Place the nail, point down, where you want to drive it. Grip the hammer near the end of the handle with your dominant hand, while holding the nail in place with your other hand.
Tap the nail with the hammer until the nail can stand in the wood without having to hold it. Hit the nail with the hammer until the head of the nail is about 1/8-inch from the wood surface.
Avoid scratches or hammer dents by using a nail set to finish driving the nail. Use a nail set that is the same diameter as the finishing nail. Center it on top of the nail and hit it with the hammer. Continue hammering until the nail is about 1/8-inch below the surface of the wood.