Basketball is fun, fast-paced and sometimes frustrating. However, if you wish to do your best at basketball, you have to learn a few different things first. This article will give you advice to assist you in becoming a better player.

Pay attention to what you are good at. Your best talent may not make you the star of every game, but learning to play your best angle will help you contribute more to the team. Figure out what you do well at and then you can practice that until you perfect it.

TIP! When dribbling, your head must be up, and you need to look forward. If you need to look at the ball while dribbling, you’ll need to practice more.

Perfect your layup technique. 80% of all shots in a game are usually layups. When practicing it is important to run at full speed toward the goal, then jump and shoot smoothly. This method will teach you to improve your jumps and shots throughout the game.

You may have better luck honing your passing skills if you forgo dribbling during practice. While this may be difficult, it gets you used to finding teammates and thinking on the run. Don’t be frustrated by how hard it is at first; you will get used to it.

Learn how to dribble and pass between your legs in case you are being guarded very tightly. Practice bouncing the basketball forcefully between your legs while stepping forwards and backwards. Perfecting this technique will help thwart the opposing team while you’re trying to advance the ball.

TIP! You should often work on your layups. Layups sometimes wind up being 4 out of every 5 shots in basketball.

Being a good defensive player involves disrupting your opponent’s concentration. Force them out of their comfort zone. Execute your moves with aggression. Do not allow them to pick and choose their plays. You should never let an opponent control what you do on the court. Instead, make the first move and interrupt their rhythm.

Be sure that you’re able to see clearly. You don’t just want to be able to pass and shoot well. Your peripheral vision needs to be as strong as possible. By seeing the court well, you can anticipate defensive moves as well as what all your teammates are doing. Good vision is vital to basketball success.

Take charge when the opportunity presents itself. When you do that, you can earn defensive stops, get the ball back, and set up foul shots against the other team. This may lower the other team’s morale, and it gives you a chance to take the offensive when play resumes.

TIP! Every great player understands how to properly perform a bounce pass. Bouncing the pass to the receiver should be at their waist.

Always attempt to remain low when you are playing defense. Staying low will help you to be a more swift opponent when you mirror the man standing in your path. You always want to have a strong defensive stance on the court. When you have to break out of stance to block a shot, get back into form as quickly as possible.

Practice dribbling by switching momentum. Basketball games are fast and you will encounter different scenarios while dribbling. The court might be wide open, but you could just as easily be swarmed by many opponents. You must dribble while you make your body lean in various directions. Good dribbling skills will make getting out of a bad situation a lot easier.

Keep the ball below knee level if possible. The other team’s players will have a difficult time stealing the basketball from you. It will take flexibility, balance and bending but just keep moving toward the goal.

TIP! A good way to get your basketball game up to speed is to start trying to see how the pros are playing. Watch professionals play or go check out talented local teams to see who has the moves that you want to learn.

Keep dribbling in the same rhythm, until finally you would like to throw the person guarding you off guard. You can surprise the opponent by changing up your dribbling. Changing the speed is part of what confuses your opponent, but the difference in sound can throw him off, as well.

Try to always know the location of the ball once it leaves someone’s hands. A crucial part of the game is being able to rebound the ball. No matter how good you play defense, if you can’t grab that rebound then your opponent will keep getting another chance to score.

This article has shown you why basketball is enjoyed globally. To play the game well, and build your self-confidence, takes hard work and commitment. If you want to give basketball your all, then follow the advice you have read here.