TIP! Make sure to practice your layups whenever possible. During any game, layups make up about 75 percent of the game.

There are few countries where basketball isn’t played. Everyone that plays it has specific skills that they can do to boost their team’s chances of winning. The following article will share some useful advice to help you improve your game.

TIP! Hitting free throws is a mental challenge as well as a physical one. You can train your body to complete the motions of making a free throw, but if you are mentally prepared to fail, you will.

When posting up, solid footwork is essential to getting yourself into position to shoot. You need to have physical presence beneath the net, but you also have to choose the right spot to be in. After grabbing the position, you need to hold the area. Expert footwork is the key to these skills.

TIP! Shake things up rather than focusing solely on a zone defense. Most of the game is played in zone, but your opponent may try to switch things up to do man-to-man coverage.

To properly handle the ball, you have to spread your fingers out. That makes sure that you don’t lose the ball when you hold it. Additionally, the palm of your hand should not come into contact with the ball. The only things that should touch the ball are your fingers, as you shoot or pass.

TIP! How would you like to trick the opposing team? Try using a back pass! Use the dominant hand whenever trying a behind the back pass. Then, put the ball around your back.

As you perform your fitness routine, make it a point to target your core and your footwork. You will stay balanced if your core is strong. Focus on your hip, abdomen, and back muscles. Your speed and footwork can be improved by jumping rope.

TIP! If you have a kid that wants to play basketball in high school, ensure they’re training core muscles in the right way. The concept encompasses the abdominal muscles, the hips and the lower back.

Have a friend or family member tape your games so you can view how you appear on the court. Do you see how you could’ve handled a situation differently? Evaluate what you see honestly, but don’t be too hard on yourself. Analyze your skills honestly so you can become the player you want to be.

TIP! One great thing to do if you wish to be prepared while playing is to make sure your back isn’t turned to the ball. This will give you court awareness and keep you from being surprised by quick passes or turnover potentials.

To become a great free thrower, practice and develop a routine you will use during each shot. For example, you might tug your ear, dribble three times, or flex your wrists. This consistency will get your body in tune to do the same thing every time, increasing your chance to make shot after shot.

TIP! To help perfect your free throw abilities you should perform a consistent routine. It could be that you dribble several times, bend at the knees, brush your hair out of your eyes or do something else.

Practice passing while looking the opposite direction. You are able to confuse opponents with this technique. If you’re doing it correctly you can fake your opponent out so he/she moves towards that direction and then you pass the ball to a wide open teammate for a shot. If this is pulled off, then it usually has good results.

TIP! Passing the ball through your legs is a useful maneuver if the opposing team is right on top of you. Practice bouncing the basketball forcefully between your legs while stepping forwards and backwards.

You need to mess with your opponent’s head. Force them away from their comfort zone. When you are guarding, do so aggressively. Don’t allow them to control the match. If you allow this to happen, your opponent will have the upper hand. Try making the initial move and interrupt their rhythm.

TIP! Try practicing looking in the opposite direction when you pass. It can be very confusing to your opponents.

Always stay low when playing defensively. This helps your reaction time against your opponent. Keep yourself in proper defensive stance at all times. When you have to break out of stance to block a shot, get back into form as quickly as possible.

TIP! To play good defense, you have to upset and disrupt your opponent. Force them into an uncomfortable zone.

If you want to build the dexterity of your weaker hand, start using it for everyday tasks like shining your shoes or opening doors. If your ability to use that hand starts to improve, the benefits to your basketball playing talents will be substantial. This also can significantly help your basketball game.

TIP! Ensure that you have good court awareness. This is not just to make reading the scoreboard easier, but also to facilitate the making of shots and catching of passes.

Do not stop dribbling unless you’re going to shoot or pass. The instant you stop the dribble, your options become limited. If you don’t shoot or pass, you have to pivot on the back foot. When you do this, your opponents can double team you and steal the ball.

TIP! Take charges whenever possible. When you do that, you can earn defensive stops, get the ball back, and set up foul shots against the other team.

Improving yourself and sharpening your skills goes a long way toward becoming a better basketball player. This article offered up a bevy of ideas and insights to help you support your team. Keep practicing and you’ll get better.