TIP! Keep practicing your layups. Almost 80% of shots will be layups.

People of all ages have loved basketball for years. However, just because people love the sport doesn’t mean they play well. This article was put together to help anyone who wants to play basketball to appreciate it so they can do better at it.

TIP! Teach yourself to throw bounce passes correctly. If done properly, the pass will land near waist level with the opposite player.

Learn to crossover if you get the ball often. Crossovers involve sending the basketball from one of your hands over to the other one. You must do it fast for best success. One done the right way, the crossover dribble can help you change directions and get down the court more efficiently.

TIP! Practice using different types of defenses. Always try to anticipate when your opponent is going to switch up their game to catch you off guard.

Practice your layup shot often. Four out of every five shots taken in a given game will be layups. Run full tilt to the basket, then smoothly jump and shoot. If you can do this right, you can master this shot.

TIP! Lay off the weights if you are trying to become a jump shooter. Although it’s true that strong muscles are beneficial, additional bulk can impede your ability to play effectively along the perimeter.

Connecting on your free throws is as much mental as it is physical. You are able to train your hands and legs to free throw well, but if you think you will fail, you will. Relax and focus on the net, and you’ll be able to make more.

TIP! Are you interested in being able to fool the other team? How about the behind the back pass? To properly perform this pass you will need to have the ball in your dominant hand. Then you will want to pull the ball into position behind your back.

One great way to pass good is to drill when you can without dribbling. It is hard to play a game when you don’t dribble, but it will help you to be sure that everyone is passing accurately. Try not to lose yourself in frustration if you do not master it immediately, with the more time that passes with you and your team practicing, the more accurate they will become.

TIP! Use hand signals to avoid errant passes. One of basketball’s most frustrating elements is the concept of sending a quick pass onto a teammate who has just moved in a different direction.

When developing your jumping skills, limit your use of weight-training. Being weighed down by too much bulky muscle can have a negative impact on your jump shot. Some professional shooting guards made their arms so big that it started decreasing their field goal percentage.

TIP! Footwork is the best way to find an opening shot. You must beat the opposing playing to an open spot.

Would you like to pull one over on your opponents? Consider the back pass. You want to grip the basketball with your strongest hand. Next get the ball pulled up behind the back. Finally, flick your wrist towards the direction in which you wish that ball to travel. This is a very useful trick to confuse the opposing team.

Playing Basketball

TIP! Pay attention closely to the shoulders if you’re starting to slump when you shoot. Whenever your shoulders aren’t in a good position, you simply will not shoot well, regardless of your skill level.

If you’re injured when playing basketball, don’t push through the pain. It’s easy to be hurt when playing basketball. Trying to tough it out and keep playing, even if you are experiencing discomfort, can exacerbate an injury even more. See a physician if you think your injury is serious.

TIP! You need to be quick to play good basketball. If you want the advantage, you’ve got more quickly.

Ask your fellow team members which of your skills that they admire. They will probably notice the things you do best. You may be quick with your footwork or are always there for backing them up. Find out how your game appears to others and develop your skills accordingly.

TIP! For more consistency in making those free throws, stick with the same sequence of motions before you take each shot. You could dribble twice, touch your forehead, bend your knees, or some other kinds of movements.

Play a good defense by knowing your opponent. Study video tape on your opponent and read over any scouting reports. Also know which is their dominant and weak hands. Once you start to get to know the other team, you can do a lot better when you’re on defense. A smart defender is someone who is good at his position.

TIP! Try practicing looking in the opposite direction when you pass. This may confuse your opponents, greatly.

When exercising, concentrate on building up core strength and improving your footwork. Your body will naturally balance well if you have strong core muscles. You should get a good workout in your hips, buttocks, back and abs. You will improve your speed and footwork if you jump rope like boxers do.

TIP! Do drills where you try and get the basketball up a full-court in five dribbles or less. It isn’t impossible, it just takes practice.

Practice passing while looking in other directions. This is a simple thing that could easily confuse your opponents. When you do this right, looking this way will make the opponents go to the wrong place so that when you pass the other person has a better chance at making a shot. It can be quite powerful.

TIP! When you’re working with defense, staying low is a good idea. This stance will keep you ready for whatever comes your way.

Always stay low when playing defensively. Staying low gives you a better chance to play the ball and helps you move more quickly. Maintain proper defensive position at all times. If you break form in an attempt to shot block, return to the proper form as soon as you can.

TIP! Use your weak hand for brushing your hair, doing up your belt and opening bottles so you can build up its strength. By improving your weaker hand’s dexterity, your control over the hand will significantly improve.

Basketball appeals to all types of different people. The secret to both enjoying a good game and playing a good game is personal knowledge. Refer to the information presented here to enhance your game in an ongoing manner.