One of the most popular sports is basketball. Whether you enjoy watching games, playing for a team or simply playing in the yard, basketball will always be around. Anyone who plays basketball wants to improve their game. Here are some great tips on how to take your game to an all new level and to score some winning points.

Figure out how to perfect your free throw. These shots may seem easy, but they can be quite difficult. Put this technique into practice as often as you can. To start off, hold the ball in front of you. Keep looking at the goal while visualizing the basketball going through the hoop. Then, use the trajectory you just visualized and shoot the ball.

TIP! The way to properly dribble is to keep your head up while looking ahead of you. If you have to look at the ball while dribbling, that means you need to practice more.

If you want to improve your game, concentrate on your strengths. Your skills may not turn you into the star player, but knowing how to make the most of your skills will make you a more valuable player. Understand your strengths and use it to your advantage to help your team win!

Receiving Player

You should learn the best way to throw a great bounce pass. This means your pass should be aimed towards the receiving player at the level of his waist. It’s smart to get the ball to bounce about 75% to the receiving player. Of course, there are also other factors involved.

TIP! Balance is essential to shooting. Everyone has watched a pro player drift out of bounds while still making their shot, but this isn’t something to emulate.

Work on catching passes frequently. While you are practicing, you should be sure to drill yourself on catching errant throws, as well as catching those perfect passes. When the pressure is on, not every pass will come straight to you. You’ll be helping out your team a great deal if you can catch their not so perfect passes.

If you want to take jump shots, don’t spend time pumping iron. While muscle strength is good to have in any basketball position, it is possible to have too much for perimeter play. Some professionals develop their muscles so much that they are actually having a hard time with shooting.

Play games against yourself in and out of season. Though basketball is surely a team sport, there may be times when you have nobody to play against. That’s fine. Playing on your own can give you the chance to work on isolated areas of your game. Practice pivoting or you can practice doing free throws. You can always find things to practice.

TIP! Do you want to fool the other team? Consider the back pass. Hold the basketball with your writing hand.

As you have learned, there are many ways to improve your game. Many techniques can be mastered easily through repetition. No matter what you are trying to learn, practice makes perfect. You just need a basketball and a hoop. You can practice alone, play with teammates or enjoy a pickup game in your neighborhood.