TIP! Constantly practice layups. 80% of all shots in a game are usually layups.

Have you wanted to learn more about playing basketball, but have not known where to get good information? Don’t worry, you are not alone! Many people wonder, while they are watching a game, how professionals can play basketball at the level they do. You’ll learn a lot through this article to help you become better at the game.

TIP! Watch professionals play to learn from their techniques. Watch professionals play or go check out talented local teams to see who has the moves that you want to learn.

Learn proper dribbling. Instead of using your palm to dribble focus on using your fingertips. Using your fingers allows you to better control the basketball. When dribbling the basketball you should bounce it to your side instead of right in front. Look up and never down at the ground.

TIP! Passing the ball is an important part of playing basketball so practice making and receiving passes. During practice you should come up with drills where you perfect catching bad passes along with the good ones.

Free throws have a huge mental element to them. With everyone watching, it can be easy to allow the pressure to interfere with your game. Stay calm and collected to increase your free throw percentage.

TIP! You can learn how to better pass the ball if you run drills without the dribble. This is very hard to accomplish, but it forces you and your fellow players to work on accurate passing skills.

If you are good at shooting the ball then the last thing you want to do is lift weights. It’s possible to have excessive muscles when you play the perimeter. Some pro shooting guards make their arms large enough to decrease their own field goal percentage.

TIP! If you want to take jump shots, don’t build your arms up too large. While muscle strength is good to have in any basketball position, it is possible to have too much for perimeter play.

Would you like to pull one over on the other team? Try the back pass. Hold the ball in your strong hand to start the pass. Then, put the ball around your back. Then you will use your wrist and flip it in the direction you want the ball to be going. This should be helpful in tricking them team.

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. Always knowing where the ball is will make sure that you are ready if it quickly comes your way.

Play by yourself to practice. Even if you can’t get a bunch of people together to play, you can still practice on your own. There’s nothing wrong with that. You are able to do a lot with solo games. Work on your free throws or your pivot moves. Many things can be practiced.

TIP! When you are passing the ball, get used to looking in the other direction. You are able to confuse opponents with this technique.

Build hand signals so passes are more successful. Oftentimes frustration occurs when trying you aren’t on the same page with a teammate who cuts to the basketball when you try to pass him the ball. Hand signals can help you communicate with your teammate on the court. If no signal is displayed, a pass ought not be made.

TIP! Sly feet will help you get the rebound of your team mates free throw. You’ll have a defender coming at you and this means you have to figure out what can be done to get around them.

To be a good post-up player in the pain, you need to have really good footwork. Securing a good location is critical when playing basketball. After establishing good position, you need to make sure you hold it. Expert footwork is the key to these skills.

TIP! Prevent the opposing team from stealing the ball by dribbling hard. This is because the ball returns to you hand faster, so the opposing team has less of a chance to get it.

If you’re injured in a basketball game, don’t attempt to play while in pain. Basketball is hard to play well even when you are healthy, so don’t push it. Trying to be tough so you can keep going, even when you’re just a little uncomfortable, can make an injury worse. If you have a very serious injury, talk to a doctor.

TIP! Whenever possible, take advantage of an attack. By taking a charge, your team will get the ball.

Ask your fellow teammates if they have an opinion of your skills in the game. What do you need to focus in on and practice more? Perhaps they see you as someone who is fast on the court, or that you’re a really good teammate. Discover what other people feel are your strongest skills and then set about perfecting them.

TIP! Trip up the offense by constantly changing your pace. Sprint towards the hoop then quickly plant your foot, then straighten up.

The bottom line is that while you may like basketball a whole lot, it may be that you lacked some key information about it before today. After reading this article you are now well-educated on the sport. Get started playing basketball with this advice.