Basketball Shooting

Unbalanced Forces When Playing Basketball

Balanced and unbalanced forces are an essential part of Newtonian physics and an intimate part of our daily lives. An unbalanced force is defined as an object that is not opposed by an equal and opposite force. The result of this effect causes an object, such as a basketball, to accelerate in motion until it is stopped by a balanced force.

Featured Videos

All About Basketball Shooting

What Is an Arc in Basketball?

Shooters learn that varying the arc on their shot can help them shoot over the defense and hit long shots that appear quite difficult.

What Is the Clutch Factor in Basketball?

The clutch factor in basketball is something that coaches are looking for from one or two of their best players on a consistent basis. When a player has the ability to come through in the clutch, it means he has the ability to ...

5 Key Components of Shooting a Basketball

Picking up a basketball and launching it toward the rim is the easiest way to shoot, but it is not an effective method. You need to have the proper lift off the floor, which is the first step in becoming a dangerous shooter. On...

How to Get Kids to Improve on Layups

In beginning basketball leagues, the majority of scoring comes from making layups. That's because, even though kids are full of energy and eager to play, the success rate of making 10- or 15-foot shots on a basket 10 feet up in...

The Advantages of a Smaller Lineup in Basketball

Size is a factor in basketball that can regularly give a team advantage over its opponent. However, smaller teams can use speed, quickness, athleticism and decisiveness to gain advantage over an opponent. Teams may employ a sma...

How to Move the Ball in the Air for a Layup

The layup is a high-percentage shot in basketball and one of the fundamental skills on offense. Layups can be difficult because a player must penetrate the defense and possess the ball very close to the basket, where defenders ...

How to Break a Zone Defense

When a team has a strong inside attack with big men who can score or aggressive players who can drive the ball to the basket, an opponent will likely try to slow the attack with a zone defense. Clever offensive teams with effec...

The Effect of the Height of the Rim in Basketball Shooting

The NBA regulation basketball rim height is 10 feet. However, most baskets can be adjusted so you can play on a net that is higher or lower than 10 feet. By understanding how the height of the rim affects your shot, you can imp...

How to Defend Against a Shooting Basketball Team

However, when an opponent catches fire shooting from the perimeter, a defense cannot simply sit back in the lane to guard against layups and establish a rebounding position. Defenses must make the extra effort to take away open...

When Does the Act of Shooting End in Basketball?

When a basketball player fouls an opponent who is in the act of shooting, the officials will award the opponent free throws. For that reason, players and the officials need to know precisely when the act of shooting is over, ac...

How to Shoot a Basketball Consistently

No two jump shots -- or the basketball players who shoot them -- are exactly alike, but all players can improve the consistency of their jump shot by executing simple shooting mechanics. To get consistent results from their sho...

Finger Placement When Shooting a Basketball

The art of scoring in basketball starts with learning how to properly position your hands on the ball before shooting. Correct finger placement is essential for accuracy and can help you become a consistent scorer. The most con...

Ways to Shoot a Basketball With Your Fingers

In basketball, the shooter's fingers provide the needed spin and the necessary control. Basketball legend Pete Maravich advised shooters to control the basketball with their fingers and the pad of their hand. The goal, he said,...

How to Learn Basketball Shots

An effective shooter is able to perform each type of basketball shot well. A jump shot is useful when you need to shoot over a defender. A set shot is the most effective way to shoot accurate foul shots. A lay-up is an importan...

How to Shoot With Basketball Equipment

These equipment accessories range from shooting sleeves, to sweatbands, to small wristbands, all of which have a stated purpose but are often for looks. It is important for players to understand how basketball equipment is desi...

How to Get Better at Basketball Shooting

His message: even the greatest players miss a lot of shots, and in order to become great, you need to keep shooting. This applies not only in life in general, but also if you're trying to become a great basketball shooter.

How to Shoot a Basketball Like Lebron James

There is no one proper way to shoot a basketball, and many strong basketball players have shooting forms that observers criticize. Former professional basketball player Rick Barry says that LeBron James has technical flaws in h...

