It’s difficult to overestimate just how many fans of basketball there are around the world. To fully enjoy basketball, whether as enthusiastic spectator or player, you need to fully understand this game. This article will help you do that.

TIP! Make sure you are dribbling the right way. When you dribble a basketball you have to use the fingertips instead of the hand’s palm.

Make sure you dribble properly by keeping your head held up, facing forward. You should never be looking at the basketball while dribbling. Take the basketball around off-court wherever you are. Try dribbling even when walking to a store. Maintaining unbroken visual contact with the ball makes it difficult to be aware of your surroundings.

Your balance is an important aspect to consider when you are shooting. Sometimes you’ll see professional players fall out of bounds while making a shot from afar, but this doesn’t work at all times. They are merely making up the play on the spot. Point your feet towards the basket, guide the ball with your weaker hand and push the ball away with your strong hand whenever you shoot the basketball.

TIP! When using the ball a lot, you must relearn a crossover. Crossover dribble is switching hands while you’re dribbling.

Lifting weights too much can actually take away from your jump shot. Muscle flexibility is more important than muscle mass. Some shooting guards worked on their arms so much that they started lowering their percentage of field goals.

If you get injured while playing basketball, do not try to play through the pain. Basketball is hard to play well even when you are healthy, so don’t push it. By “playing through the pain” you take a huge risk that the injury will become much worse. If you are seriously injured, obtain medical care.

TIP! Practice your layup shot as frequently as possible. Layups account for up to 80 percent of the shots taken during a game.

Ask your teammates what they like about the way you play. Can you get better at something? Perhaps you have good dribbling skills or maybe your footwork is enviable. Improve the skills where you tend to be a bit weaker while maintaining your stronger skills.

Keeping your fingers spread wide is important for holding onto the ball. This will help prevent the ball from getting away from you while dribbling. Don’t let your palm touch the ball either. 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. Without a strong mindset, your body simply goes through the motions to take the shot.

You can play a great defensive game if you know the opposition well. Watch replays and follow scouting reports. One simple thing to know before the game is if your opponent shoots with their right or left hand. Understanding your opponent allows you to effectively play defense. Strong defenders are knowledgeable defenders.

Always be aware of where you have your feet and what you are going to do with them next. When you are in possession of the ball, touching the baseline will get you out of bounds. In addition, if you move your feet and you don’t dribble, you will be called for walking. If you move either foot while trying to pick, take a charge or set a screen, it will result in a called foul.

TIP! Don’t just practice your game against the zone defense. Zone play will be important, but man-to-man will pop up from time to time, too.

To help perfect your free throw abilities you should perform a consistent routine. This may mean you want to dribble three times, touch your forehead, bend at the knees, or do anything else. This routine will help you make your free throws, but make the routine a quick one.

As soon as the ball leaves your teammate’s hands after a free throw, start moving into position. The defender in your path will be moving at you, so be sure you’re thinking of how to get past that defender. This technique will help you rebound the ball without getting a foul called on you.

TIP! Don’t pump too much iron if you plan on being a jump shooter. Perimeter players don’t need the muscle strength that is necessary for other team members.

No sport can compare to the excitement basketball fans experience. This being said, if you don’t understand the basics of the game, it is difficult to connect with what you are seeing. This article is going to help you better understand the game of basketball.