Much goes into shooting a basketball. You must concentrate on the basket, have the right feel for the ball and be aware of where you are on the court. The best players are always honing their skills by practicing shots from spots on the court from which they would normally shoot during a game.
Familiarity
As a player, it is difficult to walk onto a court and start making shots without practicing. Every rim, backboard and ball is different. Familiarize yourself familiar with each of these components. Some rims are flimsy, some are tight and others catapult the ball back to half court when the ball rebounds. Some backboards provide little bounce and others a great deal of bounce. Basketballs have different textures and grips. The amount of air in them also influences how they will bounce when they hit the rim or backboard.
Technique
To execute a shot, you must follow the basic principle of BEEF: balance, eyes, elbow and follow through. Keep your feet a shoulder width apart and your eyes focused on the hoop. Keep your elbow in and positioned at a 90-degree angle. Keep your arm pointed in the direction of the basketball once you have released the ball and followed through. Other rules to remember when shooting the ball include start on the balls of your feet and bend your knees when you take a shot. Only your fingertips should touch the ball. Keep your other hand on the side of the ball to keep it steady until you release the shot.
Legs
Always put your legs into a shot. No matter the type of shot, bending your knees and fully extending will provide you with more power. Jumping when you shoot will provide even more power behind your shot. You will have to use your arms less to push the ball toward the hoop and you will be releasing your shot from a higher position. There is less chance that your shot will be blocked.
Backboard
Use the backboard. Many basketball players do not use the backboard enough, but it exists for a reason. If the sole purpose of a backboard was to secure the rim 10 feet in the air, it would be significantly smaller. Instead, the backboard is there to provide support and assistance to a shooter. Practice using the backboard to find the best angles and the correct amount of power to sink a shot.
Aim
It is not always possible or advisable to aim for the backboard. If you're taking a shot from the sideline, using the backboard is not an option. If you're taking a shot from the 3-point line or from a distance far from the hoop, using the backboard is undesirable. When taking a long shot, you put more force behind the ball and it bounces hard off the backboard. In cases of poor angles and long shots, a player should aim for the back of the rim.
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