TIP! Practice shooting free throws. This seemingly simple shot can be difficult to execute under game conditions.

What should you know about playing basketball? What do you need to do to improve your skills and play better? Keep reading if you are interested in learning more about basketball, whether you are a player or a fan of this great sport.

Free Throw

TIP! It is important that you practice layups. Eighty percent of the shots taken in a game are layups.

Learn the mechanics of a free throw. The execution of a free throw is not as simple as it may appear. Try using this technique in practicing. Start by holding your ball before your face. Eye the basket and imagine the ball swishing down into it. Then shoot! Shoot the ball in the trajectory you imagined.

TIP! Bounce passes are extremely efficient when done properly. Proper bounce passes ought to hit the recipient at the level of their waist.

When you dribble, look forward, keeping your head up. If you have to ever look at the ball while dribbling, then you haven’t practiced that enough. One of the best ways to improve your dribbling is to bring your ball along anytime you need to walk somewhere. Dribble while walking to the store. If you have to watch the ball, you will be unable to see whatever is going on at court level.

TIP! When avoiding errant passes, use hand signals. You can become easily frustrated when a teammate does a poor job of anticipating your next passing move.

To improve your game, concentrate on your strong points. Even though your best abilities might not make you stand out each game, it is sure to help you contribute to the overall success of the team. Realize your limitations, and roll with your talents.

TIP! Whenever you work out, practice footwork and work on your core strength. By developing strong core muscles, you will be able to recover quickly and keep your balance.

If you want to take jump shots, don’t spend time pumping iron. Muscle is good, but you can have too much. Some professional shooting guards made their arms so big that it started decreasing their field goal percentage.

TIP! Videotape your games to see what you do right and wrong. You should be able to see what you missed or can do better.

Play solo basketball in the months leading up to the season, as well as during the season itself. It is possible to enjoy this team sport even in the absence of your team. That’s fine. You’ll still be able to get a lot done when playing solo. Work on free throws or practice pivot moves. There is always something to practice.

TIP! When you want consistently good free throws, repeat your routine. That could include a set number of dribbles, knee-bends or some other type of movement.

Never try to push through pain after an injury. Basketball is challenging physical sport and you can get injured. If you try to keep playing, you can hurt yourself worse. If the injury feels too bad then seek medical attention right away.

TIP! Work on passing through your legs to add another skill to your arsenal. Practice this by bouncing the ball hard between your legs as you take a step forward or back.

For more consistency in making those free throws, stick with the same sequence of motions before you take each shot. Focus on your shot and eliminate all outside distractions. When you have a steady and consistent routine, your muscles will remember what to do to shoot those free throw shots.

TIP! Mix things up offensively to keep the other team’s defense off-balance. When you are getting closer to the net, put your foot out and straighten up your body.

Practice passing while looking the opposite direction. This throws your opponents off. When done properly, this technique distracts the opposition and gives your pass recipient a chance to focus on the basket. It’s quite a play when done properly.

TIP! You can really up your performance on the court by doing strength training. You need both stamina and strength to be a good player.

Build a routine to improve your free throw game. If you’re consistent, your shots will be too. Repetition is an excellent way to improve your ability to make each free throw. Stick with a routine until you can perfect it. If you don’t stick to your routine, you could miss the shot.

TIP! To convert the typical 2-3 zone to a trapping machine, get the best pair of defenders available to wait just until the opposing point guard reaches roughly ten feet beyond the mid-court line. After he crosses the midcourt line, they should run and trap him.

Upset and disrupt your opponent’s play. All successful basketball players do this. Do not allow your opponent to become comfortable with their style, or yours. Be aggressive in the moves you execute. Don’t let them dictate the game. If they do, they’ll dominate you. Force them to act and their rhythm will get disrupted.

TIP! To become a better three-point shooter, make sure you attempt shots from where the NBA three-point line would be. The line in every other league is closer.

If you wish to get your weaker hand built up, you need to use it to brush your teeth and to do other simple tasks. If you gain more mastery of it in all walks of life, you improve overall control. That can make your game better.

TIP! Keep dribbling until you’re ready to either pass or shoot. The moment you cease dribbling, you have given yourself very few options.

You should always bend your knees while dribbling. Standing while dribbling will make it much easier for the opponent to steal the ball from you. Bending your knees will make a big difference in the way you can control the ball.

TIP! Try to practice a dribble while switching momentum from side to side. Dribbling during game play requires you to adopt a variety of dribbling skills.

Keep the ball below knee level if possible. This makes it more difficult for your opponents to steal the ball. You will have to bend a little to make this happen, but it will keep you moving down the court quickly, especially since you are thwarting everyone trying to get to you.

TIP! Use the hand you’re not dribbling with to create a barrier between the ball and the opponent. This is much safer than just shoving an opponent, which is a serious foul and bad sportsmanship to boot.

Has this article answered your questions? You can now take the court with confidence. Do you want to really improve your game based on the great information presented here? Keep going, keep practicing, and using these tips to better your results.