Tips on Basketball Shooting Form

Basketball is a fast-paced game that requires players to launch the ball from many positions around the arc to score a basket. A controlled and measured movement when releasing the ball allows players to score from many positions. The most skilled basketball shooters got that very skill by hours of continual shooting. A player who wants to shoot the basketball with any predictability needs to assure proper shooting form, practice, and simulate game situations to test that new found skill.

Balance your weight evenly on your feet by spreading your legs shoulder-width apart and bending the knees slightly. Your ultimate goal is to learn to hit your shooting position, establish your balance, and shoot the ball quickly all in one fluid movement. Position the basketball on your fingertips with your hand facing the basket and your elbow directly below the ball. Your fingers should be spread out. Position your free hand to steady the ball on the side, but don't hold the ball with this hand. When releasing the ball, follow through with a full hand motion that includes flicking the wrist directly forward pointing toward the basket. This flicking motion often adds a backspin to the ball when perfected. Learning to shoot a layup adds a great shot to your basketball-shooting arsenal. Shooting the jump shot adds versatility to your game. Being able to shoot within the paint while in motion allows you to reach over defenders to make a shot. Jump shots involve springing off the floor while maintaining a position squarely facing the basket. Your hand placement and focus on the basket remains the same, as does your release technique, except you are extending your arm to push the ball toward the basket.

The top NBA and college players spend hours in the gym perfecting their shot. Basketball shooting requires continual practice from every angle on the court as well as practice for layups, jump shots and three-point shots. Once your shooting form is perfected, you'll have more confidence shooting from various positions around the court. Practice a range of shots from a variety of positions on the court every day until your successful shot becomes automatic.

Being an accurate shooter on an empty court serves the purpose of helping you perfect your shooting form. Whenever possible, practice your basketball shooting during a game simulation. Use other players or cones to simulate game play, and run through your shots.