Shooting is one of the most important skills for a basketball player. Shooting the basketball from a set position, a running layup or a jump shot, are all crucial skills for a basketball player to master. Developing a good basketball shooting technique will make you a consistent scorer and a threat to the opposition.
BEEF Technique
The BEEF (Balance, Eyes, Elbow and Follow through) technique is a good way to reinforce the fundamentals when shooting from a set position. Give yourself balance by placing your feet shoulder-width apart, with your shooting foot slightly ahead of your non-shooting foot. Your shoulders and hips should be pointing directly to the basketball hoop. Your eyes should be focused intently on the rim of the basketball hoop. When you release the ball, keep your eyes fixed on this target. Hold your elbow at a 90-degree angle with the ball slightly above your eyes. Hold the ball on the fingertips of your shooting hand, with the other hand on the side to support the ball. Shoot by straightening your elbow, and follow through by flicking your wrist to put backspin on the ball.
Layup
A layup is performed when you are in motion and do not have time to stop and set your position. Chicago Bulls star Luol Deng recommends to take off on your left foot and thrust your right knee in the air to give yourself height when performing a layup on the right hand side of the basket. Hold the ball high in the air with your right arm, and flick it up off your fingers with backspin for a layup. Aiming for the corner of the box painted on the backboard will lead to the ball bouncing back into the basketball hoop.
Jump Shot
A jump shot should begin with your hips and shoulders directly facing the basketball hoop. Take off from a balanced position and jump vertically before using the BEEF technique outlined above. Releasing the ball from the highest point possible will help if you are under defensive pressure.
Get Open
What a basketball player does before he gets the ball is an important aspect of basketball shooting. Your shooting accuracy will go down if every time you shoot you find yourself firing up contested shots under defensive pressure. Change speed and direction to lose a defender, look for open spots in the defensive zone to get open and let your shots go.
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