip is to practice your layups on a daily basis. This is the most popular shot in basketball. Run full tilt to the basket, then smoothly jump and shoot. Practicing this technique helps you learn to make layups during a game.

TIP! Free throws are as mental as physical. You must train both your body and your mind.

If you’re a jump shooter, don’t lift weights too often. Muscle strength is great for any position in basketball, you can have too much when it comes to perimeter play. Some professionals develop their muscles so much that they are actually having a hard time with shooting.

TIP! Your fingers should always be spread out when handling the ball. That will ensure that it doesn’t get away from you as you hold it.

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. If you are just stepping into position, you now have to secure the spot. Footwork is the key to either of these.

Playing Basketball

TIP! In order to ensure that you are always ready to defend, keep your stance at all times. Keep your feet moving to each side or push your opposing foot off so you can keep yourself in position.

If you become injured when playing basketball, stop immediately. It’s easy to be hurt when playing basketball. If you keep playing when you are injured, you could end up with an injury which keeps you from ever playing again. Be sure to seek medical care if you have a serious injury.

TIP! Change your pace up to throw the offense off. As you are heading towards the net, straighten up and plant down your foot.

It’s important to know where you have your feet and also what they’re doing. If you fall on a baseline, you will be out of bounds. Not dribbling when you take more than a few steps will result in a walking call as well as a forfeit of the ball. You can’t move a foot when you take a charge, pick or screen either, or it’s a foul.

Free Throws

TIP! Make sure your off-court exercise is appropriate to help your on-court game. Sprints helps with individual plays, and long-distance running gives you stamina.

Consistency in your approach is vital to becoming solid at free throws. This could mean dribbling twice, shaking out your head to loosen your neck or whatever else makes you comfortable. As long as you make it quick, if you have a consistent routine, your body will remember how to make those free throws after you go through your ritual.

TIP! Be sure to be well acquainted with your team mates so that you can all work well in cooperation. Basketball is considered a team sport.

Practice dribbling with your weak hand as much as possible. Dribbling with both hands helps you gain the upper one. Practice with your weak hand by tying your dominant hand behind your back. This will train your weaker hand to dribble and control the ball well.

TIP! Mix up different shots from all over the court when you practice shooting. Begin with practicing your grip and balance.

Dribble hard to avoid ball stealing. This is because the ball returns to you hand faster, so the opposing team has less of a chance to get it. If you have somebody guarding you very closely, pass the ball to an open teammate.

TIP! If you’re serious about basketball, seriously consider your diet. You use a lot of fuel playing basketball so a lot of carbs is needed, as well as adequate protein and fats.

Once you are in your defensive stance, remember to hold your ground. Use a shuffling side to side motion to ensure you are in position. If you never allow your feet to cross one another you will invariably be a very hard player to get passed.

TIP! Many shots from the court corner end up sailing right over the basket. Positioning yourself on the opposite side of the basket will increase your chances of getting the rebound.

It can help your basketball skills when you strength train. Strength and stamina are both needed to excel at basketball. Even smaller children can use fitness routines to build stronger arms and legs. As they grow and gain skills, they will be even better players. The adult years are where strength training is crucial to maintain solid performance on the court.

TIP! You should never double dribble. Double dribbling occurs after a pause in dribbling.

Keep your knees bent while dribbling. If you don’t bend your knees, you are more susceptible to having the ball stolen by the other team. To help out your ball control, try bending the knees.

TIP! Try to stay calm as you shoot. It’s important that the basket is your main focus.

Continuously dribble the ball until you have an opening to pass it to one of your teammates, or you are prepared to shoot. If you stop dribbling, then you don’t really have that many options. You can’t do anything but pivot if you don’t shoot or pass. This situation leaves you vulnerable to a double team by the defense, and you risk losing the ball.

TIP! Try to always know the location of the ball once it leaves someone’s hands. An important part of basketball is rebounding.

Keep all motion below the knees if possible. This will make it harder for opponents to get the ball away from you. Although this means bending a bit, you will be able to move quickly down the court, particularly since you will be successfully avoiding those who are attempting to get the ball from you.

TIP! Be sure you understand how important good passing is. You can confuse the opposition with your passes.

To help ward off your opponent, practice using your other hand to help shield him away from you. You don’t need to push any opponents since that’s a foul, but try using your non-dribbling arm like a separator for keeping the ball safe. Keep it up and dribble with your other hand.

TIP! When you’re playing defense, one of the best things you can do is force your opponent to the sideline. If you leave the middle part of the court open, it gives them more options to stop you or make plays on offense.

Why in the world is basketball as popular as it is? It’s because the sport is so fun to play once you know the basics. Basketball fans and players who are enamored of the game will appreciate the tips presented here. As your skills improve, play more often to put those skills to the test.