Basketball Shooting Techniques

If you're looking to work on your shot, there are some basics that you can apply regardless of your ability level or shot specifics. You can also use an easy drill that will gradually increase your shooting skills if repeated consistently. If your shot seems to have a flaw, there are some considerations that may help to correct specific tendencies.

There are different types of shots in basketball. The first and most basic shot is the set shot. This involves standing in one place and releasing the shot. This shot forms the core for the jump shot and will aid in developing a solid layup. A jump shot is similar to a set shot except for the addition of being in the air while shooting. While shooting a jump shot, the perfect release point is at the highest point of the jump. Although not using standard shot techniques, the layup has, perhaps, the highest percentage of all shots to be made. It involves jumping from near the rim, toward the basket, and gently either lofting the ball with one hand into the rim, or banking the ball into the basket. Each of these shots takes various forms. A set shot typically only occurs from a non-moving position as a straight shot, but it can also occur as a result of a spin move or other dribbling maneuver. It is in the jump shot that many possibilities become available. A jump shot can be performed as a leane---leaning toward the hoop; a turnaround---beginning with your back to the hoop and jumping as you turn to face the hoop; a fade away---jumping away from the hoop as you shoot; or a simple jump shot where you jump straight up and let it fly. Layups open a host of possibilities including dunks, reverses---coming from one side and laying the ball up on the other, left-handed, right-handed or even finger rolls---rolling the ball off of the end of your fingers. Before you can master any of these shots, you must have a basic understanding of how to properly shoot a basketball.

Before you ever pick up the ball, you need to know how to stand on the court. Generally speaking, you want to stand with your feet pointing straight ahead, knees bent to a 45-degree angle, weight disbursed on the balls of your feet and your shoulders square to the rim. This position enables you with the most power and the simplest angle. Once you understand the stance, place the ball in your dominant hand. Pretend you are a waiter and the basketball acts as a tray. Your arm should be raised so that your upper arm is parallel to the floor and your lower arm is at a 90-degree angle to that with the ball balanced on top. You will notice that the best shooters typically shoot almost entirely with one hand. The second hand acts as a steadying tool to balance the shot but does not influence the trajectory established by the dominant hand. Keeping this in mind, place your other hand on the side of the ball, gripping only enough to support the dominant hand. When actually shooting the ball you want to make sure that you shoot with your legs and your wrists. While the form of your entire body matters, if you do not get your power from your legs, your shot will never be solid. Your wrists help to control the rotation of the ball in the air. You want to create backspin as you snap your dominant hand forward while using your other hand to keep the rotation straight with the basket. When you release the ball your body should be straight and your dominant arm should be raised above your head with your wrist dangling downward. The final consideration you need is arc. Without enough arc on your shot you greatly decrease your chances of making the shot. A standard rim has a wide enough opening for two basketballs to pass through side by side. By increasing your arc you take advantage of increased surface area. When your shot is a straight line the surface area becomes almost nothing because you are approaching from an angle that presents only a small amount of the surface to you. If you increase the arc, the ball descends upon the rim allowing full access to the surface area and increasing the chance you make the shot.

To improve your shot you can follow a simple drill. Beginning about two or three feet from the rim, standing on one side or the other at a 45-degree angle, work on shooting the ball off of the backboard using only one hand. Repeat this process for as many times as you feel it takes to be comfortable with your shot. After you are read, step out two more feet and try again, still one handed and still using the backboard. Keep doing this until you are at a point where you need two hands to feel comfortable with your shot. Now add your second hand and keep working your way back. Repeat this drill every day and your shot will continue to improve. Your focus should not be on the three-point shots as much as on the one-handed shots. The closer shots will work more on your form while the longer will improve your range. If this drill seems too simple, begin to punish yourself for misses. If you miss two shots at any distance you should step back to the shortest distance and work your way out again. By doing this you continue to focus on technique and engrain the importance of making shots in your psyche.

If you have issues getting your shot online, you may be able to correct it with simple alterations. While these won't fix every potential problem, they can give you a place to start when adjusting your mechanics. Begin by noticing how your shots are missing. Does the ball curve away from your dominant hand? This sort of question can help establish the problem so that you can work on it. When your shot veers to the right or left it can typically be corrected by changing the ball position in your hand or by adjusting your guiding hand. If the ball tends to go the direction of your dominant hand try to release some of the force you place on it with your guiding hand. It probably goes that way because you are pushing it slightly with the guiding hand. If the ball goes the direction of your guiding hand increase the amount of your guiding hand that touches the ball. You still want that hand to act as a straightening device and by increasing its presence you are doing just that. The other consideration is to make sure the ball is centered in your dominant hand, rolling off of your middle finger as it is released. These simple hand changes can make a big difference in your shot. The other optional change is your foot position. Whereas most people want to line up with their feet squared with the basket, in some cases you will want to angle your feet to the right or the left. The reason that this occurs is because some people have opposite dominant hands and eyes. If you are right eye dominant and left handed you will want to angle your feet so that your right eye line of sight is looking over your left hand. This is one of the more challenging fundamental changes to make in improving your shot and will take time to get used to. When you adjust these elements of your shot they will eventually help you to have a more accurate shot.

As with any skill it will take time. To improve your shot will require dedication to your technique and your drills. This improvement will occur over a course of months and you will never truly master shooting. As you age and your body changes you will have to adjust elements of your shot corresponding to these changes. It is also unrealistic if you have never picked up a basketball to assume you will be shooting like a pro in the same amount of time as it might take someone who has played for years to improve a minor hitch in his shot. Ultimately the time frame needed to improve your shot will depend on your previous ability level, your understanding of technique, and your physical capability. Because of the importance of eye coordination it is realistic to assume that for some people a high shooting percentage, even with proper form, may never be possible.