TIP! Dribble properly. Avoid using your palm while dribbling.

It is tough to over-exaggerate how much people love basketball. If you really want to enjoy the game, either from watching from your seat or being on the actual court, it is important to understand the game thoroughly. The information in this article will help you get some additional insight into the game.

TIP! Perfect your free throw. These shots look easy on television, but are actually hard when you are doing the shooting.

Practice your layup shot as frequently as possible. Almost 80% of shots will be layups. Run as fast as possible, while jumping and performing a smooth shot. Running and jumping well in practice means better jump shooting in actual games.

Free throws are as much mental as they are physical. You must train both your body and your mind. Relax, take your time and be focused.

TIP! Proper balance is essential when shooting. Of course, pros may make baskets from a great distance while falling off the court, but this isn’t standard.

One of the most vital attributes one needs to play basketball is quickness. Always stay ahead of the opposition. To speed up the pace of your play, you need to keep practicing. Just don’t play any faster than you’re able to. Doing so can cause the game to spin out of control as turnovers and faulty passes are made.

TIP! Be sure to get lots of practice on layups. During any game, layups make up about 75 percent of the game.

A good way to see yourself playing is to have someone record your games. Did you spot something that could be improved? Be honest with yourself but don’t be too harsh. It can be an eye-opener to see how you’re playing the game really, not just what you picture it to be.

TIP! Never play through an injury on the court. You can easily tear a muscle or even break a finger while playing.

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. Doing this lets you maintain balance and movement towards the goal, while keeping your body in between your defender and your shot.

TIP! If you slump when you shoot, look at what your shoulders are doing. When your shoulders are positioned improperly, you will never make the basket regardless of how good your abilities are.

Being a successful defensive player means upsetting and disrupting your opponent’s play. Do not allow your opponent to become comfortable with their style, or yours. When making a move, be aggressive. Do not allow them to decide which plays to make. If you let them, you’ll be at their mercy. To avoid this, stay aggressive and try to interrupt their thought patterns and rhythm.

TIP! Practice your footwork and control the position of your feet at all times. Stepping ever so slightly out of bounds while you have the ball can cause an overturn.

You must be able to box out other players when attempting to rebound free throws. The person defending the position down-court from you will be coming at you, so you need to find any way you can to slide around him that gets you to the ball. You won’t foul as you catch the rebound this way.

TIP! Give your layouts the most by launching from the foot that opposes the hand you are shooting with. If you use your right hand to shoot, use your left foot to take off.

A good basketball drill to perform is to see if you can get the ball down the entire court in 5 or less dribbles. This will help you to gain speed, stride length and control of the ball. You will have easy layups on fast breaks and you will be able to advance your team easily.

TIP! Being a good defensive player involves disrupting your opponent’s concentration. Make them uncomfortable.

Try to keep the ball in your line of sight at all times. This isn’t just for reading the score, but for catching passes and making shots. Your peripheral vision should be up to par. If you scan the entire court, not just the location of the ball, it is possible to anticipate defense moves in advance and see which teammates are open.

TIP! Dribble hard to make it less likely for the ball to be stolen. A good hard dribble brings the ball back to you much faster, leaving less time for the opponent to steal it from you.

Use wrist curls to increase the strength in your weaker arm. If you’re able to become more ambidextrous, you are going to be able to better control it on the court. Soon enough you will see great improvements on the court.

TIP! Bend the knees when you dribble a basketball. The farther the ball has to bounce, the less control you will have of it.

If it is possible, keep all action below the knee. This makes it more difficult for your opponents to steal the ball. It will take flexibility, balance and bending but just keep moving toward the goal.

TIP! To increase your three-point shooting skill, shoot from where the NBA players range. The standard line , high school and college lines are all going to be closer.

Exercise off the court. Work on sprints to make you faster and build your stamina. Lift weights to build your power. You will also gain aggression and confidence that will help you when shooting.

TIP! Dribble in a rhythmic way until you desire to catch the opposing player off guard. A consistent pace for your dribble will lull your opponent, and help you move more quickly than they do when the time comes.

Communication with your team mates is crucial to your overall success. Your actions and strategies must not be kept to yourself. Basketball is played by a team. Offense and defense aren’t up to the individual. Everyone helps everyone else. Be vocal on the court to form better communication with your teammates for play.

TIP! Create a team environment that is tough on the court and off of it. A good basketball team usually comes from having a team that is gelling and in sync with one another.

Remember that your diet has a great affect on your basketball performance. Playing basketball uses a lot of energy, so it is important that you eat a lot of carbs, lean meats and protein. Great ideas to bring into your diet are wheat breads, peanut butter, chicken and nuts. Limit your consumption of salt and sugar.

TIP! What your position is in relationship to the rebound can help you figure out if you will still have the ball. Jumping with both feet creates a more balanced, powerful motion.

If someone is shooting from a corner of the court, a missed shot will likely bounce right over the net and to the other side of the court. In this situation, you must anticipate the path of the ball to gain possession of the rebound.

TIP! If you are assigned to defend someone bigger than you are, try staying in the passing lane between your man and the current ball handler. This will prevent them from getting an easy pass and stop them from shooting the ball right over your head.

There is hardly a game more loved internationally than the fine sport of basketball. Yet, without knowing a few intricacies of this surprisingly complex game, newcomers might get lost. Hopefully, you have learned a little something from the tips included above.