About Shooting a Basketball

To win in the sport of basketball, you must score more points than your opponent, and to score you must shoot the basketball. Basketball players must master the fundamentals of a few different types of shots that are used depen...

Fun Basketball Shooting Games for Junior High Girls

Effective shooting skills can mean big numbers on the scoreboard. Shooting games give junior high girls a chance to practice their shooting accuracy without the boredom of repetitive drills. Games can emphasize the basics of sh...

Common Basketball Shooting Mistakes

While much of your technique is habit, taking time to practice and make small changes to your form could result in a better shot overall. But you first need to diagnosis your shooting problems.

Exercises to Extend Basketball Shooting Range

The only ways to extend your basketball shooting range are to improve your form so that each shot is as efficient as possible and to strengthen your muscles. To shoot the ball properly, center one hand on the ball and let the o...

The Swish Method for Shooting a Basketball

Few sounds are more satisfying in the game of basketball that the swish of a net when the ball drops clean through the hoop. You need a fluid shooting technique and a lot of practice to regularly hear that noise. The "swish met...

How Will Shooting a Basketball Affect My Heart Rate?

Your muscles require blood and oxygen to do their jobs. The more you use your muscles, the more blood and oxygen your body demands from your heart. When you shoot a basketball, you use a variety of muscles that require a greate...

How to Shoot the Basketball Better

Getting a basketball into the hoop is not as easy as it looks. The diameter of a basketball is not much smaller than the hoop it wants to go into. Once someone has learned the basics of shooting a basketball they may find that ...

Basketball Shooting Fundamentals

Shooting a basketball into a basket from a distance is part mental, part physical. A study performed at the University of South Alabama in 1997 concluded that momentum in shooting is more than an abstract concept -- it proved t...

Steps for Shooting a Basketball

It is important that young basketball players learn the fundamentals of shooting the ball at an early age so that they can perfect the form. There is no one single correct way to shoot a basketball but there are some important ...

The Physics of Shooting a Basketball

Since anything that goes up must come down, most shots require some degree of arc in order to drop into the net. However, the physics of shooting a basketball apply before a shot is ever lofted toward the basket.

How to Shoot a Basketball in the Rim

Like the echoing crack of the bat for a baseball player and the crashing of pins for a bowler, the sound and sight of the net swishing is music to a basketball player's ears. On the other end of the spectrum, nobody likes the "...

How to Shoot a Basketball Like Kobe

Bryant's ability to get open on a consistent basis allows him to get open shot opportunities and drain them consistently. Bryant works on his conditioning to outlast opponents and his shooting technique to maintain consistency.

What are the Steps for Shooting a Basketball?

There is proper form for a basketball shot, but everybody has a slightly different jump shot based on their height, training and what feels comfortable. Even professional basketball players practice shooting hundreds of shots a...

Steps of Shooting a Basketball

While passing, defense and rebounding are all important fundamentals, there is perhaps no more important skill in basketball than shooting. After all, without accurate shooting, a basketball team won't score many points. If you...

What Is a Shooting Guard in Basketball?

Typically two guards, two forwards and a center are on a basketball team. The two guards are referred to as the point guard and the shooting guard. The shooting guard, as the name implies, is the guard whose primary responsibil...

Correct Form for Shooting a Basketball

Accurate shooting requires much practice, but also proper form. If you start off with bad habits, you will find it difficult to increase your shooting skills later. Focus on achieving perfect form before you attempt advanced sh...

How to Shoot a Basketball Like Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant is widely regarded as a premier shooter in the National Basketball Association. His shooting technique is flawless, his shot selection is superior to other players and his basketball mind and flair for the dramatic ...

Scientific Aspects of Shooting a Basketball

Shooting a basketball well requires the right kind of practice. Although the concept is simple -- launch the ball into the air so that it falls through the net -- incorporating knowledge of the physics involved in basketball im...

Anatomy of Foul Shooting in Basketball

Foul shooting can be one of the simplest yet most vexing aspects of the game of basketball. Also known as free throws, these shots can be overlooked in lieu of complex offensive or defensive strategies, but they often play a pi...

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, prefer...

