TIP! Know how to dribble the ball in the correct way. When dribbling the basketball, use your fingertips rather than the palm of your hand.

Basketball is for everyone, whether they be man or woman. People of all ages can enjoy a fun and exciting basketball game. Have your friends take a look at your new skills. What skills might those be? Read on to find some great tips that will help you get in the game.

TIP! Make sure you learn how to shoot free throws. This may seem like an easy task, but in reality, things prove otherwise.

You must learn how to dribble, how a crossover is done and other important ball handling skills. This move entails transferring the basketball from your left hand to your right hand and back again. The action must be very swift if it is to be successful. Once you’ve learned how to use it, the crossover dribble makes it easy to navigate the court in a more effective way.

TIP! Dribble while your head is up and your eyes are forward. If you’ve got your eye on the ball while you’re dribbling, you haven’t mastered it yet.

Perfect your layup technique. 80% of all shots in a game are usually layups. When practicing this technique, run toward the goal and shoot. This method will teach you to improve your jumps and shots throughout the game.

TIP! It is important that you practice layups. Four out of every five shots taken in a given game will be layups.

Jump shooters should not also be iron pumpers. Strong muscles are certainly useful for basketball, but you can overdo it if you plan to play on the perimeter. There have been instances where great shooters bulk up so much that it adversely affects their shooting percentage.

TIP! Lay off the weights if you are trying to become a jump shooter. You do need muscle conditioning and strength, but you can have too much when it comes to shooting field goals.

Boost your defensive abilities by studying the opposing team and its players. Follow the scouting reports and watch tapes of their games. Keep track of which players are right hand dominant and which are left hand dominant. Defense is more effective when you know what your opponent is likely to do. One of the most important keys to being a solid defender is an understanding of your opponent.

TIP! Play basketball against yourself even during the off-season. Even if you can’t get a bunch of people together to play, you can still practice on your own.

If your shooting is suffering, take a close look at your shoulders. If they’re in a poor position, no matter your skill level, you will be unable to make the shot. Ensure that you line up your shoulders so that they are squared with the basketball net. Line up your shooting shoulder with the rim as well.

Free Throw

TIP! If you become injured when playing basketball, stop immediately. It’s easy to be hurt when playing basketball.

To become a reliable free throw shooter, always go through the same routine before each shot. For example, many people touch their foreheads or tap their chest before making a free throw shot. This consistency will get your body in tune to do the same thing every time, increasing your chance to make shot after shot.

TIP! Asking for feedback from coaches and teammates about your playing is important in order to become a stronger player. Are you great at any one thing? Perhaps you have an excellent understanding of defensive strategies or you are the fastest player on your team.

Launch your layup jumps from the foot that is opposite the hand you shoot with. If you play to use your right hand to shoot, you’ll want to use your left foot to take off. That will build your balance and help you stay in the right position.

TIP! Practice passing while looking in other directions. This will easily confuse your opponents.

Using a weaker hand helps improve overall dribbling skills. If you can dribble equally well with each hand, it is simpler to get past your opponents. Force yourself to not use your stronger hand. Eventually, your weak hand will be able to dribble well.

TIP! If you want improve your free throws, you have to develop a routine. If you’re not consistent you’ll find yourself missing free throws.

Make your forearms and hands stronger so you can handle the ball better. Wrist curls can be effective at helping you to control the ball as if you’ll be dribbling in your sleep. You can’t just stand and shoot for the whole game. You have to get the ball around, too.

TIP! A good drill to try is the five dribble drill. You try to get the ball the entire length of the court in only five dribbles.

If you don’t want someone to steal the ball, dribble hard. This causes the ball to return to your hand more quickly, so the offense has less time to try to get it away from you. If you are being closely guarded, you should cease dribbling and pass the ball to an open member of your team.

TIP! If you want to stay in a good defensive position, simply avoid breaking out of your defensive stance. Slide both feet side to side, or just push off using the opposite foot.

After reading this article, you can confidently say that you know all the best moves. You might have gained some useful tips that your friends don’t even know about. Keep in mind that basketball should be fun at all times. Winning will be fun, too, of course!