Not even pros know everything about basketball. Strategies change and new ideas crop up. Would you like to have a competitive edge? Continue reading for the best basketball tips.

Figure out how to perfect your free throw. That’s a shot that appears simple but is actually difficult in reality. Practice frequently using these techniques. Place the ball right in line with your face. Keep looking at the goal while visualizing the basketball going through the hoop. Shoot the ball how you imagine it going in.

TIP! Be sure to dribble correctly every time. When you dribble, only use your fingertips instead of your palms.

You must have good balance to shoot well. Having good balance will allow you to keep better control of the ball as well as play a better defense. They’re just improvising at this point. By learning how to stay properly balanced, you can improve your game.

Hand signals can help stop you from turning the ball over. It can be frustrating passing to a teammate when you’re both heading to the basket. All of this confusion can be remedied through the use of hand signals when a player is opened. If you don’t see a signal, try to find someone else to pass to.

Good footwork is important when you’re posting up in the paint. You do, of course, need to be near the basket, but finding the right spot without getting blocked is essential. You need to be sure your spot is secure. Practicing your footwork is important to master these skills.

TIP! Practice your bounce pass. A good bounce pass should hit the player on the receiving end at waist level.

Seek advice from your teammates about how you play the game. Is there something that you excel at? They may say you’re fast or that you share well. Find out what your strong points are in the eyes of others. This way you can develop your most valuable skills.

Keep your eye on the ball. You must always be prepared to receive a pass and you need to know where players are on the court. Make sure you also have the court in your line of vision as well, so you know when and where you can drive in for the score.

You can improve your control of the ball by spreading your fingers. That makes it less likely that you lose control of the ball. Try to keep your palm off of the ball as well. Fingers need to be the only thing that touches the ball when you shoot it or pass it.

TIP! Free throws require both mental and physical abilities. Training your body is important, but you also have to be mentally ready for the shot.

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. Your shoulders need to be squared up towards where you’re shooting. You should also make sure that your dominant shoulder is lined up with the rim.

Always have an awareness of the location and movement of your feet. You will be called out of bounds if even one toe is touching the baseline as you hold the ball. If you travel without dribbling, you’re going to get yourself into a turnover situation. In addition, moving one foot while working on setting a screen or pick will produce a foul.

With any luck, you are now ready to attack the court with a new sense of confidence. These tips are designed to show you how to be the best player that you can be. Don’t ever stop learning and practicing. Use the information from above to take your skills to a new level.