A wonderful thing about the game of basketball is the fact that it’s not a complicated sport to understand at a basic level. The basics can be acquired in a few minutes. However, you can always learn more to improve your game, and this article is here to help you.

Make sure to practice your layups frequently. Layups sometimes wind up to 80 percent of the shots taken during a game. When you practice, be sure to run at the goal with full speed, then shoot while jumping in the air.This method will teach you in perfecting your ability to jump and shots throughout the game.

Free throws are as much mental and physical abilities. Stay focused and vigilant to improve your free throw percentage.

Want to trick the other team not know what’s going on? Back passes are a great way to confuse other team is still wondering what happened. Hold the ball using your writing hand. This should make it easy to trick the opposing team.

Hand signals can help stop you avoid those errant passes. Hand signals can help you if your teammate is ready.

Ask fellow team members what they admire about your playing skills? Do they feel you do something particularly well? Maybe you are quick like lightening or maybe you are reliably there to support them.

Never turn away from the ball so that you can always be prepared for anything in a basketball game. You have to be aware of what is going on with the court. Keep an eye open for areas that are open.

Understanding your opponent is key in beating a tough defense. Watch tapes of their games and stay up on scouting reports. When you know some of the other player’s moves, you will play a better defense. A defender with an effective defender.

Good footwork can really help you to get rebounds off your teammates’ foul shots. The defender in your path will be moving at you, the better you chance of grabbing the rebound. This will get you to secure the rebound without getting penalized for a foul.

Try some drills that require you to move the basketball from one end of the court to the other in about five dribbles.This might seem impossible at first, but once you’ve gotten the hang of it, you’ll be a force to be reckoned with. This is a vital skill to give you accomplish great layups on fast break opportunities.

Don’t allow your feet get crossed and it will have difficulty getting around you.

Maybe you’ve only recently learned basketball. Perhaps you played a match or two as a child. Either way, the preceding advice will help you improve your game. Keep this advice in mind during the next match.