TIP! Frequently practice passing and catching the passes of others. Don’t just work on waist-level, perfect passes, though, work on receiving tougher passes as well.

Even the best professional doesn’t know everything about basketball. Things change all the time and you have to know that you have to learn more about the sport all the time. Want an edge on the competition? Continue reading so that you can learn new things that may give you an edge.

TIP! To learn how to pass well, drill without dribbling. It is difficult playing without dribbling; however, it helps the team make better passes.

Perfect your layup technique. Four out of every five shots taken in a given game will be layups. Practice running while dribbling, jumping and shooting as smoothly as you can. Drill the jumping technique regularly so you can do layups very smoothly and always stay in control of where the ball is going.

Bounce Pass

TIP! Quickness is something you have to have when playing basketball. Always stay ahead of the opposition.

You have to know how to bounce pass properly. A good bounce pass should hit the player on the receiving end at waist level. It’s smart to get the ball to bounce about 75% to the receiving player. This all depends on many factors.

TIP! Always be aware of where you have your feet and what you are going to do with them next. You will be called out of bounds if even one toe is touching the baseline as you hold the ball.

Work on catching passes frequently. Be sure to be able to catch off-target throws on top of good ones. This will help to improve your game when it gets intense. So do your teammates a favor by learning how to consistently haul in their less than perfect passes.

TIP! To become a better free throw shooter, use the same routine prior to every shot. This can be any combination of movements that makes you feel comfortable and prepare for the shot.

Would you like to pull one over on the other team? Try doing what is known as a back pass. Perform this pass by holding the ball using your dominant hand. Pull it behind you. Flick your wrists in the direction that it must travel. This is a good way to trick your opponents.

TIP! Passing between your legs can be helpful when the other team is riding you hard. Practice this maneuver by bouncing the basketball between your legs while taking steps.

Speed is one of the best virtues when playing basketball. Developing speed and vision is vital to playing the game well. In order to play fast, you must practice drills. But don’t try to go even faster than you actually are. If you push too hard, your performance may be haphazard, and the game may get out of control.

TIP! Practice passing while looking the opposite direction. You can really confuse your opponents this way.

Always be aware of where you have your feet and what you are going to do with them next. If you step on the baseline, you will be out of bounds. Taking a lot of steps when you’re not dribbling means you’re traveling and that’s a turnover call. A foul will result if you try to take a charge or set a pick and your feet are moving.

TIP! If you want improve your free throws, you have to develop a routine. If you stay inconsistent, you miss a shot.

When playing a game of basketball, have a friend tape the game. This way, you can take a look at your game. On tape, you can see all the opportunities you passed and how things could have gone better. Assess yourself honestly, but don’t be a harsh critic. You can learn a lot by watching how you play and what you need to concentrate practicing on.

TIP! Good footwork can really help you to get those rebounds. Your defender will move towards you, so figure out how to slither past him and grab the ball.

Try to strengthen your forearms and hands to better handle the ball. One important exercise is wrist curls, which help you with your dribbling. Don’t think you can just go somewhere on the court, catch a ball and then make a successful shot. Strength and flexibility in your hands will allow you to move the ball more gracefully and swiftly.

TIP! Always stay low when playing defensively. This allows you to jump faster and increases your reaction time should the person you’re covering do something.

When the opportunity arises you always want to take a charge. Taking a charge allows you a chance to earn a defensive stop, take the ball for your team, and sets up one more foul against the opponent. It can be a momentum changer by making the other team think twice about dribbling the ball into the lane.

TIP! Shoot hundreds of shots every day from every position on the court to improve your shooting skills. You should also practice starting with a dribble and then taking a shot.

Hopefully, you are more confident with your basketball skill after reading the above tips. Each tip can improve your game. Practice daily and continue learning. Keep these tips in mind as you begin to enhance and sharpen your basketball skills.