Andrew Pace
Shooting a basketball is a fundamental skill in the game, and while there may not be a single correct way to shoot, there are a number of techniques and tips that can help improve your accuracy and success rate. The shooting motion involves the whole body, from the positioning of your feet to the extension of your arms and the follow-through of your wrist. The power comes from your legs, and the rest is biomechanics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shooting stance | Square your shoulders, feet shoulder-width apart, shooting-side foot slightly forward. |
| Ball position | Hold the ball at waist level until you’re ready to shoot. |
| Targeting | Pick a target, whether it’s the hoop or a spot on the backboard. |
| Jumping | Straighten your knees and jump, using your hips and legs to propel yourself upwards and forward. |
| Shoulder position | Keep your shoulders back and don’t lean forward as you jump—aim with your feet, not your upper body. |
| Arm movement | Bring the ball up over your head, keeping the elbow of your shooting arm in line with your shoulder. |
| Hand movement | Your non-shooting hand guides the ball and keeps it steady, while your shooting hand exerts force and releases the ball. |
| Wrist movement | Straighten your wrist and push to make the ball arch. |
| Follow-through | Your guiding hand should touch your shooting arm below the wrist as you release the ball. |
| Drills | Practice dribbling with two balls, or try a combination of moves like dribbling, crossovers, and between-the-legs. |
| Dribbling frequency | Dribble every day and play as often as possible to improve your skills. |
| Ball inflation | Use an air pump with an inflation needle to inflate to 7-9 psi (pounds per square inch), ideally 8 psi. |
| Ball storage | Store the ball in a room with a regulated temperature, not outdoors or in a vehicle. |
| Traveling | Avoid taking more than two steps without dribbling the ball, as this is a traveling violation. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Foot placement
When dribbling, it is important to bend your knees and stay low to the ground. This makes you more explosive and gives you the ability to quickly change direction and attack the rim. It is also important to maintain a slight bend in your knees and spread your feet about shoulder-width apart. This gives you a stable base and makes it harder for defenders to get into your space and force you backward.
When dribbling with your dominant hand, it is recommended to take a diagonal step forward with your opposite foot. This is often at a 45-degree angle away from your body. Keep your dominant side stable with your foot planted on the ground and continue dribbling near it to prepare for the crossover.
If you are performing a between-the-legs dribble, you can step forward with your back leg to shield the ball and allow you to dribble forward. You can also try a hop step, where you quickly jump and shift your leg positioning.
It is important to be able to dribble with both hands. This means you can't be easily stopped by a defender overplaying your dominant hand. You can practice this by doing stationary drills and learning how to use your feet during ball-handling combinations.
Finally, when dribbling, you want to beat defenders with your feet and create separation. Try to move in straight lines and recapture a direct line to the basket as quickly as possible.
Stalking Jennifer: Who's Behind the Scenes of Basketball Wives LA?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Grip and hand movement
Hand Placement
When holding a basketball, place your thumb on the straight groove that runs around the middle of the ball. Position your other four fingers on the groove just above the centre groove. Your thumb should be comfortably spread out, and your fingers should be doing most of the work. Your palm may not even be touching the ball!
Drills and Exercises
To improve your grip strength, try the following drills and exercises:
- Face a wall and start with the ball in your left hand and your right hand touching the wall. Quickly switch by dribbling the ball behind your back to your right hand and then move your left hand to touch the wall. Repeat this drill as fast as you can.
- Practice squeezing the ball by squeezing your fingertips into it for a few minutes every day.
- Place your hand palm-down on a flat surface and spread your fingers out, trying to stretch your pinky as far as possible. Lift your hand off the table, keeping your fingers pressed on the surface. Press your fingers into the table and stretch your palm. Hold for 20 seconds, then switch hands.
- Stretch your thumbs by holding your hand palm-up and stretching your thumb away from your hand. Try to stretch it as far as possible, then stretch it in the other direction, attempting to touch the base of your pinky. Hold for 30 seconds to one minute, then repeat with the other hand.
- Perform push-ups on your fingertips instead of your palms. Get into a standard push-up position and hold yourself up with your fingertips spread out on the floor.
- Try towel grip pull-ups by wrapping two towels over a bar at shoulder width, then grasping the ends of the towels and pulling your chest up to the bar.
Guide Hand Movement
The positioning of your guide hand (the hand that is not your shooting hand) is also important. Hold the ball so that your guide hand is on the very side, with your fingers pointed at the ceiling when the ball is at the set point. From there, your guide hand only needs to move a fraction of an inch to be out of the way of the shooting motion.
