No one would attempt to fix a car’s transmission without knowing how to do it. Basketball is no different. Read on and learn some nifty tricks from the experts of basketball.

Try learning how to hit free throw shots. This looks easy, but it is actually very hard to do. When practicing your free throw, concentrate on where you want the ball to go when it leaves your hands. Hold the ball level to your face. Picture yourself going through the shot in your mind, with the ball sinking through the net. Then shoot the ball with the trajectory that you visualized.

TIP! Learn the mechanics of a free throw. This seems like an easy shot, but it is quite hard.

Make sure you are looking forward and looking up as you’re dribbling. If you have to keep your eye on the ball when you’re dribbling, practice can remedy that. One of the best ways to improve your dribbling is to bring your ball along anytime you need to walk somewhere. You can practice dribbling when you have to walk to the store. You will not be able to see what’s happening before you on the court while beholding the ball.

Put the emphasis on your strengths can help you to be a better basketball player. Your team will benefit more if you stop trying to be the star of the game and work your best. Understand your strengths and use it to your advantage to help your team win!

You should often work on your layups. Since layups account for the majority of scoring in a game. When you practice, you need to be able to run toward the basket at full speed, then shoot while jumping in the air. That technique of running and jumping helps you get ready for an actual game.

TIP! Every great player understands how to properly perform a bounce pass. A useful bounce pass will hit the receiving player at waist level.

You should practice against a variety of defense types, not just zone. The majority of game play might take place in the zone, but that doesn’t mean that the opposing team will not try to catch you off guard. If you haven’t prepared yourself for that, you might lose your game very quickly.

Learn good passing by drilling often without dribbling. This is very hard to accomplish, but it forces you and your fellow players to work on accurate passing skills. This is very challenging at first, but eventually it will really improve your entire team’s passing game.

Practice playing by yourself. Many times you are unable to find people to play with. No problem. Solo games can help you immensely. You can practice free throws or pivot moves. You can always hone your skills when practicing alone.

TIP! A great way to learn how to pass is by doing drills often with no dribbling. This helps to develop passing skills with your teammates, making it much more difficult if you’re standing in one spot and not dribbling.

If you experience a basketball injury, don’t keep playing. This sport is physically demanding and you can become injured. If you continue playing, you could make the injury even worse. If the injury feels too bad then seek medical attention right away.

One way to get a good understanding of your game is to ask your fellow players about your ability. Is there something that you excel at? You may be quick with your footwork or are always there for backing them up. Learn what the other people around you see while you are playing and it may open your eyes to new areas for practice.

When working out, focus on building your core strength and perfecting your footwork. Your body will naturally balance well if you have strong core muscles. Work your ab, back, hip and buttocks muscles. Similar to boxers, jumping rope can better your speed and footwork.

TIP! Children who aspire to become great basketball players in high school must engage in physical fitness activities that focus on the core muscles. Core muscles include the hips, abs, and lower back.

Speed is one of the best virtues when playing basketball. Make an effort to do all things on the court more speedily than the opposing team. To speed up the pace of your play, you need to keep practicing. However, don’t try and push past your limits. By playing beyond your speed capabilities, you will quickly lose control of the ball, which will lead to bad passes, bad shots, and turnovers.

A routine can enable your free throw percentage to rise. If you aren’t consistent, you will find that your shooting is off. You have to practice time and time again. Just keep repeating free throws, if you want to perfect that technique. Failing to stick with your routine can adversely affect your shooting accuracy.

Be sure your vision is unobstructed. While it will allow you to catch passes and read the score, there is more to it than that. You want your peripheral vision to be as good as it can. When you can see the big picture, you can react to anything.

TIP! When playing basketball, it is important to always keep your eye on the ball. This provides court awareness and prevents you from unexpected turnovers or quick passes.

Your defenders need to wait for the point guard to make it 10′ ahead of the time line. At this point, your guards must rush the point guard thus trapping him. Simultaneously, forwards should block sprint toward wing players. You will see the opposing point guard make a bad pass that anyone on your team can steal.

To build up your skills with your weaker hand, use it for everything from opening jars to brushing your teeth. If you can become more dexterous with it in all aspects of your life, you will be bettering your control of it. Keeping your opponents on their toes is an important part of basketball.

When you learn the game of basketball and practice hard, you’ll feel really good about yourself. Find out how these useful tips can make you a better basketball player. That will leave you winning games and impressing your teammates.