TIP! Be sure to dribble correctly every time. Don’t use your palm to dribble, but use your fingertips instead.

One of the most popular games on earth is basketball. You can see kids and adults playing at playgrounds, the gym or in their very own driveway. Anyone who plays basketball wants to improve their game. The tips below can better your game dramatically and help you score many winning points.

TIP! Learn the mechanics of a free throw. That’s a shot that appears simple but is actually difficult in reality.

Work on pass catches. Don’t just work on waist-level, perfect passes, though, work on receiving tougher passes as well. When a game is underway, not every throw will be perfect. Therefore, learn how to catch any type of pass so that you can help lead your team to victory.

TIP! Crossovers are key for ball handlers. This technique passes the ball back and forth from the right hand to the left hand.

Unseen passes can be avoided when proper hand signals are used by teammates. One of the more frustrating aspects of basketball is making a pass to a teammate at the same time they head to the basket. You can avoid this by using hand signals if a player is able to take a pass. If the person doesn’t make a signal the person shouldn’t get passed to.

TIP! Balance is vital to good shooting. We have all seen the professional basketball player falling out of bounds and making a basket from 30 feet away, but this is not proper technique.

If you become injured when playing basketball, stop immediately. Basketball is challenging physical sport and you can get injured. You can quickly turn a strain into a debilitating medical issue if you do not take a break from the action. Don’t hesitate to see the doctor if you feel the injury warrants it.

TIP! Make sure that you practice your layups frequently. Four out of every five shots taken in a given game will be layups.

One way to get a good understanding of your game is to ask your fellow players about your ability. What areas are your strong points? They may say that you are a great team defender or are always playing with excellent speed. Improve the skills where you tend to be a bit weaker while maintaining your stronger skills.

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.

It is important to be aware of the location of your feet and just what they are up to. If you fall on a baseline, you will be out of bounds. If you travel without dribbling, you’re going to get yourself into a turnover situation. Also, moving a foot when setting up a screen can result in a foul.

TIP! Find out what your teammates like most about how you play? Are you really good at any one thing? It could be your speed, or it could be your back-up abilities. See what others view as your own natural skills, then be sure you retain and develop them more.

If the opposition is hot on your tail, pass between your legs. Try practicing this by bouncing your ball hard in between your legs while stepping forward or backward. This is a tricky move, but it will provide you a good advantage when you play.

TIP! Avoid turning away from the ball so that you can always be prepared for what occurs on the court. Always knowing where the ball is will make sure that you are ready if it quickly comes your way.

When you are passing the ball, get used to looking in the other direction. This will make your actions very confusing to the other team. If you can pull it off, it’s effective to draw your opponents away from the shooter. That way the shooter gets a great look before shooting. When completed correctly, it creates an awesome play.

TIP! Your fingers should always be spread out when handling the ball. This can help you avoid losing it when you hold it.

To get a rebound of a free throw that one of your teammates is taking, you need to be sly with your feet. Try to anticipate the move of the defender between yourself and the basket so that you can maneuver around him and to the hoop. This allows you to grab the rebound legally.

TIP! Quickness is a key skill in basketball. If you want the advantage, you need to be quicker than your opponents.

Maintain a lower position as you play defense. This will let you get to the jump quicker and let you react to your opponent easier. Remain in a correct defensive pose always. If you must break your stance to block someone’s shot, return to formation as quickly as you can.

TIP! Always know where your feet are and what they are doing. If you have the ball and you step outside the baseline, then you’re out of bounds.

If you want to build the dexterity of your weaker hand, start using it for everyday tasks like shining your shoes or opening doors. Being more dexterous means you will have better control. This will begin to spill over into your basketball game as well.

TIP! Upset and disrupt your opponent’s play. All successful basketball players do this.

There are lots of ways to become a better basketball player. Some are simple and just take practice. The more you practice, the more you’ll improve your skills. Whether it is team practice or practice with your friends, it all works to improve your prowess on the court.