TIP! Make sure you are dribbling the right way. Proper dribbling technique involves use of the fingertips, not the palm of the hand.

People just adore the game of 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. This article can help anyone do that.

TIP! Always dribble with your head up and looking forward. If you have to keep your eye on the ball when you’re dribbling, practice can remedy that.

Constantly practice layups. This is the most popular shot in basketball. Run full tilt to the basket, then smoothly jump and shoot. This technique helps improve your on-court layup skills.

TIP! Learn how a bounce pass is thrown. If done properly, the pass will land near waist level with the opposite player.

Free throws are as much mental as they are physical, like other parts of the game. Without a strong mindset, your body simply goes through the motions to take the shot. Relax your mind and keep your concentration centered on the basket to make more of these freebies.

TIP! Successful free throws require you to be mentally and physically strong. You can teach your body to make a free throw properly, but unless you are properly prepared mentally, you may not succeed.

If you are posting up, strategic footwork is important to becoming open and making a good shot. Securing a good location is critical when playing basketball. After positioning yourself on the court, make sure that you are secure. Good footwork is key to a good basketball game.

TIP! Practice your pass catching often. You want to practice catching perfect passes and bad passes.

One way to get a good understanding of your game is to ask your fellow players about your ability. Can you get better at something? Perhaps you have an excellent understanding of defensive strategies or you are the fastest player on your team. Improve the skills where you tend to be a bit weaker while maintaining your stronger skills.

TIP! 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.

When playing a game of basketball, have a friend tape the game. This way, you can take a look at your game. You should be able to see what you missed or can do better. Don’t be too critical, but do be honest. The reality of your play is often very different from your perception.

TIP! Always be aware of the locations of your feet and what they’re doing. Stepping even a toe on the baseline with the ball in your hands means you are out of bounds.

Try practicing how to pass while looking in another direction. This throws your opponents off. The look will cause your guard to turn away. You must practice this move with your teammates so that everyone on your team understands what is going on.

TIP! Practice passing while not looking in the direction of the pass. This will confuse your opponents.

Make layups count by taking off with the foot that is opposite to your shooting hand. What this practically means is that if your right hand is your shooting hand, you need to take off with your left foot. That will build your balance and help you stay in the right position.

Free Throws

TIP! Your forearms and hands should be strengthened if you wish to handle the ball better. For example, you can improve dribbling skills by adding wrist curls to your routine.

If you want improve your free throws, you have to develop a routine. If you are inconsistent then your shot will be off. You can shoot better free throws by making sure you use the same exact routine every time, and of course practice. If you do not practice this shot consistently, you may miss it during an actual game.

TIP! When you are on defense, make sure to keep yourself low. This allows you to jump or react quicker.

Your forearms and hands should be strengthened if you wish to handle the ball better. Try doing some wrist curls as they are particularly effective in honing your dribble skills. Making a goal isn’t just standing there as the ball miraculously comes to you and then shooting it at the basket. You need to be able to move the basketball to make things happen.

TIP! If possible, the action should remain below your knees. This will make your opponent struggle to steal the ball from you.

You should ensure that you can clearly see. This isn’t just so you can read the scoreboard and be able to make shots and catch passes. Your peripheral vision should be at its best. If you view the entire game without focusing on the ball, you’ll see defensive pressure advance, along with open teammates.

TIP! Use whatever hand you aren’t dribbling with as a shield between the ball and your opponent. Don’t push your opponent because that is a foul; however, you may use your free arm to create a barrier that keeps your opponent away from the ball.

Developing your muscle strength and flexibility will make you a better basketball player. You need both strength and endurance if you are going to excel. Young children that play can even benefit from strengthening arms and legs through proper exercise. When they become teenagers, they will be able to step up to weight work to become even stronger. Continue training throughout the adult years to maintain a constant performance.

TIP! Your workout routine can help you do well in the game. Running sprints can make you faster on individual plays, while long-distance running helps you make it through a game with good stamina.

As the point guard approaches within 10 feet of the middle of the court, your guards should take action and create a 2-3 trap. Then, they ought to trap the point guard. It also lets you have forwards on blocks sprint to the wing players. This will likely cause the point guard to make a high, short pass, which your forwards will steal quite easily.

TIP! Keep the lines of communication with other players open. In order to win games, you have to work together as a team.

No sport can compare to the excitement basketball fans experience. However, if you don’t understand the nuances of the game, it can get lost on someone who is just beginning to follow it. Use the skills and practice habits you read about here to take your game to the next level. You can be a real “baller.”