The sport of basketball is a world within itself. You explored passing, shooting, and dribbling. Sooner or later, you need to seek out new ideas. In this article we will strive to share new and different ideas with you, no matter how skilled you are.

Learn the mechanics of a free throw. As easy as these shots may seem, they are rather hard. Try using this technique in practicing. Start by holding your basketball right in the front of your own face. Picture yourself going through the shot in your mind, with the ball sinking through the net. Once you’ve visualized this, take your shot as you just saw it in your head.

TIP! If you want to improve your game, concentrate on your strengths. Your talent might not make you a star; however, learning your strengths will help you become a better team player.

Make sure you dribble properly by keeping your head held up, facing forward. If you start staring at the ball while you dribble, you know you need to practice more. Always have a basketball handy. Walking to your mailbox? Dribble the ball. You will not be able to see what’s happening before you on the court while beholding the ball.

Start out with proper balance before attempting to take a shot. We have all seen the professional basketball player falling out of bounds and making a basket from 30 feet away, but this is not proper technique. This is simply an improvised move. You need the right balance to shoot; it is the only way to eventually make consistent baskets.

Lifting weights too much can actually take away from your jump shot. Perimeter players don’t need the muscle strength that is necessary for other team members. Some shooting guards worked on their arms so much that they started lowering their percentage of field goals.

TIP! Make sure to practice your layups whenever possible. In a typical game, up to four-fifths of all shots are layups.

If you’re looking to be the best defensive player that you can be, you’ll want to know your opponent. Watch tapes of their games and see how others move on the court. Keep track of which players are right hand dominant and which are left hand dominant. Knowing your opponent well helps you be much more effective. A defender that is knowledgeable is an effective defender.

It is important to be aware of the location of your feet and just what they are up to. If you slide onto the baseline, you will lose the ball for being out of bounds. If you walk without dribbling, you will be called for walking and this will result in a turnover. You may need to keep your feet planted to avoid getting called for charging.

You now have the knowledge you need to master the game. Set your goals and practice all you can to better your skills. A little effort and some new strategies can bring your game to a whole new level.