Developing good basketball shooting skills can be challenging. Professionals make shooting baskets look easy, but getting the ball to swoosh through the net a high percentage of the time is difficult. Players can make huge improvements in their shooting ability by learning proper form and practicing. With the right techniques, just about anyone can see an improvement and make more baskets.
Step 1
Focus your eyes on the rim of the basket. Eying the target as soon as possible helps with shooting accuracy. Stay focused on the target, not the path of the ball after shooting.
Step 2
Use a proper shooting stance. The feet need to be shoulder-width apart with the shooting foot slightly in front of the other foot. Point the feet in the general direction of the goal and bend the knees.
Step 3
Move the ball into the shooting position, known as the shot pocket. The elbow should be tucked so it is in line with the shoulders. The shooting eye and ball should form a straight line toward the goal.
Step 4
Grip the ball so it rests on the finger pads. The fingers should be spread out to provide balance, with a small amount of space between the ball and the center of the palm.
Step 5
Place the non-shooting hand lightly on the side of the ball to keep it balanced.
Step 6
Shoot the ball by moving up from the shot pocket position. Keep the ball in front of you, and extend the elbow and wrist upward toward the goal. Use your legs to create force by straightening them into a jump.
Step 7
Follow through with the shot. After releasing the ball, the arms should remain extended, with the wrists relaxed and arched downward in the direction of the rim. Hold the follow-through position until the ball reaches the basket.
Step 8
Practice proper form by aiming for a target on a wall. This is a good drill to help focus on proper shooting form rather than making baskets.
Step 9
Practice shooting baskets once the proper form starts to feel natural. Start within five feet of the goal and shoot the ball using correct form. After making a few shots from this range, back up two steps and shoot again. Continue to increase shooting distance within a comfortable range.
Tips and Warnings
- The key to better shooting is practice. Practicing with proper shooting techniques will develop good habits and increase confidence.
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