Basketball Shooting Experiments

The shot is a transitory part of most player's basketball skill set. There will be days when you shoot the ball and everything seems to be going in. There will be other days when you can't seem to hit anything. It's important t...

Basketball Shooting Games in PE

Basketball shooting games in PE are designed to improve your jump shot as well as your overall shooting accuracy. They range from HORSE to 21. While many novice basketball players can develop their shots in full-court basketbal...

Basketball Shooting Games for Kids

Basketball shooting games for kids are designed to help improve their inside and outside shooting on the court. While many basketball shooting games are designed to improve your fundamentals and shooting consistency, they also ...

Basketball Shooting Activities

Basketball shooting activities are designed to help improve your jump shot as well as your low-post shooting ability. In addition to your perimeter game, basketball shooting activities will improve your free-throw shooting perc...

How to Shoot a Basketball Like Michael Jordan

Jordan is considered by many to be the greatest basketball player of all time and he had a unique style, athleticism and flair that will likely never be seen again. Many have idolized Jordan's game and duplicated his moves on t...

Basketball Shooting Methods

For as long as basketball has been played, new ways to put the ball in the basket are always being invented and perfected. From distances long and short, there is no one way to shoot the basketball. However, some methods are be...

How to Coach Shooting in Basketball

Because it's essential to scoring, shooting is one of the most important of all basketball fundamentals. As a coach, it's your responsibility to help players improve at all aspects of the game, but especially at shooting. Helpi...

How to Have Good Basketball Shooting Form

Good shooters can score when the game is on the line and help their team win games. Good shooting is the result of having good form when you release the ball and having the confidence to take the shot.

Basketball Shooting Workouts

To become a good basketball shooter, you need to practice the fundamentals of shooting. Only through repetition will you improve your skills and learn the basic forms, handling and follow-through required to be successful. Cons...

Fundamentals of Shooting a Basketball

The ability to shoot the basketball seems to be a lost art nowadays. With good shooters at a premium, it's important to learn and practice shooting the ball at an early age. An excellent grasp of fundamental techniques can serv...

Guide to Shooting a Basketball

Shooting is the dominant factor when it comes to winning a basketball game. All basketball players need to know how to dribble, pass and rebound in order to be complete basketball players. However, players who can consistently...

How to Practice Basketball Shooting

Through the years, many types of basketball shots have been created. They include the layup, hook shots, set shots, and the jump shot. A player who has mastered a variety of basketball shots is more effective offensively, and h...

How to Learn Proper Shooting in Basketball

Learning to shoot well will help any basketball player have more of an impact on the game. There are many factors involved in shooting, including conditioning, athletic ability, hand placement and technique. Improving your shoo...

Basketball Shooting Instructions

But while anyone can net the occasional jump shot, it takes a true dead-eye shooter to consistently torch the nets, especially in game situations, with a defender in your face and your leg muscles fatiguing. So if you're dreami...

How to Increase Shooting in Basketball

Increasing your shooting ability can make you a much more valuable player on your basketball team. Shooting the ball is about balance, hand-eye coordination, jumping ability and a smooth release of the ball. Once shooters learn...

How to Shoot a Basketball Field Goal

Shooting the ball is the most fundamental aspect of the game of basketball because without it, there would be no scoring in the game. Being able to shoot the ball well on a regular basis can make a player difficult to guard and...

How to Increase Basketball Shooting Percentages

Being an effective basketball player relies on many aspects, and shooting percentage is one of them. Footwork, dribbling and passing are important, but if no one makes any baskets, your team can never win. Increasing your baske...

Beginner's Guide to Basketball Shooting

There are many facets to the sport of basketball, such as shooting, passing, dribbling and defense, but none is so vital as shooting. There's always room on the team for a dead-eye shooter, because few players can consistently ...

Proper Shooting Mechanics in Basketball

Shooting the basketball is not a matter of great speed, strength or power. It is a learned skill that depends on intelligence, coordination and manual dexterity as much as it does overall athletic ability. Footwork, concentrati...

