There are few countries where basketball isn’t played. The players all work together to lead their team to victory. If you’re here to get educated on how you can become a better basketball player then continue to the article below.

Practice your free throw shot. This looks easy, but it is actually very hard to do. Practice a lot with the following method. Hold the ball level with your face. Your eyes should be on the goal. You should be thinking about the ball going in the hoop. Then shoot the ball with the trajectory that you visualized.

TIP! Concentrate on your strong points if you want to improve your game. You may not be the star player, but by contributing the best way you can you will win more games.

Free throws require both mental and physical abilities. You can teach your body to make a free throw properly, but unless you are properly prepared mentally, you may not succeed. You are more likely to make more successful free throws if you relax and focus on the basket.

Improve your passing abilities by challenging yourself to perform drills without actually dribbling. It’s hard to play without dribbling, however, it can help you and your team create more accurate passes. Keep your emotions in check if quality passing is not happening right away as it takes time to perfect this part of the game.

If you want to be a master of the jump shot, do not make weight lifting a priority. Although it’s true that strong muscles are beneficial, additional bulk can impede your ability to play effectively along the perimeter. There have been instances where great shooters bulk up so much that it adversely affects their shooting percentage.

TIP! Perfect your layup technique. Almost 80% of shots will be layups.

When an injury occurs while you are playing ball, don’t keep playing with pain. This is a physically challenging game, so you may end up hurt much worse. Playing through an injury can prolong it which is always bad. Don’t hesitate to see the doctor if you feel the injury warrants it.

A great way you can prepare for what happens on the basketball court is to avoid having your back to the ball. That will keep you aware, so you don’t get surprised by turnovers or quick passes. Pay attention to open areas for passes, too.

Understanding the opponent is key in beating a tough defense. Review tapes and keep up with scouting reports. Remember which player shoots left and which shoots right. When you know some of the other player’s moves, you’ll have a leg up during a game as you’ll be able to predict what he is going to do. Knowledge is power, even in basketball.

TIP! In order to help you improve your basketball acumen you should watch how the pros play. Attend as many professional games as you can, watch the pros on TV, or watch video of professionals.

Anyone who plays basketball wants to hone certain skills to improve their game. You should now understand what it takes to be a great basketball player. If you forget a piece of advice from this article, come back and read it again. Always keep practicing the tips from above to improve your game.