Make sure that you are properly conditioned and warmed-up before playing. This is important for any sport to avoid exhaustion or injuries.

When shooting the basketball, push your hands up instead of out to help improve the arch of the ball during the shot. Try to shoot the ball with the same force every time you make a shot, adjusting only your arch to change the distance of the shot.

When you are passing the ball, make sure that the pass is one that can be handled by the intended recipient. If you are attempting to pass the ball to someone who is moving, fire it in the direction they are moving and without too much force, so that they do not have to slow down to catch the pass. Once you have passed the ball, keep moving, so that you may be of later use during the play.

When dribbling the ball, dribble with your head up. It is easier for the ball to be stolen and to lose focus on what is going on around you if you dribble with your head down.

Try to be able to dribble the ball with both hands. While you may not be as good at dribbling using the hand you wouldn't ordinarily use, at least you can practice to be good enough at it to use this hand if need be, making it harder to have the ball stolen from you, and easier to create moves you might not otherwise be able to make.

If you are shooting a free throw, make sure you are lined up with the basket. If you are right-handed, your right foot should be lined up with the center of the rim. If you are left-handed, your left foot should be aligned this way.

When you are jumping for a rebound, try to grab the ball with both hands. At the very least, attempt to tip the ball to a teammate if you are unable to grab it for yourself.

If the ball is being passed in your direction, don't wait for the basketball to get to you. Step forward and "greet" the ball. Many passes are stolen by the opposing team because players wait for the ball to come to them.

A player with the ball should never be able to shoot without having at least one opposing player trying to block him. If you are defending a shot, to avoid getting called for a foul, stay on your feet and face the shooter until the shooter leaves his feet. Once you have left your feet, try to get at least one hand on the ball to block the shot. At the very least, by attempting to do this you will block the line of sight of the shooter.

You will be more likely to get the ball passed to you by a teammate if you can outrun your opponent during the fast break following a score or rebound.

Be a great player without the ball. Always be moving and getting yourself in position to call for a pass, set a screen, box out for a rebound, etc. If you're just standing around, you are hurting your team.

Push to improve everyday, both physically and mentally. Play against players that are better than you and learn from the games you watch on tv.