TIP! Pay attention to what you are good at. Your strengths might not make you a star player, but you’ll be contributing a lot to your team.

A lot of people enjoy basketball because it is fun. That said, it isn’t easy to master. Basketball is fun for anyone who chooses to play it. Read on to learn how you can make the most of your basketball experience.

TIP! Keep practicing your layups. Layups comprise approximately 80 percent of all shots.

You need to learn the correct way to dribble the ball. When you dribble, use the fingertips, not the palm. This will give you better control of the basketball. Keeping the ball to your side will help it from getting in the way. You should always be looking up instead of at the ground.

TIP! Good footwork is essential to escaping coverage and putting yourself in position to take a shot when you are posting up. Securing a good location is critical when playing basketball.

Make sure you dribble properly by keeping your head held up, facing forward. If you must look at the ball while dribbling, you haven’t practiced enough. Take your basketball everywhere. Dribble as you walk to the market. Get used to looking up as you go so that you can focus your attention on the court and not on your hands and the ball.

TIP! Ask teammates what they admire about your playing skills? Do they feel you are really good at something? Maybe you are quick like lightening or maybe you are a strong defender. Find out what others perceive as your natural gifts and build upon those more completely.

Watching the pros play is a great way to see how great basketball players use their skills in the game. You can do this by watching games in person and on television. You’ll notice that each player has a skill that they are great at. Choose a move that you like and start practicing it.

TIP! Remember to spread your fingers when handling the ball. You are more likely to hold onto the ball this way.

Try playing basketball games alone before and during the season. There are times you may not find anyone to play with you. No problem. You can still do a lot on your own. Whether focusing on foul shots or how to pivot with the ball, you can look for ways to improve. Many things can be practiced.

TIP! You must know your opponent in order to be tough on defense. Watch tapes of their games and see how others move on the court.

Good footwork is important when you’re posting up in the paint. Although it’s important to have a physical presence underneath the basket, it’s more important that you get in a good place before your opponent can. Once you’re in the proper position, you’ll have to then secure your spot. Expert footwork is the key to these skills.

TIP! Dribble harder if you want to avoid the ball being stolen. This makes the ball come back to you faster so the people on defense aren’t able to steal it as easily.

The key for controlling the ball well is to spread your fingers. This will help you keep a better grip on the ball. Additionally, the palm of your hand should not come into contact with the ball. Your fingers should be all that is holding the ball when you pass it or shoot it.

TIP! If possible, keep the ball below your knees. Opponents will have a hard time stealing the ball from you if you keep it low.

Quickness is a blessing in basketball. Speed always gives you an edge over your opponent. To speed up the pace of your play, you need to keep practicing. But don’t try to go even faster than you actually are. By playing beyond your speed capabilities, you will quickly lose control of the ball, which will lead to bad passes, bad shots, and turnovers.

Free Throws

TIP! You don’t want to double dribble while on the court. A double dribble is when you stop dribbling, then start again.

Having a pre-free-throw shot routine will help you become dependable at free throws. You could dribble twice, touch your forehead, bend your knees, or some other kinds of movements. Just make your routine quick, so that it can be consistent, and your body is going to remember just how to nail free throws following your ritual.

TIP! Passing is the most important part of the game: not shooting. Good passing skills will help you baffle your opponent.

Consistent free throws require a consistent technique. Inconsistency will ruin your shots. You can shoot better free throws by making sure you use the same exact routine every time, and of course practice. If you break your routine, you’ll start missing shots.

TIP! A great way to beat teams in zone defense is a penetrating dribble. If you pass the defender en route to your lane, the opposing team has no choice but to collapse or shift the ball.

Prevent the opposing team from stealing the ball by dribbling hard. The ball bounces faster, giving the guard less time to steal. If you are being guarded closely, bring your dribbling to an end and pass the ball to another open team member.

TIP! You should know your weaknesses. And that starts with being honest about your skills.

You want to keep your vision completely clear at all times. Vision is an integral part of making shots and catching passes. You have to build your peripheral vision. Being aware of the entire court will help you to better anticipate who will move where.

TIP! Dribbling is both mental and physical, especially for advanced athletes. It is not only about bouncing the ball but the position, spin and speed of the ball in combination with your foot placement.

Developing your muscle strength and flexibility will make you a better basketball player. Conditioning training will also increase your stamina. Even the youngest kids that play will benefit from the game. As they grow and become teenagers, weight-lifting can be beneficial. When they become an adult, weight training becomes mandatory.

TIP! Avoid arguing with the game officials. While you don’t agree with a call, or you have a question, don’t be rude about it.

Keep a rhythm while dribbling to throw your opponents off. Consistent dribbling disrupted by a sudden, fast pace will surprise your opponent, giving you the advantage. The change in speed and sound can surprise your opponent.

TIP! Even more than other popular team sports, good communication is vital in basketball. In order to establish a solid base of communication, it must be practiced from the beginning.

If you’re serious about basketball, seriously consider your diet. Basketball uses a lot of energy; therefore, it is important to fuel your body with lean protein and whole grains. Good additions to your daily diet include whole grain bread, lean chicken and nuts. Conversely, avoid salt and sugar whenever you can.

TIP! Your footwork is something that you need to practice. Know how to place your feet when it comes to pivoting and playing different positions.

Be sure to practice good teamwork on the court and off. A good basketball team usually comes from having a team that is gelling and in sync with one another. Trusting your teammates is key to becoming a good team and also bettering your own skills, and that leads to your team winning lots of games!

TIP! Try to defend every single shot taken by the other team. Keep your arms up and spread out to protect the basket from a possible shot.

Do you feel ready to show others your game? Perhaps a little practice of what you read should come first. Get energized, motivated, and excited and then get out on the court! Soon, you’ll notice you are doing better with your game because of the information here.