The Cost of Basketball Shoes: How Much?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Body posture
To begin, get into a low, defensive stance. Bend your knees and drop your hips back slightly, as if you were about to sit in a chair. This will help you to stay mobile and protect the ball. Avoid bending at the waist, as this can be bad for your back and leave you unbalanced. Keep your back straight, and your shoulders square.
Your legs should be spread about shoulder-width apart, with one source suggesting a slight bend in the knees, and another recommending a deeper bend of 45 degrees. This stance will help you to be explosive and agile, and you can use your non-dribbling arm to protect the ball.
It's important to keep your head up at all times, so you can see what the defence is doing and where your teammates are. This will also help you to avoid stumbling forward.
When near defenders, you can also assume a lower stance, which gives you leverage and makes it harder for the defender to reach the ball.
Best Basketball Shoes: Who Has the Grippiest Soles?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Shooting motion
The shooting motion in basketball involves several components working together in a coordinated fashion. Here is a detailed breakdown of the shooting motion:
Foot Placement and Stance
Place your feet shoulder-width apart, or slightly closer together, with a slight stagger. Your shooting foot should be slightly ahead of your non-shooting foot, with the shooting foot on the same side as your dominant hand. For example, if you are right-handed, your right foot is your shooting foot.
Body Alignment and Posture
Get your body square to the basket, with equal weight distribution on both feet. Slightly bend your knees to generate power for the jump. Keep your back straight and lean forward slightly, maintaining a comfortable posture.
Ball Position and Grip
Hold the basketball in front of you, with your elbows bent and positioned under the ball. Your elbows should be in line with your shoulders, not flared out to the sides. Position the ball consistently in the same spot each time you prepare to shoot. Grip the ball with your fingertips perpendicular to the seams, ensuring your non-dominant hand guides and stabilises it.
Extend your shooting arm in a smooth, fluid motion, releasing the ball just before reaching the height of your jump. Straighten your elbow and push your wrist, giving the ball an arching trajectory. Avoid using your fingers to push the ball, and instead, rely on your wrist snap and leg power to generate force. As you release, your non-shooting hand should move away from the ball, lightly touching your shooting arm below the wrist.
Follow-Through
The follow-through is crucial in shooting a basketball. After releasing the ball, ensure your shooting motion continues in a natural flow. Your feet should not land in the same position, as it can cause tension in your neck and shoulders. Instead, jump slightly forward, leaning your shoulders back, which also adds more arc to your shot.
Halftime Breaks: How Long Do They Last in Basketball?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Practice and repetition
To begin, get into a low, defensive stance with your feet spread about shoulder-width apart. Keep your head up and eyes on the game, avoiding looking down at the ball. Use your fingertips to dribble, ensuring the ball doesn't roll into your palm, and maintain control. Focus on keeping the ball close to your body, bouncing it firmly at waist level or below.
You can also practice dribbling the ball between your legs, a technique that offers better ball protection and opportunities for misdirection. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and cross the ball under your hips in a "V" pattern. This move requires practice, so don't be discouraged if you don't master it immediately.
There are numerous dribbling drills you can incorporate into your routine, such as the "Maravich Drills" or the "Spider Dribble." Additionally, you can create your own drills to challenge yourself and target specific skills. For example, try dribbling the ball in a figure-eight pattern through and around your legs, experimenting with different heights and numbers of dribbles.
Remember, repetition is crucial. The more you practice these techniques, the more comfortable and proficient you'll become at dribbling a basketball.
Prestos: Nike's Basketball Shoe Staple?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Spread your feet shoulder-width apart, with a slight bend in your knees. Get in a low, defensive stance.
Hold the basketball with your fingertips, not your palm. This will help you get a better grip on the ball.
Bounce the ball off the ground firmly, keeping your hand on top of it and pushing it down every time it makes contact with your fingertips. Do not let the ball bounce above your waist.
Avoid travelling, double dribbling, and carrying. Travelling includes moving with the ball without dribbling, taking an extra step, skipping, hopping, or shuffling your feet. Double dribbling refers to dribbling with both hands simultaneously or dribbling, stopping, and then dribbling again. Carrying means catching the ball with one hand and then continuing to dribble.
Yes, there are many dribbling drills you can practice, such as the "Maravich Drills" or the "Spider Dribble." You can also work on dribbling between your legs, which helps protect the ball from defenders.
