TIP! Make sure to dribble properly. When you dribble, use the fingertips, not the palm.

The fundamentals of basketball are fairly easy to learn. The basics can be picked up in just a few minutes. However, you can always learn new things if basketball is something you wish to be good at, and this article is here to help you.

TIP! Make sure that you practice your layups frequently. Layups account for up to 80 percent of the shots taken during a game.

Dribbling the ball the right way needs to be done. Don’t use your palm to dribble. Instead, use your fingertips. Doing so will allow you a greater degree of ball control. Bounce the ball no higher than your waist and keep the ball at your side rather than in front. Keep your eyes up, not on the ground.

TIP! Successful free throws require you to be mentally and physically strong. Making the right physical motions is easier than having the right mind set.

Balance is vital to good shooting. You’ve seen the pros fall out of bounds when trying to shoot 30 feet from the basket; this is a bad move. They are going with the flow when this occurs. You need to maintain good balance while shooting, which is sure to produce greater consistency.

TIP! Do not practice by playing against the zone defense. Your opponent may change their game up to keep you on your toes.

Work on pass catches. When you practice, drill yourself to pay attention to errant throws and passes that are picture perfect. This will help to improve your game when it gets intense. Being able to get imperfect passes will limit turnovers.

TIP! When it is not basketball season, keep in practice by shooting baskets and practicing your skills. Sometimes you cannot find a team of people to play basketball with.

You want to be prepared for any type of defense the other team plays. The majority of the game is in that area, but be careful about a team who changes things up. If your practice did not include this, you can quickly lose control of the game.

TIP! Try using hand signals to prevent passes in error. Passing is tough, especially if you and your teammate are not in sync with one another.

Keep your weight lifting to a minimum as a jump shooter. Muscle flexibility is more important than muscle mass. Some professional shooting guards made their arms so big that it started decreasing their field goal percentage.

TIP! Spreading out your fingers is key to handling the ball correctly. This will keep the ball from getting away while you hold it.

Interested in tricking your opponents? How about the behind the back pass? Hold the ball in your strong hand to start the pass. Then, bring the ball back behind you. Lastly, flick your wrist in the direction that you want the ball to land. This will confuse the opposition.

TIP! When trying to improve your strength to have better basketball footwork, work on building up your core. If the core muscles are in good shape, you will feel lighter on your feet.

Ask your teammates what they like about how you play. Find out what they perceive as your best skill. They may say that you are a great team defender or are always playing with excellent speed. Develop your strengths even further and look for ways to improve your weaknesses.

TIP! In order to be successful with layups, the foot that is opposite from shooting hand is the one you should take off from. Use your left foot when shooting with the right hand.

Don’t let the ball go behind your back. This will give you court awareness and keep you from being surprised by quick passes or turnover potentials. Also, keep your eyes on areas that open up on the court for an easy basket.

TIP! Consistent free throws require a consistent technique. If you don’t have one, your accuracy may suffer.

In order to handle the ball correctly, spread your fingers out. This gives you better control of the ball. Do not allow the palm of your hand to make contact with the ball. You should only let the fingers touch the ball during passing or shooting.

TIP! You should ensure that you can clearly see. While it will allow you to catch passes and read the score, there is more to it than that.

Quickness is something you have to have when playing basketball. Try to outplay your opponents by being fast to win the game. It takes steady drilling to play fast. Make sure you never play past the speed you are comfortable. Playing beyond your speed cause the game to get out of control with various turnovers and errant passes.

TIP! Never break your defensive stance when playing ball. Use your opposite foot to push with or slide your feet around.

Always have an awareness of the location and movement of your feet. When you are in possession of the ball, touching the baseline will get you out of bounds. You could also be the reason for a turnover if you get called for walking when you take more steps than allowed without dribbling. A foul will be called if your feet move while you attempt to screen other players.

Free Throws

TIP! Don’t cease dribbling until you get ready to shoot or pass. The moment you cease dribbling, you have given yourself very few options.

In order to be more reliable shooting free throws, practice your routine. This can be any combination of movements that makes you feel comfortable and prepare for the shot. However, they need to be the same combination of movements each time. This routine will help you make your free throws, but make the routine a quick one.

TIP! Keep the activity below the knees if possible. Doing this makes it more difficult for members of the opposing team to steal the ball from you.

A routine can enable your free throw percentage to rise. A routine that is constantly in flux will only open up more opportunities for failure. The most effective method to achieve a great free throw is by practicing it repeatedly until you get it right. If your routine is off, then you will miss the shot.

TIP! Make sure your team really meshes together off and on the court. Basketball is a sport that goes so much further when a team truly connects.

Practicing with your weak hand will help to make you a better dribbler. Being ambidextrous on the court makes it more difficult for defenders to figure out what you will do next. Tie your strong hand to the rear of your back to ensure you only use your weaker hand. You will get new dribbling skills with your weak hand.

TIP! Double dribbling is considered a foul. A double dribble occurs when you’re done dribbling one time and then begin to do it again a little while afterwards.

You need to work on your forearms and your hands to handle the ball more efficiently. One important exercise is wrist curls, which help you with your dribbling. You can’t just stand and shoot for the whole game. Your ability to handle the ball will affect your success on the court.

TIP! The position you adopt before, during, and immediately following a rebound has an effect on your ability to keep possession of the ball. Jump using both of your feet to gain greater balance and control and grab the ball with two hands.

To avoid having the ball stolen, dribble hard. The ball will get back to the hand faster, giving the other team less of an opportunity to grab it away. If someone is guarding you closely, stop dribbling and pass to someone else who is open on your team.

TIP! When you shoot, try to stay calm. It’s important that the basket is your main focus.

Maybe you just began learning about playing basketball before you read this. Perhaps you played a match or two as a child. No matter the case, the information below can help you play better. When you head out to play the next time, follow the suggestions you’ve learned here.