TIP! Make sure you are looking forward and looking up as you’re dribbling. If you have to keep your eye on the ball when you’re dribbling, practice can remedy that.

Not even pros know everything about basketball. Things are always changing, and you must learn the sport as well as learn with the times. Want to better your opponents? Continue reading so that you can learn new things that may give you an edge.

TIP! Concentrate on your strong points if you want to improve your game. Your talents might not make you a star, but when you make the most of your strengths, you might better contribute to your team.

Focus on your strengths to get better at basketball. You might not become a big basketball star based on your strengths, but you will be an asset to your team. Understand where you excel, and work on those talents until they are perfected.

TIP! Any good basketball player needs to know how to make a layup. Layups sometimes wind up being 4 out of every 5 shots in basketball.

Hitting free throws is a mental challenge as well as a physical one. You can train your body to complete the motions of making a free throw, but if you are mentally prepared to fail, you will. Relax, take your time and be focused.

TIP! Get educated on the way to properly pass the ball on a bounce. Good bounce passes need to hit the other player waist length when they receive it.

Don’t just practice your game against the zone defense. Most of the game is played in zone, but your opponent may try to switch things up to do man-to-man coverage. If you haven’t trained yourself to counter this, you could lose any control you have over the game.

TIP! Before, during and after the season, play out games by yourself. Though basketball is surely a team sport, there may be times when you have nobody to play against.

Play by yourself to practice. Though basketball is surely a team sport, there may be times when you have nobody to play against. That’s fine. There are many ways that you can improve your game alone. Maybe work on those free throws or practice your pivoting. There is always something to practice.

TIP! Ask your fellow teammates if they have an opinion of your skills in the game. Are you really good at any one thing? Perhaps you have an excellent understanding of defensive strategies or you are the fastest player on your team.

One way to get a good understanding of your game is to ask your fellow players about your ability. They will probably notice the things you do best. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses will allow you to develop your skills to become an all around better player. When you find out what they think, you may learn a lot.

TIP! To properly handle the ball, you have to spread your fingers out. This will keep the ball from getting away while you hold it.

When your shooting isn’t accurate, check out your shoulder position. Shoulders are the key to a consistently successful shot. One area of focus should be to keep your shoulders aligned straight toward the hoop. Try to line your dominant shoulder up with the rim.

TIP! Understand your opponent. Review tapes and keep up with scouting reports.

Create and stick to a routine each time you prepare to shoot a free throw. Always dribble the same way, or with the same movements. Don’t dilly dally, but do complete your ritual.

TIP! Have someone taper your games and then watch it to see how you look on the court. Are you able to look at your skills in a different light? Be honest in your assessment but not overly critical.

A consistent pre-shot routine when at the line will increase your chance at success. If you aren’t consistent, you won’t make the basket. You have to practice time and time again. Just keep repeating free throws, if you want to perfect that technique. If the routine is off in any way, then you’ll miss the shot.

TIP! Do your free throw shooting the same way every time. That could include a set number of dribbles, knee-bends or some other type of movement.

If you wish to succeed in a defensive role, you must be able to break your opponents’ concentration. Force them out of their comfort zone. Be aggressive in the moves you execute. Don’t let them dictate the game. If you allow this, they will run over you. Instead, take the initiative and disrupt their rhythm.

TIP! You must disrupt your opponent’s game when you’re playing defense. You should work to make your opponent feel uncomfortable.

You should now feel a new level of confidence about playing basketball. They were created to help you enjoy the game to its fullest. You should never stop learning new techniques and perfecting old ones. To become a better player, you must use the information you come across, so do so.