TIP! Make sure you are dribbling the right way. When you dribble, use the fingertips, not the palm.

The right advice and professional information is all it takes to get started in the right direction. What’s the score? Don’t give up! Basketball is not the easiest game to learn but you can do it. These tips will give you a good start in becoming a skilled player.

TIP! Get educated on the way to properly pass the ball on a bounce. In order for a bounce pass to be sufficient, the person should receive the ball around their waist.

You must become knowledgeable about hitting a free-throw shot. This kind of shot seems easy, but it really is not. This technique should be practiced often if possible. Hold the ball level to your face. Eye the basket and imagine the ball swishing down into it. Then shoot! Shoot the ball in the trajectory you imagined.

TIP! One way to help improve your overall basketball skills is to spend some time watching what the pros do. You can do this by watching games in person and on television.

Always work on your layups. You should expect layups to represent about 80% of all the shots you take in a game. Don’t just walk through a layup drill. It is key to go at game tempo to practice the timing needed to maintain accuracy. Running and jumping well in practice means better jump shooting in actual games.

TIP! Do not only practice zone defense plays. Learn how to play a man-to-man defense and a zone defense to get the best understanding of how the game works.

It is important to practice catching the ball from others as much as passing. Try to catch all of the passes that are thrown to you. During a hectic game, every throw is not going to be perfect. Being able to get imperfect passes will limit turnovers.

TIP! Lay off the weights if you are trying to become a jump shooter. While muscle strength is good to have in any basketball position, it is possible to have too much for perimeter play.

You can improve your passing skills by practicing a simple drill where dribbling is forbidden. It is a challenge not to dribble while playing, but it will ensure the accuracy of your team’s passes. The accuracy of passes will greatly improve over time and the drill will become a lot easier.

TIP! A great way you can prepare for what happens on the basketball court is to avoid having your back to the ball. This helps you become aware of the court and lowers chances for surprises from turnovers and quick passes.

Play solo basketball in the months leading up to the season, as well as during the season itself. Though basketball is surely a team sport, there may be times when you have nobody to play against. It’s okay! You can still do a lot on your own. Practice pivoting or doing free throws. There are many things you can work on.

TIP! If you find yourself unable to shoot well, consider your shoulders. When the shoulders are wrongly positioned, your shot is unlikely to succeed.

If you’re on the offense, you footwork needs to be excellent to stay open for passes and shots. You must be certain to get the good spot ahead of your opponent. Having found a good spot, you must secure it. Strong footwork is key.

TIP! Have someone record the games you play so that you can watch it to check out your form. Do you see anything you could do differently? When looking at the tape, don’t be too critical, but be honest.

Spread your fingers out to handle the ball properly. That makes it less likely that you lose control of the ball. However, remember to keep your palm away from the ball. The only things that should touch the ball are your fingers, as you shoot or pass.

TIP! If the opposing team is guarding you to much, you can try a pass between your legs. To practice this skill, bounce the ball between your legs so that it passes through as you step back and forth.

It’s great to be quick in basketball. Gaining agility and speed will give you the upper hand when playing a game of basketball. Playing fast takes practice, though, and steady drilling. However, you should not attempt to play any faster than your abilities permit. By playing beyond your speed capabilities, you will quickly lose control of the ball, which will lead to bad passes, bad shots, and turnovers.

TIP! Create a routine to improve your free throw success. A consistent routine enables the shooter to have a perfect motion every time.

Practice looking in a different direction when you pass. This is a great technique in order to help confuse the opponents. When you do it right, the opponents are going to think you’re moving in one direction. That way, the person you’ve given the ball to has a bit of time to look at the net to taking a shot. When executed properly, this is a powerful play.

TIP! Sly feet will help you get the rebound of your team mates free throw. The defender below you will be moving toward you, so find a way to slip around him and get to the ball.

That wasn’t too bad, right? With all that you’ve now read about basketball, you really can see that it’s an amazing sport. Using this information can better your game or better your TV experience when watching the pros.