A 10 step guide to making a great basketball shot
Great shooting skills are essential for any player who wants to be successful at basketball. A good shooter will have a high shooting percentage, which means they will make more baskets than their opponents. Even in a basketball game just for fun, the point is to score after all.Here’s my 10–step guide on how to perfect your basketball shot by building the right foundations. By following these steps, from finding a comfortable stance to following through on your shot, you will be on your way to becoming a great shooter!
1. Get in a comfortable stance
There are a few key components to a comfortable stance for shooting a basketball:
- make sure your feet are a little less than shoulder-width apart and pointing generally toward the basket, hips square on. Keep your back straight. You should lead with your shooting foot, usually the same side as the hand you shoot with. Your non-shooting foot is positioned slightly behind. The aim here is to get comfortable and balanced before your basketball shot.
- your knees should be slightly bent and your weight evenly distributed on both feet; you need to flex your knees for every shot.
- find your shot pocket, that’s the place you are going to hold the ball at the start of every shot. Hold the ball in front of your stomach, keeping your elbows close, and line up the ball and your shooting eye. Bringing the ball here and adjusting to a proper grip will help you maintain consistency.
2. Grip the ball correctly
Find the proper hand position for shooting a basketball: put your dominant hand behind the ball, placing your index finger on the air valve of the ball. Make sure you’re holding the ball with your fingertips and fingers, leaving a little room between the ball and your palm.
Take a few shots like this to get used to the centered feel of this position, then repeat the action without looking for the air valve. With enough practice, you will find it in the same spot each time.
This will give you the best control and help you shoot more accurately.
3. Focus on the rim, not the backboard
It is tempting to focus on the backboard when shooting, but it’s more important to focus on the rim to start. Looking at the backboard means you’re not really aiming at anything specific, and you’re more likely to miss. Instead, focus on a point on the rim and try to visualize the ball going through it.
Once you have mastered focusing on the rim, you will be ready for shots that use the backboard, such as layups and the bank shot.
4. Use your non-shooting hand to guide your basketball shot
Your non-shooting hand is there to help you control the ball and guide it when you shoot. Raise your arms so that your shooting hand is in line with the basket and your non-shooting hand is slightly above your shooting hand (this will help you maintain balance). Taking these steps will help you get into a comfortable, ready position for shooting the basketball.
4. Use your non-shooting hand to guide your basketball shot
Your non-shooting hand is there to help you control the ball and guide it when you shoot. Raise your arms so that your shooting hand is in line with the basket and your non-shooting hand is slightly above your shooting hand (this will help you maintain balance). Taking these steps will help you get into a comfortable, ready position for shooting the basketball.
4. Use your non-shooting hand to guide your basketball shot
Your non-shooting hand is there to help you control the ball and guide it when you shoot. Raise your arms so that your shooting hand is in line with the basket and your non-shooting hand is slightly above your shooting hand (this will help you maintain balance). Taking these steps will help you get into a comfortable, ready position for shooting the basketball.
5. Extend your shooting arm fully and straighten your knees as you jump
For every basketball shot, you want to extend your arm so you’re using a full range of motion. This will give you more power behind your shot and help you make the basket more often.
You add power to your shot by jumping at the same time. Your legs help propel the ball while your shooting hand pushes and releases the ball. Don’t aim to land in exactly the same spot, you will reduce tension by jumping slightly forward.
As your hips rise with the jump, lift the ball up to eye level, keeping your elbow in a straight line with your shoulder as you lift it. Aim for one fluid motion, turning towards your off-hand as you jump.
6. Flick your wrists at the moment of release when you shoot a basketball
Adding a little wrist flick at the moment of release can help you shoot more accurately. A flick of the wrist gives the ball extra spin and makes it more likely to go through the basket. Think of this as part of the follow-through, your arm should end up extended toward the basket with your hand loosely forward and your fingers extended toward the hoop.
7. Follow through with your basketball shot
After you’ve released the ball, keep your eyes on the flight of the ball. This will help you work out if you need to make any changes for the next one.
8. Relax and take your time when shooting a basketball
One of the most important things to remember when taking a basketball shot is to relax and take your time. You’re more likely to miss if you rush it. Instead, focus on taking a deep breath and taking your time to line up your shot. This will help you shoot with more power and accuracy.
9. Practice, practice, practice!
Practice as often as you can. In the beginning, it may feel like it is a lot to put together, but after a while, it will feel more natural. The aim is to practice the elements until you don’t need to think about the specifics of your stance, grip or releasing the ball. Mastering the basics will help you make a difficult shot more easily. It will increase your confidence for free throws, or shooting with one hand, and gives you a greater ability to score points.
10. Varying your shots
All of the above tips will help you perfect your shooting and build your confidence. Of course, there are many different types of basketball shots but they all rely on the basic groundwork above.
Practice from a range of angles and distances. Try short-range or long-range shots by heading to the free-throw line or challenge yourself beyond the three-point line. No matter which side of the basket you are on, or how far away, you should concentrate on the same basic form: stance, grip, jump, release, and follow-through.
Here are a few basketball shot types to know:
The Bank Shot:
This shot hits the backboard before going in the basket and it’s a good option when you’re being guarded closely and don’t have a clear shot at the basket.
The Hook Shot:
When you shoot the ball with a curved motion, using your off-hand to guide it into the basket you are taking a hook shot. It’s often used when you’re close to the basket and need to shoot over a defender.
The Layup:
A basic and commonly used basketball shot. It’s when you drive to the basket and then shoot the ball off the backboard and into the hoop.
The Reverse Layup:
A reverse layup is when you drive to the basket and then shoot the ball off the backboard, using your off-hand to guide it into the hoop. It’s often used when you’re being closely guarded and need to avoid a defender.
The Jump Shot:
The jump shot – shooting while you are in mid-air – is for when you are tightly guarded and you need to create space between you and a defender. For this basketball shot, you will need to jump higher than usual and extend your arms to shoot the ball.
The Three Pointer:
Shooting the ball from beyond the three-point line is a high-risk, high-reward basketball shot that can be the difference between winning and losing.
The Slam Dunk:
One of the most spectacular and iconic basketball shots. It’s when you jump up and dunk the ball through the hoop, using one or both hands.
Summary
If you want to improve your basketball shooting, there are a few things you can do. First, practice your basketball form as often as you can. Many players want to be great, but many players do not practice. The more you shoot, the better you’ll become at it. Second, focus on taking a deep breath and taking your time to line up your shot. This will help you shoot with more power and accuracy. Third, vary your shots by practising from a range of angles and distances. This will help you master the basics, increase your confidence and improve your game.
