Do you enjoy watching players like Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and Carmelo Anthony? Do you want to be like them? Don’t just dream about it, do it! Use these tips to help you accomplish those great feats.

TIP! It is important that you practice layups. In a typical game, up to four-fifths of all shots are layups.

Make sure you are dribbling the right way. When you dribble, use the fingertips, not the palm. When you do this you will have more control over the ball. Also, dribble off to the side instead of in front. The ball should bounce no higher than your waist. Never look at the ground. Always look up.

Improving your balance means improving your shots. You have seen how pros shoot a basket from thirty feet away and fall out of bounds, which is not the right technique. They’re just improvising at this point. 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! Avoid errant passes by the use of hand signals. You can become easily frustrated when a teammate does a poor job of anticipating your next passing move.

A good tip is to practice your layups on a daily basis. Layups sometimes wind up being 4 out of every 5 shots in basketball. Practice running while dribbling, jumping and shooting as smoothly as you can. Knowing how to run and jump quickly and smoothly will assist you in knowing how to leap and shoot more effectively while playing.

Practice the skill of pass catching. Make sure you get used to catching less than perfect passes smoothly. When playing in the game, it’s rare that every pass will hit a bulls-eye. Help your teammates by learning what you need to haul in those imperfect passes.

TIP! One great thing to do if you wish to be prepared while playing is to make sure your back isn’t turned to the ball. Always knowing where the ball is will make sure that you are ready if it quickly comes your way.

Play basketball against yourself even during the off-season. Sometimes you cannot find a team of people to play basketball with. That’s OK! There are many ways that you can improve your game alone. Practice pivoting and free throw shooting. You can always find things to work on.

If you’re injured in a basketball game, don’t attempt to play while in pain. Basketball is physically demanding, and it is easy to get hurt. By “playing through the pain” you take a huge risk that the injury will become much worse. Don’t hesitate to see the doctor if you feel the injury warrants it.

TIP! Always be aware of the locations of your feet and what they’re doing. Placing even a single toe atop the baseline while holding the ball will result in you being ruled out of bounds.

Understanding your opponent is a good way to shut him down on defense. Pay attention to how they play. For example, you should know which of the players are left-handed and which are right-handed. Once you understand the opposition, you will now how to mount your defense. A person that knows about defending makes a strong defender.

You need to be quick to be good at basketball. If you want the advantage, you’ve got more quickly. In order to be fast, you must constantly do drills. Do not try playing faster than you can. By playing beyond your speed capabilities, you will quickly lose control of the ball, which will lead to bad passes, bad shots, and turnovers.

TIP! Have someone record the games you play so that you can watch it to check out your form. Looking at tapes can help you identify strengths and weaknesses.

Always be aware of where you have your feet and what you are going to do with them next. If you fall on a baseline, you will be out of bounds. Taking excessive steps while not dribbling results in a call of walking as well as a turnover. You may need to keep your feet planted to avoid getting called for charging.

When you’re practicing passing, try to look the other way. This will confuse your opponents. When it’s done properly, it will cause the opponents to go to the wrong area so that you can pass to someone that has a good look at a basket before shooting. It really can be a powerful technique.

TIP! To get better at shooting free throws, make sure to keep a consistent pre-shot routine. Focus on your shot and eliminate all outside distractions.

Be sly on your soles to catch rebounds from free-throws your own team members are making. The defender below you will be moving toward you, so find a way to slip around him and get to the ball. You won’t foul as you catch the rebound this way.

Building strength improves your basketball game. Strength, flexibility and stamina are all important things to have in basketball. Even the youngest players need to have strong arms and legs. As they grow and become teenagers, weight-lifting can be beneficial. Adult players must use strength training to prevent loss of mobility, speed, and power.

TIP! If you wish to succeed in a defensive role, you must be able to break your opponents’ concentration. Don’t let them get comfortable.

Only cease dribbling when you are prepared to shoot or pass. If you stop dribbling, then you don’t really have that many options. Your only option, besides shooting or passing, is to use your back foot to pivot. If you cannot shoot or pass the ball, you are in danger of getting the ball taken away from you.

These tips should give plenty of things to work on to improve your game. Consistency and confidence go a long way in making you a skilled, successful player. Show people what you got, and make sure you always remember the advice that you’ve read.