Years ago, basketball was invented by Dr. In 1891, Dr. James Naismith invented basketball. Since its invention, it has became a very popular sport. There have been many people who have made basketball a world wide phenomenon. From Kareem Abdul Jabaar to Michael Jordan and Ervin “Magic” Johnson, it has truly become a game of celebrities. Keep reading if you’re looking to learn a few things about the sport.

Be sure to dribble correctly every time. Don’t use your palm, use your fingers. Using your fingertips will allow you to have better control when dribbling the ball. Dribble off to the side waist high. Do not look at the ground; look up at all times.

TIP! A good tip is to practice your layups on a daily basis. During any game, layups make up about 75 percent of the game.

If you typically handle the ball a lot, it pays to learn the crossover. Switch from one side to the other while dribbling. Crossovers must be done quickly to keep defenders at bay. When executed properly, a crossover dribble lets you alternate directions suddenly so that you can move down the entire court quickly.

Positioning Yourself

In order to get a good shot, good footwork is essential when posting up. Focus on positioning yourself more quickly than the opposing player is just as important as having someone beneath the hoop. After positioning yourself on the court, make sure that you are secure. Good footwork is key to a good basketball game.

TIP! Remember to practice a lot of different possibilities so that you will not limit your game. The majority of the game is in that area, but be careful about a team who changes things up.

Don’t let the ball go behind your back. You have to be aware of what is going on with the ball at all times. Keep your eyes open for areas that are open.

If you slump when you shoot, look at what your shoulders are doing. If your shoulders aren’t properly positioned, your shot is not going to go in. Keep your shoulders square to the hoop. Your dominant shoulder must be lined up with the rim.

It’s important to know where you have your feet and also what they’re doing. If you slide onto the baseline, you will lose the ball for being 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. In addition, moving one foot while working on setting a screen or pick will produce a foul.

TIP! One way to get a good understanding of your game is to ask your fellow players about your ability. Find out what they perceive as your best skill.

If you’re playing regulation basketball, you need a hoop that is ten feet high, a large court and ten players. If you have the urge to boost your skills, knowledge is important. What you learned here is just the beginning, and now you need to study more and practice well to hopefully one day become a great.