TIP! When you dribble, look forward, keeping your head up. You should never be looking at the basketball while dribbling.

Basketball represents a classic game loved by folks across the globe. Each player is crucial to the team and has special skills. If you would like to learn about a few ways to help improve your skills, continue ahead to the following article.

TIP! Teach yourself how a bounce pass can be properly thrown. If done properly, the pass will land near waist level with the opposite player.

Make sure you are dribbling the right way. Avoid using your palm while dribbling. Instead, use your fingertips. This way you’ll have a lot more control over the ball. 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. Don’t look at the ground, always keep your eyes focused forward.

TIP! Make better passes through the use of coordinated hand signals. Players can get easily frustrated if they make a pass to players that aren’t available to catch the ball.

Shooting has much to do with proper balance. Of course, pros may make baskets from a great distance while falling off the court, but this isn’t standard. They’re just improvising at this point. By learning how to stay properly balanced, you can improve your game.

TIP! Have your team mates critique your playing skills. Can they tell you what you’re really good at? Perhaps you have good dribbling skills or maybe your footwork is enviable.

If you want to improve your game, play up your strengths. Your strengths might not make you a star player, but you’ll be contributing a lot to your team. Know your strengths and keep practicing to get even better.

TIP! A smart tip to follow while playing basketball is to always keep your eye on the ball and not away from the play. Passes and turnovers won’t take you by surprise because you will be more aware of what is happening on the court.

Would you like to pull one over on your opponents? Trick them using a back pass. Hold the ball in your strong hand to start the pass. The next step is pull the basketball behind the back. Quickly flick with your wrist in the direction you want to pass the ball. This should help to trick the other team.

TIP! Keeping your fingers spread wide is important for holding onto the ball. This will help you keep a better grip on the ball.

When avoiding errant passes, use hand signals. One of the more frustrating aspects of basketball is making a pass to a teammate at the same time they head to the basket. Avoid this using hand signals to see if they can get the pass. Without a signal, there shouldn’t be a pass.

TIP! Watch your shoulders if you obtain a shooting slump. When your shoulders are not properly positioned, then it is almost impossible to perform at your best.

Talk to your teammates and find out what they like about your game. What are your your best skill areas? It may be that you are quick on your feet or that you are always there to back them up. See what others view as your own natural skills, then be sure you retain and develop them more.

TIP! Stay conscious of your foot motion and placement. This can help you avoid going out of bounds or making a bad pass.

Ask someone to take a video of you playing and watch it. Did you spot something that could be improved? Assess yourself honestly, but don’t be a harsh critic. Sometimes it’s beneficial to look at yourself the way you really look and not just like you think you look.

TIP! Have someone record the games you play so that you can watch it to check out your form. Do you see how you could’ve handled a situation differently? Do not waste time criticizing yourself.

To make your layups count the most, take off from the foot opposite your shooting hand. That means, if you shoot right-handed, use your left foot for taking off. This balances your body when moving towards your basket. It keeps your body in between you and the defender.

TIP! Use the foot opposite of the hand you shoot with for a better layup. So, if you shoot using your left hand, launch with your right foot.

Being a good defensive player involves disrupting your opponent’s concentration. Don’t let them get comfortable. Your defensive moves must be aggressive and executed properly. Keep them from deciding what moves to make. If you let them, they’ll totally take the control from you. Instead, you move first and throw them off their game.

Basketball Player

TIP! Always bend the knees while dribbling. If you are standing straight, you will have a harder time controlling the ball and your opponent will be able to steal it more easily.

Improving yourself and sharpening your skills goes a long way toward becoming a better basketball player. Now that you have read the article above, you ought to know what it takes to become a better basketball player. Read this article as many times as you need to in order to absorb its advice.