Saoirse Downs
Shooting a basketball is an essential skill to master if you want to play the game. While there are many different types of shots, the basic physics remains the same: power comes from your legs, and the rest is biomechanics. To shoot, grip the ball with your fingertips perpendicular to the seams, and place your non-shooting hand on the side of the ball as a guide. Align your feet, knees, shoulders, hips, and elbows towards the basket, and jump with your non-dominant foot to generate power. As you jump, your shooting hand launches the ball, with your wrists flicking towards the hoop to release the shot.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Foot position | No wider than shoulder-width apart, preferably closer together and slightly staggered. The shooting foot should be slightly ahead of the non-shooting foot. |
| Foot direction | Turned 10 to 45 degrees towards the off-hand side. |
| Body alignment | The shoulder, hip, and elbow of the shooting arm should be aligned with the basket. |
| Grip | Position the shooting hand so that the fingertips are perpendicular to the seams in the ball. The non-shooting hand should be placed on the side of the ball to guide the shot. Leave a little space between the palm and the ball to allow for an easy release. |
| Eye movement | Look at the target, whether it's the net or a spot on the backboard for bank shots. After releasing the ball, you may either follow its flight or continue looking at the rim. |
| Leg movement | Straighten the knees and jump, using the legs to propel the ball. Jump slightly forward, ensuring the shoulders lean back and are relaxed. |
| Arm movement | The shooting arm should be slightly bent and should thrust upwards as the ball is released. Keep the elbows tucked close to the body and straighten them after releasing the ball to ensure it is pointed toward the basket. |
| Wrist movement | Flick the wrist towards the hoop to release the shot. |
| Practice | Shoot daily, even for a short duration. Analyze your form and technique to identify areas for improvement. |
| Confidence | Confidence is crucial for good shooting. Maintain a positive mindset and don't let missed shots affect your self-belief. |
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What You'll Learn
Hand and finger placement
The index finger of your dominant hand should be placed in the middle of the basketball, with the fingers pointing directly toward the basket. This finger placement will help you to dictate where the ball goes. The middle fingertip, or the space between the index and middle fingertips, is also a good reference point for positioning your dominant hand.
The guide hand, or supporting hand, is of equal importance when shooting a basketball. It should be placed on the side of the basketball, supporting it but not overpowering the shooting hand. The guide hand should not be used to grip or grab the basketball, or to assist in powering the ball to the basket. Its role is to provide balance and control, and to keep your shot straight. The fingers of your guide hand should be spread evenly across the side of the ball, with no gaps between the hand and the ball, to create a balanced grip.
A common mistake is to allow the guide hand to drift away from the dominant hand, leading to inconsistencies in the shot release point. It is important to keep both hands in alignment throughout the shooting motion for better accuracy.
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Stance and foot placement
The first step is to get into a comfortable stance. Start with your feet together and then slide the foot opposite your shooting side back until the toes are even with the arch of the shooting foot. For a right-handed shooter, this would be the left foot. Then, space your feet so that they are shoulder-width apart. This will ensure that your base is not too narrow or too wide. A narrow base will hinder your balance and the range of your shot, while a wide base will make it difficult to get your shot off quickly and explosively.
Next, you need to bend at the knees and hips to get into a more athletic stance. This will give you more stability and allow your legs to act as shock absorbers. Push the arches of your feet into the floor to load your lower body and generate power. Your toes should be pointing towards the target, with your knee, hip, elbow, shoulder, wrist, and basketball in a straight line. This will increase your shooting percentage and eliminate unnecessary movements.
The shooting foot is the foot on the same side as your shooting hand. For right-handed shooters, this is the right foot. The toes of the shooting foot should be slightly ahead of the non-shooting foot. This is known as a dominant staggered stance and is the most common stance used by basketball players. It promotes a more accurate shot and gives the shooter a shorter distance to the basket.
The parallel stance is another option, where both feet are the same distance from the basket. This stance is less common but is still used by some elite players. It is said to promote the best chance of getting an accurate look at the basket. The cross-dominant stance, where the non-dominant foot is slightly ahead of the dominant foot, is not often taught by coaches and is not commonly used by professional players.
Ultimately, the most important thing is to find a stance that feels natural and comfortable for you. Practice your foot positioning and lower body alignment in front of a mirror, and focus on building muscle memory through repetition.
