Basketball season can be an all encompassing obsession for players and for the fans who support the teams. If you play the game and want to get better, you need to put in the work and make a commitment. This is the responsibility of every team member, so it’s important that team members view their own skills and abilities realistically. Continue on for excellent tips to ensure that you win as many games as you can.

When dribbling the basketball you should keep your head up. Looking directly at the ball means you aren’t good at the game yet. Carry your basketball everywhere. On your way to the grocery store, practice your dribbling. If you have to watch the ball, you will be unable to see whatever is going on at court level.

TIP! Perfect your layup technique. Up to eighty percent of the baskets attempted in a game are layups.

You can play basketball solo before and during the season. Even though you play on a team, practicing alone can be helpful. That is not a problem. There is much that can be accomplished when playing on your own. Practice pivoting or doing free throws. You can always find things to work on.

It is best to take a break if you sustain an injury while playing. Basketball is challenging physical sport and you can get injured. Trying to be tough so you can keep going, even when you’re just a little uncomfortable, can make an injury worse. Be sure to talk to a doctor if you feel that the injury isn’t going away.

Speed is everything in the sport of basketball. Try to outplay your opponents by being fast to win the game. Steady drilling is the key to playing fast. Do not try playing faster than you can. When you play too fast, you can lose control and that means turnovers.

TIP! Make sure that your regular practice includes catching of passes. When you practice, be sure to do drills that improve catching wild throws and making great passes.

To land your layups, jump off the foot opposite the hand you shoot with. What this practically means is that if your right hand is your shooting hand, you need to take off with your left foot. This keeps your body balanced and moving toward the basket and keeps your body between yourself and your defender.

Free Throw

Create a routine to improve your free throw success. When you stay consistent, you get better success. To better perfect free throw techniques, try using repetition via practicing one routine repeatedly. Failing to stick with your routine can adversely affect your shooting accuracy.

TIP! Play basketball against yourself even during the off-season. Even if you can’t get a bunch of people together to play, you can still practice on your own.

As stated in the above article, anyone can improve their basketball skills through many different ways. Increasing your skills will also build your team’s success. Everyone at the game has to play their role. If you are a player, you need to give everything you have. Just keep these concepts close at hand, and you can be transformed into a truly valuable player.