Basketball Shooting Help

Basketball shooting help can be beneficial to any basketball player. Shooting is the primary method of scoring in basketball and the only way to improve is by dedicating time and practice repetitions to developing your shooting...

Proper Basketball Shooting

Like most sports that rely heavily on fundamentals and practice, basketball is no different. Attracting loads of players, the sport is internationally recognized as one of the most popular in the world as well as one of the mos...

Equations for Shooting a Basketball

There is a science to everything. A mathematical equation can explain virtually anything you may want an answer for. In basketball, understanding the physics of the game can help you become a better shooter and player. Learn ab...

Basketball Shooting Training

The ability to shoot well is one of the most important skills a basketball player can have, and is particularly important for point guards, shooting guards, and small forwards because they spend most of the offense on the perim...

Basics of Shooting a Basketball

One of the fundamental skills necessary to play the game of basketball is the ability to shoot the ball. While no two people have a shot that looks exactly the same, the best jump shots have many of the same basics. These inclu...

Basketball Elbow Shooting

This shot is considered a mid-range jump shot and one that must be worked on by all players at all skill levels. Despite this, in-game elbow shooting is usually reserved for shooting guards and small forwards. You can improve y...

Basketball Shooting Secrets

Shooting a basketball successfully takes significant work for nearly every player. The greatest shooters in the game are often labeled as great athletes or natural shooters because of their great form and skill. However, these ...

Basketball Shooting Exercises

Although basketball is a team game dependent on ball handling, passing and defense, you can't overstate the importance of great shooting. Players who can shoot well will force the defense to make changes in the way it covers pe...

Keys to Shooting a Basketball

Good shooters have a certain confidence every time they walk on the basketball court. Some players who are new to the game seem to take to shooting quite easily and are productive from the start. Most players are not. Shooting ...

Types of Shooting - Basketball

Being a well-rounded player in basketball means not just working on your defense and ball-handling, but becoming a versatile shooter who can get the ball to the basket in a number of different situations. Depending on what the ...

The Steps to Shooting Basketball

Shooting the ball is one of the most fundamental aspects of the game of basketball. Without a proper and accurate shot, your team can't score points. Shooting requires mechanical skills that are learned over time until they bec...

Does the Angle You Are at Effect Your Basketball Shooting?

Good shooters do not just fire the ball at the basket. They set their feet, rise in the air and shoot the ball with touch and backspin. The type of shot is always determined by the angle of the shooter. The shooter has to adjus...

Strategies for Shooting a Basketball

Shooting is one of the most important skills a player can have when playing the game of basketball. Clearly there is more to the game than just shooting--dribbling, rebounding, passing and playing defense are also vital--but kn...

Key Parts of Shooting a Basketball Lay-Up

Shooting a lay-up is one of the most fundamental actions in the game of basketball. A lay-up is used by players not yet tall enough to dunk the ball when open on a fast break as well as players who find themselves close to the ...

About Shooting Basketball Hoops

Much goes into shooting a basketball. You must concentrate on the basket, have the right feel for the ball and be aware of where you are on the court. The best players are always honing their skills by practicing shots from spo...

The Steps to Shooting a Basketball

Shooting a basketball is a simple act, but even professional basketball players spend years trying to perfect the technique. Proper shooting form requires specific body positioning, from your feet to your head, focusing your mo...

What Muscles Are Used in Shooting a Basketball?

The muscles of the legs are in constant use while running, jumping and defending the opponent. The critical component of the game, shooting the basketball, primarily recruits muscles from the upper body as well as a few select ...

Basketball Shooting Skills

Shooting a basketball may only take a split second, but shooting it well takes many hours of practice. Many different elements go into a quality basketball shot, including body alignment, a strong jump and proper contact with t...

Basketball Shooting Games

Basketball shooting games, as well as being fun, are a great way to practice shooting the basketball. There is a variety of games that can be played with any number of players. These games are typically informal and played with...

Steps to Shooting and Good Basketball Form

While there is more to basketball than putting the ball through the hoop, such as ball handling, defense, passing and rebounding, shooting the ball well is one of the most important factors in the development of any player. Sho...

