What is there to know about the game of basketball? What should I study to become better and to understand the game more completely? In this article we will provide you with some basic information to act as a solid foundation for your basketball performance.

It is important to keep your balance when you shoot. Your knees should be bent with your feet slightly wider than your shoulders. These are not practiced skills, they are just flukes. By learning how to stay properly balanced, you can improve your game.

TIP! Dribble properly. When you dribble, use the fingertips, not the palm.

Practice your layups a lot. 80% of all shots in a game are usually layups. When you practice, be sure to run at the goal with full speed, jumping and shooting in a smooth series of motions. Jump to the net and concentrate on shooting the ball in a specific location on the backboard.

It is important to practice catching the ball from others as much as passing. When you practice, be sure to do drills that improve catching wild throws and making great passes. Some passes may be too high, too low or off target, so you should practice receiving passes often. You can do the rest of your team a favor by practicing how you can best complete imperfect passes.

You can learn to trick the opposing team. Back passes can give your team the opportunity to score while the other team is still wondering what happened. To do a back pass, begin by grasping the basketball using your dominant hand. Then you will want to pull the ball into position behind your back. Quickly flick with your wrist in the direction you want to pass the ball. This is a good way to trick your opponents.

TIP! Free throw practice is vitally important. It looks simple to do, but it isn’t that easy.

Quick and solid footwork is what it takes to make the shot when your posting up. There are two important points you must remember. You must create a physical presence below the basket, and you must secure a good spot in advance of your opponent. Once you’ve reached a good spot, you need to secure it. The key to mastering these skills is good footwork.

When injuries occur on the court, it is unwise to keep on playing. It’s a challenging sport that’s very physical, and you have the ability to get injured. Trying to tough it out and keep playing, even if you are experiencing discomfort, can exacerbate an injury even more. See a physician if you think your injury is serious.

Have your team mates critique your playing skills. What do you need to focus in on and practice more? They may say that you are a great team defender or are always playing with excellent speed. It’s great to get an idea of how your teammates think of your skills, this way you know what areas of the game to focus on.

TIP! When dribbling the basketball you should keep your head up. If you need to look at the ball while dribbling, you’ll need to practice more.

Proper handling of the ball requires that your fingers be spread apart. This way, you won’t lose the ball when holding it. In addition, keep your palm off of the ball. When shooting or passing the ball, only your fingers should contact the ball.

If you’re looking to be the best defensive player that you can be, you’ll want to know your opponent. Pay attention to how they play. Also know which is their dominant and weak hands. Knowing your opponent well helps you be much more effective. One of the most important keys to being a solid defender is an understanding of your opponent.

To get more out of layups, take off using the foot that;s the opposite of your shooting hand. If you use your right hand to shoot, use your left foot to take off. This way you keep your body away from defenders, your momentum going in the direction of the basket and your body stays balanced.

Dribbling Skills

Using a weaker hand helps improve overall dribbling skills. It will be much easier to blow past your opponent if you can dribble with both hands. Tie the main hand you use behind your back so that you have to use the weak hand. Very soon, you will develop dribbling skills with the hand you considered weak.

Be sure your vision is unobstructed. You don’t need great vision just to keep score. You want to be sure that your peripheral vision is at its best. When you can see the big picture, you can react to anything.

TIP! Know your strengths and they’ll help you become a better player. You can contribute to the team by consolidating your best skills, even if these skills do not make you one of the star players.

Do you now know the answers to your questions? Are you prepared to get out there and show off some new skills? Are you set to up your basketball skills? Use these tips to become a better player.