Are you ready to learn some new techniques? You are a player with love for the sport. But there’s always room for improvement, and everyone knows that. With that knowledge in mind, you are likely to be taught a tip or two that you did not know before. The following article will give you some great basketball tips that you don’t want to miss.

Practice your free throw shot. It looks simple to do, but it isn’t that easy. Practice frequently using these techniques. Start out by holding the basketball right in front of you. Maintain focus on the basket and try to visualize your basketball falling through the hoop. Then shoot! Shoot the ball in the trajectory you imagined.

TIP! You can improve your skills by paying attention to how the pros play. Go to games, watch them on TV and you can also watch videos.

Look forward when dribbling. Anyone who watching the ball while they dribble surely needs to spend more time in the gym practicing. Carry your basketball everywhere. Dribble as you walk down the street. If you look your ball, you can’t see the court.

If you have the ball a lot, learn to execute a crossover. When you do a crossover, you move the basketball very fast from one hand over to the other hand. This should be something you do quickly. Once you master the art of the crossover dribble, you will be able to change directions quicker.

There is a lot of pressure when shooting free throws. You can teach your body to make a free throw properly, but unless you are properly prepared mentally, you may not succeed. Relax yourself and concentrate on your shot.

TIP! You can learn how to better pass the ball if you run drills without the dribble. Passing drills with your team is important for accurate passes during game time, and you can try doing them without dribbling at all.

Practice playing by yourself. Sometimes you cannot find a team of people to play basketball with. No problem! It is possible to get a lot done even when playing alone. Practice pivoting or you can practice doing free throws. There is no shortage of things you can do.

Should you receive an injury during the course of the game, never try to continue playing despite the pain. Basketball is physically demanding and you can easily get hurt. If you keep on playing after sustaining an injury, you may make the injury even more serious. If it is a serious injury, see a doctor.

Make it your goal to never turn away from the ball on the court. It’s all about court awareness, and always facing the ball will make it so you are less surprised by passes. That means less turnovers. When your eyes are constantly assessing the game, you will be better able to make easy shots.

TIP! Lay off the weights if you are trying to become a jump shooter. Muscle strength is great for any position in basketball, you can have too much when it comes to perimeter play.

Basketball players must be fast. To get an advantage over an opposing player, you must have the quickest reactions. You have to be steady as you play quickly. Just don’t play any faster than you’re able to. Playing beyond your speed cause the game to get out of control with various turnovers and errant passes.

Practice with your weak hand when it comes to dribbling. Dribbling with both hands helps you gain the upper one. Practice with your weak hand by tying your dominant hand behind your back. Soon enough you will develop those weak hand dribbling skills.

Try to strengthen your forearms and hands to better handle the ball. Wrist curls work well at helping you handle the ball. Good playing is not only instinctive, it takes hard work and discipline. You have to get the ball around, too.

TIP! Want to make the other team not know what’s going on? Try doing what is known as a back pass. To work it, place the ball in your most dominant hand.

Change your pace up to throw the offense off. As you approach the goal, plant your foot and then straighten up. The guard will assume you are reducing speed and will do the same. Push forward and blast by them.

To improve 3 point shooting, practice from NBA distance, at least. The established International standard line is closer, as are the high school and college lines. Hitting from the NBA range makes you get deeper-ranged looks than the defense will be guarding you at.

The only way to gain skill in outside shooting is to make over 100 practice shots every day from various spots on the court. An even better way to improve your accuracy is to practice shooting after pulling up from a dribble. Do not focus on the target until you are already in the air. This helps to simulate game conditions and improving your accuracy.

TIP! Perform skills, practice your ball handling and shoot free throws when you are practicing alone. Sometimes you cannot find a team of people to play basketball with.

Using the information you got here, you can hit the court with new-found energy. Finding out more about basketball can prove to be helpful. Keep this information in mind when you are improving your basketball skills. This engaging sport is great for people of any age.