TIP! When dribbling, make sure you hold your head high and look straight ahead. Anyone who watching the ball while they dribble surely needs to spend more time in the gym practicing.

Basketball is among the most loved and followed sports in the world. The fans number in the millions. Understanding the nuances of the game helps you to appreciate it in its splendor. This article is meant to help readers do precisely that.

TIP! It is vital that you learn to crossover the basketball while dribbling. Crossover dribble is switching hands while you’re dribbling.

Practice your free throw shot. It seems easy to do but surely isn’t. Practice constantly using this tip. Begin by holding the ball directly in front of your face. Keep your eyes on the goal and visualize the ball going into the goal. Then, shoot the ball using the trajectory you pictured.

TIP! Footwork is what gets you ready for a shot. While actually being beneath the basket is key, establishing a good position prior to the opposition is even more so.

Concentrate on your strong points if you want to improve your game. Your best skills may not be center-stage every game, but knowing how to play the best angles can help you give more to your team. Ask others to help you identify your strengths and practice until you fully master these skills.

TIP! Understanding your opponent is a good way to shut him down on defense. Watch taped games, and keep current with scouting reports.

Practice your layup shot often. This will make up about eighty percent of shots during any basketball game. When you are practicing, run full speed at the goal and make the shot. This type of technique will translate well into actual game situations.

TIP! Quickness is something you have to have when playing basketball. To get an advantage over an opposing player, you must have the quickest reactions.

If you are posting up, strategic footwork is important to becoming open and making a good shot. You need to have physical presence beneath the net, but you also have to choose the right spot to be in. Once you have gotten into position, secure your spot. Strong footwork is key.

TIP! If you have someone who can tape your game, you can view the recording to see how well you performed on the court. While reviewing the tape, look for opportunities you may have missed during the game.

Ask a friend to record your games so that you can see how yourself in action. Can you see where you can improve your form? Are there things you might have done differently? Be honest in your assessment but not overly critical. You can learn a lot by watching how you play and what you need to concentrate practicing on.

TIP! Practice with your weak hand when it comes to dribbling. If you can dribble equally well with each hand, it is simpler to get past your opponents.

Use the foot opposite of the hand you shoot with for a better layup. This means that when you’re shooting from your right hand you have to use your left foot to take off. This keeps your body balanced and moving toward the basket and keeps your body between yourself and your defender.

TIP! Work on making your forearms and hands stronger in order to improve ball handling. Wrist curls are especially effective at making you better able to handle a basketball like you could dribble sleepwalking.

Make sure that you can see clearly. This is not just to make reading the scoreboard easier, but also to facilitate the making of shots and catching of passes. You have to build your peripheral vision. This will help you see the whole game better and anticipate openings and defense players.

TIP! Dribble hard if you don’t want the ball taken from you. When you dribble hard, the ball bounces back to your hand faster.

When the opportunity arises you always want to take a charge. Letting the other guy run into you stops the game without having to use a time out, and adds another four to the opponent’s total. This can hurt the other team’s players psychologically and can also be powerful when you’re creating plays.

TIP! You need to take charge when the opportunity presents itself. A charge can help you take the ball and perhaps set up a foul against the other team.

Building strength improves your basketball game. Stamina and strength are two things you need to do well in this sport. Young children that play can even benefit from strengthening arms and legs through proper exercise. If you have been exercising regularly for years, it might be time to introduce weights into the mix. Once they transition into adulthood, strength training must continue to be a core part of their exercise routine.

TIP! Change up your pace so that you are not predictable to the offense. When running towards the net, step on your front foot, and start to straighten up your body.

Basketball has an inherent energy that makes it one of the most exciting sports to watch. That said, knowing the game is key to really enjoying it. This article is going to help you better understand the game of basketball.