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Basic basic shots include the one-hand set shot, free throw, jump shot, three-point shot, hook shot, lay-up, and runner. These shots percentage sure basic mechanics, including sight, balance, hand position, elbow-in alignment, shooting rhythm, and follow-through. The best way to develop your shot is to concentrate on only one or two mechanics at a time.

Sight

Focus your eyes on the basket, aiming just over the front of the rim for all except bank shots. Use a bank shot when you are at a 45-degree angle to the backboard. A 45-degree angle falls within the distance amid the box and the middle hash mark on the lane line. The distance for the bank angle–called the 45-degree funnel–widens as you move out. For shooting a bank shot, intention for the top near corner of the box on the backboard. Sight your target as soon as possible and keep your eyes focalized on the target until the ball reaches the goal. Your eyes will have to never follow the flight of the ball or your defender’s hand. Concentrating on the target helps eliminate obstacles to attention such as shouting, towel waving, an opponent’s hand, or even a hard foul.

Balance

Being in remainder leads to power and rhythmic control in your shot. Your base, or foot position, is the foundation of your balance, and keeping your head over your feet (base) controls your balance. Spread your feet comfortably to shoulder width and point your toes straight ahead. Pointing your toes straight aligns your knees, hips, and shoulders with the basket. The foot on the side of your shooting hand (right foot for a right-handed shot) is forward. The toe of your back foot is aligned with the heel of the foot on your shooting side (toe-to-heel relationship). Flex your legs at the knees. This gives necessary power to your shot. Beginning and fatigued players often times fail to flex their knees. To recompense for the lack of power from not using their legs, they tend to throw the ball from behind the head or shove the ball from the hip. Both actions manufacture errors. Your head will have to be over your waist and feet. Your head controls your remainder and will have to be somewhat forward, with your shoulders and upper body inclining forward toward the basket. Your shoulders ought to be relaxed.

Hand Position

Hand position is the most misunderstood percentage of shooting. It is critical to commence and finish your shot with your shooting hand facing the basket (behind the ball). Placing the non-shooting hand under the ball for remainder is likewise important. This position, with the shooting hand facing the basket (behind the ball) and the non-shooting hand under the ball, is called the block-and-tuck. It leaves your shooting hand free to shoot the ball, rather than having to remainder and shoot the ball. Place your hands somewhat close together. Relax both hands and disseminate the fingers comfortably. Keep the thumb of your shooting hand relaxed and not disseminate apart to refrain from tension in your hand and forearm. A relaxed hand position (like a handshake) forms a natural cup, enabling the ball to contact the pads of your fingers and not your palm. Place your non-shooting (balance) hand somewhat beneath the ball. The weight of the ball balances on at least two fingers: the ring finger and the little finger. The arm of your remainder hand will have to be in a comfortable position, with the elbow pointing somewhat back and to the side. Your shooting hand is turned toward the basket behind the ball, your index finger directly at the ball’s midpoint. The ball is freed off your index finger. On a free throw, you have time to align your index finger with the valve or other marking at the midpoint of the ball. Developing fingertip control and touch leads to a soft, precise shot.

Elbow-In Alignment

Hold the ball comfortably in front of and above your shooting-side shoulder among your ear and shoulder. Keep your shooting elbow in. When your shooting elbow is in, the ball is aligned with the basket. Some players do not have the flexibleness to place the shooting hand behind the ball facing the basket while keeping the elbow in. In this case, initial place your shooting hand behind the ball facing the basket, then move the elbow in as far as your flexibleness allows.

Rhythmical Shooting Motion

Shoot the ball with a smooth, evenly paced, rhythmical lifting motion. Shooting involves synchronizing the extension of your legs, back, shoulders, and shooting elbow and the flexion of your wrist and fingers. The basi strength and rhythm for your shot come from a down-and-up motion of your legs. Start with your knees somewhat flexed. Bend your knees and then completely extend them in a down-and-up motion. Saying the key words down and up from the begin of your shot until the release of the ball will trigger the down-and-up action of your legs, supplying rhythm and strength for your shot. Your legs and shooting arm work together. As your legs go up, your arm goes up. As your legs reach full extension, your back, shoulders, and shooting arm extend in a smooth, neverending upward direction. It is critical to keep the ball high with your shooting hand toward the basket. Use the down-and-up motion of your legs for rhythm rather than letting down the ball for rhythm. Keeping the ball high fosters a quick release and likewise provides less probability for error. As your arm goes up, the ball is tipped back from your remainder hand to your shooting hand. A good guide is to tip the ball back only until there is a wrinkle in the skin amongst your wrist and forearm. This angle provides a quick release and consistent follow-through. Direct your arm, wrist, and fingers straight toward the basket at a 45- to 60-degree angle, extending your shooting arm totally at the elbow. The final strength and control of your shot comes from flexing your wrist and fingers forward and down. Release the ball off your index finger with soft fingertip touch to impart backspin on the ball and soften the shot. Keep your remainder hand on the ball until the point of release. The amount of strength you must impart to the ball depends on the range of the shot. For short distances, the arm, wrist, and fingers provide most of the force. Long-range outside shots require more strength from your legs, back, and shoulders. Smooth rhythm and a finish follow-through will likewise improve long-range shooting.

Follow-Through

After freeing the ball off the index finger, keep your arm up and totally extended with the index finger pointing straight to the target. The palm of your shooting hand will have to be turned down and the palm of your remainder hand must be turned up. Keep your eyes on your target. Exaggerate your follow-through. Hold your arm up in a finish follow-through position until the ball reaches the basket, then react to the rebound or get into defensive position. Holding your follow-through until the ball reaches the basket is not only good mechanics, but it likewise makes you look and act like a shooter and increments confidence.

Edited from:

Wissel, Hal (2004) Basketball: Steps to Success, 2nd edition, Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL

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