Basketball Shooting Tutorial

Shooting a basketball isn't as easy as just picking up a ball and lofting it into the air toward the hoop. A good shot has to be practiced and developed. You must always be aware of angles and distance from the hoop. The standa...

Types of Basketball Shooting

The highlight films are loaded with spectacular dunks and long three-point shots, but there are a number of shots that a good scorer will use to put points on the board. The jump shot, the bank shot and the hook shot are all im...

Kinds of Shooting in Basketball

The way to win a basketball game is to score more points than your opponent. To score, you must know how to shoot the basketball well. There are four main shot types in basketball: the layup, set shot, jump shot, and three-poin...

How to Improve on My Shooting Range in Basketball

While there is far more to basketball than just shooting--defense, rebounding and ballhandling, for example--teams that have confidence in their ability to shoot go into each game believing they have an excellent chance to win....

How to Improve Basketball Shooting

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 impr...

How to Teach Basketball Shooting

Shooting is one of the most important aspects of playing basketball. Playing defense, ball handling and passing are key aspects of the game, but teams won't win games if they can't put the ball in the basket. Shooting is as muc...

Component Parts of Shooting a Basketball Lay-Up

The game of basketball has changed considerably over the years, but the basic plays of the game are just as important today as they were back when. Learning the correct way to shoot a layup is vital to any young player with an ...

How to Score in Basketball

The key to winning basketball is team play. When you have five players on the court working together on defense, passing the ball, setting picks and running plays, you improve your chances of winning. However, if you have all o...

How to Hold a Basketball When Shooting

The art of shooting a basketball has been instructed in a variety of ways during the sport's existence, but how to hold a basketball when shooting has largely remained the same. While it takes concentration and skill to actuall...

How to Get Better at Shooting the Basketball at Home

Shooting is one of the fundamentals of basketball, and the best way to improve your shot is to practice a lot. But not everyone has the good fortune to have convenient access to a basketball court or some other basketball pract...

Muscles Used in Shooting a Basketball

You also have to make quick decisions, and make them while you are dribbling and weaving around defenders. When you find an opening and it comes time to plant your feet and shoot the basketball, numerous muscles are being used.

Proper Way to Shoot a Basketball

Many basketball players, particularly younger ones, like to think creatively when shooting the basketball. Many of these unorthodox shots include fancy layups, fadeaways, running jumpers and hook shots. While these maneuvers ha...

Proper Form for Shooting a Basketball

Proper shooting form in basketball comes with practice. Many children start playing basketball before they have the strength to shoot the ball properly, which results in a shooting form that tends to derive its energy from the ...

Basic Basketball Shooting Skills

Skipping over foundational, basic basketball shooting skills can lead to the development of improper form, which can be difficult to "unlearn." Developing proper form, then perfecting it on the court (where mental toughness is ...

Ways to Improve Your Basketball Shooting

Shooting the basketball well is a goal every coach has for his team. Some teams are loaded with shooters who can hit open jumpers, while other teams struggle to hit any shot outside of a layup. Teaching proper form and having y...

Basketball Shooting Rules

Scoring in basketball means shooting. It behooves the aspiring basketball player, therefore, to learn all the rules pertaining to shooting--and scoring. Generally speaking, learning basketball shooting rules should not be a dif...

How To Teach Children To Shoot Basketball

Basketball can be played in the driveway or the backyard, making it convenient for parents. Early on, children should learn proper basketball fundamentals so they can develop correct form early on--and not have to "unlearn" lat...

How to Shoot Basketball Hoops

Basketball uses simple mechanics to give the ball proper spin and arc as it travels toward the hoop. Many people wrongly assume that shooting a basketball is done with your arms, but most of the power is derived from the legs a...

Different Ways of Shooting a Basketball

One reason basketball is so exciting is because it's a high scoring game. The game is even more exciting because there is such a variety of shots that can be used to score. This list includes instructions on how to perform the ...

How Do the Laws of Motion Apply to Basketball?

When a player shoots, it would appear that there is nothing to obstruct the basketball. However, several external forces are acting upon the ball. Were it not for these forces, the ball would continue to travel in the direction...