TIP! Look forward when dribbling. If you must look at the ball while dribbling, you haven’t practiced enough.

Basketball is a game invented by Dr. Since that time it has gained steadily in popularity around the world. Basketball over the past century has exploded in popularity. Whether it is Dr. J. It then went from him to Magic Johnson to make the best players into celebrities. Check out more of this article to understand more about their success.

TIP! Having a good foundation is key when shooting the ball. While the all-time greats have shown time and time again how they can shoot while off-kilter, this is not the ideal way to score.

Make sure to practice your layups whenever possible. During any game, layups make up about 75 percent of the game. Run full tilt to the basket, then smoothly jump and shoot. If you can do this right, you can master this shot.

TIP! Put the emphasis on your strengths can help you to be a better basketball player. Your talent might not make you a star; however, learning your strengths will help you become a better team player.

Practice your bounce pass. Proper bounce passes ought to hit the recipient at the level of their waist. The ideal bounce pass should land about 3/4 of the way between you and the receiver. But, a series of other considerations can require you to make adjustments.

Basketball Game

TIP! Try playing basketball games alone before and during the season. It is possible to enjoy this team sport even in the absence of your team.

A good way to get your basketball game up to speed is to start trying to see how the pros are playing. You can follow the pros in online videos, on TV and you can also attend a basketball game if there is a pro team in your area. You’ll notice that each player has a skill that they are great at. Choose a move that you like and start practicing it.

TIP! You should ask your teammates about your strengths and weaknesses. Can you get better at something? They may say that you are a great team defender or are always playing with excellent speed.

Frequent pass catching practice is important. During practice you should come up with drills where you perfect catching bad passes along with the good ones. This will help you catch those bad passes during a game. Learn how to catch any sort of throw.

TIP! Always be aware of the locations of your feet and what they’re doing. If you slide onto the baseline, you will lose the ball for being out of bounds.

Hand signals will help you avoid those errant passes. It can be frustrating passing to a teammate when you’re both heading to the basket. These common miscommunications can be avoided by utilizing hand signals, which tells the passing player the other player is ready for a pass. If no signal is displayed, a pass ought not be made.

TIP! You need to practice dribbling with your weak hand in order to be a more effective player. If you have two hands that can dribble the ball effortlessly then it becomes easier to get by your opponent.

Spreading out your fingers is key to handling the ball correctly. This will help prevent the ball from getting away from you while dribbling. Keep your palm off the ball, too. Fingers need to be the only thing that touches the ball when you shoot it or pass it.

TIP! Be certain you are able to see well. While it will allow you to catch passes and read the score, there is more to it than that.

Understand your opponent. Make sure that you’ve watched tapes that show the other player. You can also check out scouting reports. Keep track of which players are right hand dominant and which are left hand dominant. When you know some of the other player’s moves, you’ll have a leg up during a game as you’ll be able to predict what he is going to do. A person that knows about defending makes a strong defender.

TIP! Alter your pace to confuse the opposition. You can try faking a jump shot by planting quickly, and straightening your body.

If you experience a slump in your scoring and shooting, your shoulders may be the cause of the problem. When your shoulders are not properly positioned, then it is almost impossible to perform at your best. Your shoulders should always be squared towards the hoop. The shoulder that is dominant should be perfectly aligned with the hoop rim.

TIP! A powerful play called the trapping machine, is to have your guards wait for the point guard to come just past midcourt. Then they should run to the point guard and trap him.

Speed is a key attribute in the game of basketball. You need to be faster than the opposing team if you want the advantage. If you want to play the game fast, you need to drill continuously. Avoid playing faster than your abilities allow. If you push too hard, your performance may be haphazard, and the game may get out of control.

Free Throws

TIP! Be sure to practice good teamwork on the court and off. A good basketball team usually comes from having a team that is gelling and in sync with one another.

Having a pre-free-throw shot routine will help you become dependable at free throws. It could be that you dribble several times, bend at the knees, brush your hair out of your eyes or do something else. Just make your routine quick, so that it can be consistent, and your body is going to remember just how to nail free throws following your ritual.

TIP! Do not double dribble. That happens when you stop one time, and start again in a few seconds.

Learn how to dribble and pass between your legs in case you are being guarded very tightly. To practice, simply bounce the basketball between your legs while stepping either forward or backwards. When you get this move down, you will have an advantage.

TIP! After catching a ball that has rebounded, land on your feet, spreading legs wider than your shoulders in order to get greater balance. Keep your hands along any side and hold it up to your chest tightly.

A hoop that’s ten feet high, a really long court, and ten people playing is what it takes to play a game of basketball. A thorough understanding of the game is necessary if you are going to become a great player. This article should have started you off in the right place, so you have to keep at it until you’re a master of it.