Before succeeding at anything, you must research and learn how to do it. Great basketball players are not born that way, they work at being better players and continue to learn and practice. Read on to find expert advice on improving your game.

Practice shooting free throws. The free throw shot might seem simple, but it can actually be pretty difficult. Use good technique when shooting foul shots. First, keep the ball in front of you and at eye level. Picture yourself going through the shot in your mind, with the ball sinking through the net. Then repeat that when you take the shot.

TIP! Dribble the ball correctly. When you dribble a basketball you have to use the fingertips instead of the hand’s palm.

When dribbling, your head must be up, and you need to look forward. If you have to ever look at the ball while dribbling, then you haven’t practiced that enough. Take the basketball around off-court wherever you are. Dribble as you walk to the market. Remember, if you are directly staring at the ball, there’s no way for you to see what’s happening on the court.

Free throws have a huge mental element to them. Without a strong mindset, your body simply goes through the motions to take the shot. Stay relaxed and just focus on the goal and you will increase your free throw rate.

Lay off the weights if you are trying to become a jump shooter. Muscle strength is beneficial for playing any basketball position, but there is such a thing as too much. Some professionals develop their muscles so much that they are actually having a hard time with shooting.

TIP! When dribbling, focus on what’s in front of you by keeping your head up. Looking directly at the ball means you aren’t good at the game yet.

If there’s no one around to play with, it is okay to play a basketball game by yourself. These skills all help with muscle memory so you know just what to do when you’re playing in a game. That is not a problem. There are many ways that you can improve your game alone. Practice free throws and work on pivot moves. Many things can be practiced.

Learning to improve things on your own initiative imparts a feeling of pride. Learning to be the best basketball player possible would be even more exciting. This can help you to impress your teammates, and help you to win games.