The key to mastering the game of basketball is practice. It is not only important to practice, but to improve through your practice as well. Use these tips to take your game to levels you never though possible before. You can do it.

Make sure to dribble properly. Proper dribbling technique involves use of the fingertips, not the palm of the hand. This gives you the best ball control. Dribble to your body's side instead of doing it out front, and bounce the ball at your waist's level. Look up and never down at the ground.

Balance is essential to shooting. We have all seen the professional basketball player falling out of bounds and making a basket from 30 feet away, but this is not proper technique. They are improvising. Consider proper balance when you shoot, and eventually you'll consistently make baskets.

Concentrate on your strong points if you want to improve your game. Your talent might not make you a star; however, learning your strengths will help you become a better team player. Ask others to help you identify your strengths and practice until you fully master these skills.

Make layups a part of your daily practice regimen. Layups sometimes wind up being 4 out of every 5 shots in basketball. When you practice, you need to be able to run toward the basket at full speed, then shoot while jumping in the air. Jump to the net and concentrate on shooting the ball in a specific location on the backboard.

You need to be quick to be good at basketball. Try to play faster than your opponents for an advantage. Regular drilling will increase your speed. Don't attempt to play more quickly than your skills allow. This can cause you to get out of control and make careless mistakes.

If the opposing team is guarding you to much, you can try a pass between your legs. You can train for this maneuver by stepping forward or backwards as you bounce the ball real hard in-between your legs. If you manage to master this, you will have a tremendous advantage during games.

Practice passing while looking in the opposite direction. This can go a long way toward confusing the opposition. When done right, the look draws your opponents to the wrong locale so that the person you passed to has a good long look at the basket before shooting. It can be quite powerful.

To maximize your layups, take off with the foot that opposes your shooting hand. When shooting right-handed, take off using the left foot. This will keep you balanced and going towards the basket.

If you don't want someone to steal the ball, dribble hard. This is because the ball returns to you hand faster, so the opposing team has less of a chance to get it. If you are being closely guarded, you should cease dribbling and pass the ball to an open member of your team.

Ensure that you have good court awareness. This isn't just for reading the score, but for catching passes and making shots. Your peripheral vision needs to be as strong as possible. Watching the whole court allows you to foresee future attacks from the opponent.

To increase your three-point shooting skill, shoot from where the NBA players range. The line in every other league is closer. If you can make a basket from there, you will open up the defense because they will have to play you closely.

These tips will help you improve your game no matter how frequently you play. Every skill can be improved on. Once you have practiced enough, each and every shot will make a positive impact for the team. This is what separates the professionals from the rookies.