TIP! Practice your layup shot often. Layups sometimes wind up being 4 out of every 5 shots in basketball.

It’s no secret why basketball is so popular: the pace is fast, causing excitement. But, if you want to play your best on the court, you need to be aware of certain things. The following tips will help you take your game up a notch.

TIP! Bounce passes are extremely efficient when done properly. Bounce passes should not go above or below the receiving players waist.

Watch your form while you dribble the ball. Instead of using your palm to dribble focus on using your fingertips. Dribbling this way improves your ball control dramatically. You should be dribbling the ball at your side instead of in front of your body. The ball should always be dribbled at waist level. Do not look at the ground; look up at all times.

TIP! Watch professionals play to learn from their techniques. Go to as many pro games as possible, watch them on TV, or watch videos of them playing.

Make sure you learn how to shoot free throws. This seems like an easy shot, but it is quite hard. Use this technique to better your game. Hold the ball level with your face. Visualize the ball sailing into the hoop. Then repeat that when you take the shot.

TIP! Shake things up rather than focusing solely on a zone defense. A lot of the game is sure to be played in the zone, but your opponent could change to man-to-man coverage.

When dribbling, your head must be up, and you need to look forward. If you have to look at the ball while dribbling, that means you need to practice more. Bring the ball no matter where you go. On your way to the grocery store, practice your dribbling. If you’re looking at the basketball, you won’t be able to see what is coming at you.

TIP! You can learn how to better pass the ball if you run drills without the dribble. Playing the game without the use of dribbling is a challenge, but it can help you and your team learn to make more precise passes.

If you want to improve your basketball game, you must identify and intensify your strengths. You can contribute to the team by consolidating your best skills, even if these skills do not make you one of the star players. Know what you are good at, then practice it until you’re absolutely perfect at it!

TIP! If there’s no one around to play with, it is okay to play a basketball game by yourself. Basketball is a multiple player sport, but other people won’t always be around.

Don’t pump too much iron if you plan on being a jump shooter. Muscle flexibility is more important than muscle mass. Some professionals develop their muscles so much that they are actually having a hard time with shooting.

TIP! Basketball players of all ages benefit from exercises that strengthen their core. Show them how to exercise their hips, lower back and abs.

Want to trick the other team? Try a back pass. Perform this pass by holding the ball using your dominant hand. Move the ball so that it is behind you. Finally your wrist should be flicked towards where you want the ball to go. This should should thoroughly fool your opponent.

TIP! Hand signals can help stop you from turning the ball over. It’s frustrating to pass to your teammate at the very moment they’re heading toward the basket.

Make sure your fingers are apart from one another when dribbling. That makes sure that you don’t lose the ball when you hold it. Do not allow the palm of your hand to make contact with the ball. Only your fingers should touch it during a pass or when dribbling.

TIP! If you are posting up, strategic footwork is important to becoming open and making a good shot. While actually being beneath the basket is key, establishing a good position prior to the opposition is even more so.

Have your games taped so you can play them back later and observe your court presence. Do you see how you could’ve handled a situation differently? Look at how you did and judge yourself. It can help you to see how you really are instead of what you imagine you are.

TIP! In order to be more reliable shooting free throws, practice your routine. For example, many people touch their foreheads or tap their chest before making a free throw shot.

Do your free throw shooting the same way every time. You could dribble twice, touch your forehead, bend your knees, or some other kinds of movements. Just make your routine quick, so that it can be consistent, and your body is going to remember just how to nail free throws following your ritual.

TIP! Take a charge if you can. The charge lets you build a defensive stop and get control of the ball.

Drills should be done where you attempt to get your basketball up the court within five dribbles or even less than that. This may seem like an impossible challenge, but it will increase your stride length and your speed. This helps give your team the advantage, and allows you to drive the center.

TIP! Varying your pace and direction keeps the offense off guard. When you’re going towards the net you should plant the foot in front and start straightening up.

One good way to play good defense is to stay in the defensive stance at all times. You will always be in a defensive position if you slide your feet one way and then the other and push off using your opposing foot. Always keep your feet from crossing, and you will make it hard for any opponent to get past.

Strength Training

TIP! If you wish to do better a shooting three pointers, you should do it from where NBA players shoot from. High school lines, international standard lines, and college lines are much closer.

You can really up your performance on the court by doing strength training. You need both stamina and strength to be a good player. Even little kids who play basketball will develop more overall body strength. When they become teenagers, they will be able to step up to weight work to become even stronger. When you get to be an adult is when you want to concentrate on strength training to help improve durability on the court.

TIP! Make sure you don’t pick up your dribble unless you are prepared for a shot or pass. The moment you cease dribbling, you have given yourself very few options.

Increase your weak hand’s capabilities by using it for everything you normally would not. If your ability to use that hand starts to improve, the benefits to your basketball playing talents will be substantial. This will have a positive impact on your basketball game, too.

TIP! If you are a basketball player you should be eating a healthy diet. In order to be skilled at basketball you need to load up on carbs to give yourself plenty of energy.

Keep dribbling until it is time to shoot or pass the ball. When you stop, your options are limited. You can’t do anything but pivot if you don’t shoot or pass. Putting yourself in this position makes you more vulnerable to having the ball stolen by the opposing team.

TIP! A corner shot often bounces to the opposite end of the court. Anticipate where the ball lands and grab the rebound.

Try to practice a dribble while switching momentum from side to side. During the game, you will dribble in various situations. You might have a truly open court, but you might also be dealing with an onslaught of opposition. Going through the court will be easier if you can quickly adjust your direction without interrupting your dribbling. This allows you to get yourself out of a tough spot.

TIP! Where you are before and following a rebound is going to mean the difference between possessing the ball or giving it to the other team. Jump using both feet for increased power and stability and grab the ball using both hands.

This article has shown you just how fun basketball can be. This article has also proven that you need knowledge on this sport if you want to play like a pro. If you want to give basketball your all, then follow the advice you have read here.