Shooting is perhaps the most fundamental and important aspect of basketball:an accurate shot makes you a deadly offensive weapon on the court. To become accurate in your shot, you'll need to learn and understand the basic techniques of shooting the ball and how to get open for a shot. Proper technique will make you a valuable asset to your basketball team.
Square to the Basket
If your body isn't properly aligned, your shot is already doomed for failure. Body alignment always begins with your feet. If you can get your feet aligned to the basket, the rest of your body will usually follow. First, make sure your dominant foot – the foot on the same side as your shooting hand – is pointed at the basket as you prepare for your basketball shot. Place your other foot to the side of your dominant foot about shoulder-width apart. Square your body to the basket as you jump in the air to release the ball and you'll ensure a straight shot at the hoop.
Proper Hand Placement
Your natural instinct may be to place your shooting hand flat on the ball, but this creates too much contact that can cause the ball to push to the right or left when it leaves your hands. Instead, place the pads of your fingers on your shooting hand on the ball. There should be plenty of space between the palm of your shooting hand and the ball as you raise it up to shoot it. Place your non-shooting hand on the side of the ball lightly to help keep it from falling out of your shooting hand as you lift it up. Just as you begin your shooting motion to release the ball from your shooting hand, remove your non-shooting hand from the ball.
Backspin and Follow Through
Backspin is essential to helping the ball land softly on the rim if your aim is slightly off. To create backspin, flick your shooting wrist as the ball leaves your hand. Keep your wrist cocked and your arm up in the air, pointed at the basket, until the ball reaches the hoop. This proper follow through will help ensure the proper trajectory and spin on the ball.
Techniques to Get Open
When the defense is playing tight on you, it makes it difficult to get open for a jump shot. Two main techniques will help you get open and get your shot off. The first is a ball screen. Talk with your teammates and come up with a signal – such as a fist in the air – when you need a screen to get open. Watch the player guarding you and try to determine which direction he will go to get around the screen. Go the opposite way and get your shot off. The second technique is the head fake. A head fake will get your opponent up in the air, thinking you're going to shoot the ball. Once he jumps in the air, dribble around him and shoot your open shot.
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