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Where to look
Looking at the right spot is crucial when shooting a basketball. If you want the ball to go into the net, look at the net. If you're aiming to bank the ball off the backboard, focus your gaze on the spot you intend to hit. Your eyes play a vital role in making a successful shot.
While there isn't a universally "correct" target, most coaches advocate for the "fork" method, where the index and middle fingers release the ball simultaneously. Some coaches, however, recommend that the middle finger should be the last to touch the ball. Ultimately, it's worth experimenting with different finger releases to find what works best for you.
When shooting, it's important to position the ball just slightly in front of and above your face, closer to the shoulder of your shooting arm. This ensures that the ball isn't blocking your view of the rim. Your feet should be set in the correct position—squared towards the rim, with your shooting foot (the foot on the same side as your shooting arm) about half a step forward.
To improve your shooting accuracy, consider recording yourself and analysing the angles of your body when you make a successful shot and when you don't. Programmes like Kinovea allow you to import footage and study your shooting technique. Additionally, watching tutorial videos by reputable coaches, such as Pistol Pete's "Homework Basketball Shooting" on YouTube, can provide valuable insights into perfecting your form.
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Generating power
To generate power when shooting a basketball, you need to use your legs. The power in your shot comes from driving upwards with your legs, so bend your knees and use a coordinated movement with your legs, torso, and arms to jump and shoot. Your shooting arm should be slightly bent and should thrust upwards as the ball is released with a flick of the wrist.
Shooting is a whole-body process, so you need to start with your feet in the correct position. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart, with your shooting foot very slightly ahead of your non-shooting foot. Your shooting foot is the same side as your dominant hand, so if you're right-handed, it will be your right foot. Your feet should be turned 10 to 45 degrees towards your off-hand side, and your shoulder, hip, and elbow should be aligned with the basket.
Jumping slightly forward will give your shot more arc, but be careful not to lean forward as you jump, as this will cause tension in your neck and shoulders. Instead, lean back slightly and jump in a natural, balanced motion.
To improve your power, you can practice shooting daily and analyse your technique. Record yourself shooting from different angles and look at the angles of your body when you make a successful shot.
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Practice drills
Elbow Pull-Up Drill
Stand about 10 feet away from the hoop or a target on a wall. Extend your primary shooting arm and hold the ball so that your elbow is level with your shoulder. This drill is excellent for guards who want to work on their shooting form.
Two Balls, Three Shooters
This drill involves three players, with two balls. Each player shoots from different spots, rebounds their shot, makes a pass, and relocates. This adds a game-like quality to the drill, as each shot is unique, just like in a game.
Weave and Shoot
Set up three cones near the halfway line for dribbling practice. Players weave in and out of the cones, pass to the coach, receive the ball back, and then shoot a variety of shots, switching sides each time they shoot. This works on dribbling skills, footwork, and shooting.
One-Hand Set Shot
This drill focuses on the technique of the one-hand set shot. Start with feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent. The non-shooting hand should be under the ball, with the shooting hand at the back, and the elbow tucked in. The ball should be held between the ear and shoulder. Extend the legs, back, shoulders, and elbow, then flex the wrist and fingers forwards, releasing the ball at the highest point. After releasing, point your fingers at the target, with the palm facing down.
Shooting Workout Progression
Start with shooting 10 shots from three spots, 3-5 feet from the basket. Make 8 out of 10 shots from each spot before moving on. Then, progress to shooting 10 shots from 5 spots. This drill helps to develop consistency in your form.
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Frequently asked questions
Your feet should be placed no wider than shoulder-width apart, with your shooting foot (the foot on the same side as your dominant hand) slightly ahead of the other. Your feet should be turned 10 to 45 degrees towards your off-hand side, and your shoulders, hips, and elbows should be aligned with the basket.
Position your shooting hand so that your fingertips are perpendicular to the seams of the ball. Your non-dominant hand should be on the side of the ball to guide the shot. Leave a little space between your palm and the ball so that it can easily roll off your fingertips.
Your eyes play a crucial role in making a successful shot. If you want the ball to go directly into the net, focus your eyes on the net. If you're aiming to bank the ball off the backboard, look at the spot on the backboard you want to hit.
