TIP! If you want to improve your game, play up your strengths. Your team will benefit more if you stop trying to be the star of the game and work your best.

One of the most beloved and well-known sports on the planet is basketball. Anyone who plays does so at their own skill level. The following article will share some useful advice to help you improve your game.

TIP! Always work on your layups. Layups sometimes wind up being 4 out of every 5 shots in basketball.

Make sure that you’re dribbling the ball correctly. Don’t use your palm to dribble, but use your fingertips instead. This will give you better control of the basketball. Be sure to dribble beside your body instead of in front of yourself. Bounce the ball at a level even with your waist. You should always look upwards instead of at the ground.

TIP! Practice catching passes often. Practice catching errant throws along with perfect passes.

Always keep your head up when dribbling instead of focusing on the ball. If you must look at the ball while dribbling, you haven’t practiced enough. Take you ball with you everywhere. Try dribbling even when walking to a store. 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! Passing quickly without dribbling is a great way to practice. This is very hard to accomplish, but it forces you and your fellow players to work on accurate passing skills.

Practice your layup shot often. Layup shots make up nearly 80% of a game’s shots. Run full tilt to the basket, then smoothly jump and shoot. This will assist you in perfecting your ability to jump and then shoot.

TIP! Hand signals can help stop you from turning the ball over. One of the most challenging aspects is trying to send the ball to your teammate as they are going for the basket.

Play games against yourself in and out of season. Sometimes during off season, or when practicing, you can’t play as a team or find even a single opponent. This is perfectly acceptable. There is still much you can accomplish playing alone. Work on your free throws or your pivot moves. There is no shortage of things you can do.

TIP! You should ask your teammates about your strengths and weaknesses. Are you great at any one thing? It could be your speed, or it could be your back-up abilities.

Quality footwork will help you get better shots. While physical positioning is important, it is even more essential to move quicker than an opponent. Having found a good spot, you must secure it. Good solid footwork will help you develop the skills you need for success.

TIP! One good way to always be ready for whatever happens on the court is to never turn your back on the ball. This will make you more aware of the court and you won’t be surprised when turnover potentials come up or quick passes.

When an injury occurs while you are playing ball, don’t keep playing with pain. It’s a challenging sport that’s very physical, and you have the ability to get injured. Trying to continue playing even if you’ve got discomfort can make the injury worse. If you have a very serious injury, talk to a doctor.

TIP! Build your core strength and work on your footwork. Your balance will improve if you strengthen your core.

Ask a friend to record your games so that you can see how yourself in action. This way, you have the opportunity to go through your play at a later time and see your mistakes. Evaluate what you see honestly, but don’t be too hard on yourself. Analyze your skills honestly so you can become the player you want to be.

TIP! Develop a routine to use every time you shoot a free throw. Always dribble the same way, or with the same movements.

Launch your layup jumps from the foot that is opposite the hand you shoot with. This means that if you shoot with your right hand, take off from your left foot. Your body will develop good coordination and you keep your defender at a distance.

TIP! Making a pass from between your legs is sometimes a good option when the opposing team is right on top of you. This can be practiced by dribbling the ball as hard as you can between the legs while you step in either direction.

You need to constantly disrupt your opponents in order to be a great defensive player. Don’t let your opponent get comfortable out there on the court. When making a move, be aggressive. Don’t let them choose what plays to make. If you allow this, they will run over you. Try making the initial move and interrupt their rhythm.

TIP! You need to take a charge anytime you can. A charge leads to a turnover by the opposing team and gives you the ball back.

Every player is focused on building their skill set so they can keep improving their abilities. Now that you’ve read this article, you know a thing or two about improving your skills. Review the article again when needed, but keep practicing to improve.