SUPPLIES
- Basketball
- Basketball hoop
Overview
It is common for a basketball player to want to be a great shooter. Becoming a better shooter in basketball can be done but it requires a player to have a very dedicated work ethic that allows him to shoot enough shots in practice so that his stroke becomes second nature and automatic. There are some basic shooting mechanics that a player can work on so that he eventually improves his shooting ability.
Step 1
Focus on having your hands in the correct position to shoot the basketball. The shooting hand needs to be in a position facing the basket on each shot, with the fingers spread out and the thumb relaxed. Relax your hands so that the basketball comes in contact with the pads of the fingers but not the palm. Put your other hand--the non-shooting one--under the ball for balance and support. Try to shoot the ball so that the index finger of the shooting hand is the focal point of the release.
Step 2
Hold the ball properly when bringing it up into shooting position. Work on making sure that the elbow of the shooting hand stays in towards your body and not out at an angle as this will affect the trajectory of the shot. Shoot the ball from in front of the shoulder of your shooting arm and above it, with the ball being released from a point that is midway between the shoulder and the ear.
Step 3
Make sure that you are balanced as you shoot the basketball. Realize that it is always paramount to be facing the basket when you take a jump shot. Keep your feet shoulder width apart with them facing ahead and towards the target. Bend at the knees to be able to acquire some power as you come up and leave your feet to shoot the ball. Align the foot that is on the same side as your shooting hand so that it is just a little bit forward of your other foot and keep your head forward as well with the upper body leaning slightly towards the basketball hoop.
Step 4
Concentrate on the basket, keeping your eyes on it and aim to shoot the ball over the front of its rim unless you are attempting to bank the ball in at an angle. When you are at a 45 degree angle from the basket consider taking a bank shot. In this case, aim the ball for the top of the near corner of that little box on the backboard behind the rim. After shooting the basketball keep your eyes focused on the rim and not the ball or anything else happening on the court as this will develop superior concentration that can block out all distractions as you shoot.
Step 5
Don't ignore the importance of a good follow-through. Keep the shooting arm up after the ball leaves it and have your index finger pointing at the rim. Check to see if the palm is turned downwards on the shooting hand and the other palm, the one on the balancing hand, is turned up. Emphasize this follow-through even if it means exaggerating it as this will help you to maintain solid mechanics in your quest to become a better basketball shooter.
TIPS AND WARNINGS
- TIP : Once the mechanics of your shot are in place then shoot the ball over and over again, even up to 1,000 times a day to develop a shooting motion that stays with you.
Watch the best shooters in college and the NBA to see how they shoot the ball and try to pick up what they are doing right that you may be doing wrong.
Resources
