Improve Your Basketball Shooting Skills

A good basketball player has a consistently accurate shot, even under pressure. While the fundamentals of shooting are simple, reaching the point where the movements are natural takes time. Practice as often as possible, preferably with teammates. If you have access to a coach, ask for tips on how to perfect your shooting form.

Function

Learn the fundamentals of shooting correctly. Place the fingertips of your dominant hand on the ball, then place your other hand on the side of the ball to provide balance. Raise the ball to prepare for shooting. Align the bent elbow of your shooting arm with the net. Keep your elbow close to you. Push forward with your wrist, flicking it slightly at the end so your fingertips add backspin. Follow through by keeping your hand pointed at the net while the ball is in the air. Practice completing this sequence of movements until it is fluid and natural. If you run into trouble, watch professionals and note how they perform their shots.

Effects

Emulate game conditions as much as possible to increase your chances of performing the same during a game as you do during practice. Ask friends to join in and play defense. Set up garbage cans if you must practice alone. Place them at key points of the court and dribble around them and practice taking shots from various locations. Move the garbage cans outward as your skills develop so you can practice three-point shots.

Considerations

A flat shot has less of a chance of going in than a shot with a high arc. Practice shooting the ball high. Focus on getting swish shots rather than off the backboard or rim. At first, you might not have the strength to shoot a high-arcing shot, so start close, adding distance as your strength develops.

Expert Advice

If you train alone, use ball return equipment to make your practices more efficient. These are devices that send the ball back to you after each shot. Expensive models use machinery to send the ball back toward you. Inexpensive models are simple pieces of curved plastic that hang below the rim.