You need proper form to become a consistent basketball shooter. There are many styles of shooting, so there is no such thing as perfect form, but all consistent shooters follow some basic principles. You must have good balance, keep your eye on the target and have an effective follow-through. You also need to spend countless hours mastering your skill. Shooting consistency also requires repetition -- using the same form on each shot, no matter what your shot looks like.
Step 1
Keep your eyes on the target. Locate the basket early in your shot and do not take your eyes off of the rim. Maintain your focus on the rim all the way through your follow-through rather than following the flight of the ball.
Step 2
Square up and get in balance. Whether you are pulling up off the dribble or stepping into your shot after receiving a pass, your feet need to be shoulder-width apart and pointed at the basket. Stagger your feet slightly so your shooting foot is slightly ahead of your other foot. Bend your knees before shooting to generate power from your legs.
Step 3
Line up your shot so your shooting hand, foot and eye make a straight line to the basket. Catch the ball in the shooter's pocket, slightly above the waist. Line your shooting arm up with your lead leg, keeping your elbow tucked in against your side so that it brushes your ribs lightly as you begin your shot motion. Bring the ball up high enough to be able to see the basket under the ball -- this will allow you to keep your eye on the goal throughout your shot.
Step 4
Stay with your shot and follow-through. Keep your body going toward the target and try to avoid leaning to one side or the other. Don't start backpedaling down the floor until the shot has hit the rim. Keep your wrist floppy and extend your fingers toward the basket, as if you were trying to get cookies out of a cookie jar on top of the refrigerator.
Step 5
Practice using the same form until it feels natural. Consistent shooting requires repetition. Shoot thousands of shots, making sure your form stays the same each time to train your muscle memory. Shoot your practice shots at game speed so your body becomes used to shooting quickly.
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