Helena Frye
A flat basketball shot can be incredibly frustrating for players, and it often occurs because the player pushes the basketball out towards the rim from their chest instead of shooting it up into the air. Fixing a flat shot requires persistence and focus, and players may even see a decline in their performance before they improve. To correct a flat shot, players should ensure that their shooting arm is raised higher, creating a higher arc in their shot. They should also focus on their wrist action, ensuring it is wrinkled and snapped upwards at the end of the release, with stiff fingers. Additionally, players should ensure they are using their legs for power and practice shooting from various distances.
Characteristics and Values for Fixing a Flat Basketball Shot
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Set point | Move the ball forward so that when you bring it straight down, the back of your shooting hand grazes your forehead |
| Practice | Reinforce your new set point by daily form shooting close to the basket |
| Rebuild shot | Rebuild your shot slowly by stepping back one step at a time as you establish consistency from a given range, using the new set point |
| Thumb position | The ball should rest on the side of the thumb rather than on the tip of the thumb on every shot |
| Ball position | The ball should be set on the shooting side of your head between your ear and shoulder with your shooting hand facing the front of the rim |
| Elbow position | The elbow should be under the basketball, and the elbow should finish next to the eyebrow on the shot release |
| Shooting hand | The dominant hand should be doing 100% of the shooting |
| Balance hand | The final two fingers to touch the basketball should be the index and middle fingers at the same time |
| Shooting arm | Raise your shooting arm higher when you shoot, putting a higher arc on your shot (45 to 60 degrees) |
| Body position | Keep your head and shoulders going forward and upward toward the rim as you follow through |
| Leg position | Bend your knees to load up on your jump |
| Jump | Jump up and forward to land at least 6 inches in front of your jump point |
| Ball release | Ensure a smooth release with no hesitation on the ball's motion as it comes from the dip to release |
| Wrist | Keep your wrist stiff at the end of your release, with a wrist snap that guides and shoots the ball upwards at the hoop |
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What You'll Learn
Ensure you're not relying too much on your upper body
When shooting a basketball, it's important to ensure that your upper body isn't doing all the work. Over-reliance on your upper body can lead to a flat shot, as you're pushing the ball harder towards the basket, which results in a flatter trajectory.
To correct this, focus on generating power from your lower body. Start by dipping the ball below your waist and bending your knees to load up on your jump. This will help you utilise the power from your legs to shoot the ball. As you jump, push yourself up and forward, aiming to land at least 6 inches in front of your starting point. The ball should be released at the top of your jump, with a smooth, fluid motion that doesn't involve any hesitation. Keep your fingers stiff and snap your wrist to guide the ball upwards towards the hoop, rather than flatly towards it.
To improve your shot, it's essential to practice persistently and be willing to take a step back to refine your technique. This might mean taking thousands of shots away from the hoop, and then gradually moving closer. You can also practice in front of a mirror or record yourself to identify any problems with your form.
Additionally, pay attention to your thumb placement. The ball should rest on the side of your thumb, rather than the tip, to avoid an awkward shooting position that strains your body.
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Avoid using your thumb to guide the ball
While it may seem like a good idea to use your thumb to guide the basketball, doing so can cause serious problems for the shooter. The ball will often spray left and right, making it harder to judge the distance and get the ball to the rim. This problem usually develops when players are too weak to get the ball to the rim, and the habit carries through their teenage and adult years.
To fix this, you can squeeze your thumb against your index finger on your guide hand. You can also try holding something between your thumb and index finger while practising your shot. For example, stand 4-5 feet away from the rim and practice shooting while holding a coin between your thumb and index finger.
Another way to avoid using your thumb is to focus on using your legs to generate power. The ball should move first, and then the body should follow. Start in a crouched position with the ball at the set point. Jump and simultaneously flick your arm, releasing the ball. The power should come from your legs and the shooting motion should feel effortless. Practice this slowly at first, and then speed it up until it becomes one fluid motion.
Additionally, you can try to "pluck" the ball from the basket. Pretend you are reaching into the basket to pluck something out of it as you finish your shot. This will help keep your fingers in sync and reduce your reliance on your thumb.
Remember, consistency is key. To fix any shooting problems, you need to be persistent and focused. Your shot may get worse before it gets better, but with repetitive practice of proper form, you will see improvement.
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Practice, practice, practice
Practice makes perfect, and this is especially true when it comes to fixing a flat basketball shot. Here are some practice tips and drills to help you improve your shooting form and technique:
Finding the Right Form
Start by checking your set point. Bring the ball to your set point and then bring it straight down. If your shooting hand lands on top of your head or the back of your head, you've got a bad set point. The correct form is to have the back of your shooting hand grazing your forehead when you bring it straight down. Practice this motion until it becomes natural.
Repetition is Key
Fixing a flat shot will require persistence and focus. You'll need to put in the work and repeat the correct shooting motion thousands of times to retrain your muscle memory. Find a wall and practice shooting by yourself, or find a partner and shoot back and forth to each other. Start away from the hoop and take thousands of shots from different distances. As you begin to feel more comfortable with your form, move closer to the basket and continue practicing.
Fine-Tuning Your Technique
Make sure you're not relying too much on your upper body when shooting. Bend your knees and use the power from your legs to add more force to your shot. Dip the ball below your waist before bringing it up with your shot. As you bring the ball down, bend your knees to load up on your jump. Jump up and forward, snapping your wrist to guide the ball upwards towards the hoop, not flatly towards it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Pay attention to the placement of your thumb. The ball should rest on the side of your thumb, not the tip, to avoid straining your body and throwing off your shooting form. Also, be mindful of your elbow placement. Your elbow should be under the basketball, finishing next to your eyebrow on the shot release.
Remember, it's all about consistent practice. Keep working on your form, and you'll see improvements in your shooting technique.
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Focus on your wrist action
Fixing a flat basketball shot requires persistence and focus. It is important to be aware of the finer details of your shooting form, such as wrist action, to improve your shooting accuracy.
The wrist action is a crucial aspect of shooting, and a flat shot can often be attributed to a lack of wrist snap. When shooting, ensure that your wrist is wrinkled, with your elbow under the basketball. As you bring the ball down, bend your knees to prepare for your jump, and simultaneously jump up and forward, also bringing the ball up to shoot. At the peak of your jump, the ball should be at the release point, with a smooth release and no hesitation. It is important to snap your wrist at this point, guiding the ball upwards towards the hoop, not flatly towards it. This wrist snap will give you precision and backspin.
To check if you have a flat shot, bring the ball to your set point and then bring it straight down. If your shooting hand lands on top of your head, you have a bad set point. To fix this, move the ball forward so that when you bring it down, the back of your shooting hand grazes your forehead. Practice shooting from this position until it becomes your new set point.
To improve your wrist action, you must practice. Take thousands of shots, starting away from the hoop, and focus on your wrist snap. Gradually move closer to the basket as you become more comfortable. This repetition will help you develop muscle memory and improve your shot.
In addition to wrist action, there are other factors that can contribute to a flat shot. Ensure that you are using your legs for power and not just your upper body. Bend your knees and use the momentum from your jump to carry the ball further. Also, be mindful of your elbow position. Your elbow should finish next to your eyebrow on the shot release, with a complete elbow extension on the follow-through.
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Keep your body square to the basket
Keeping your body square to the basket when shooting a basketball is a matter of personal preference. Some people find that shooting with their body square to the basket feels more comfortable, while others find that turning their feet helps them shoot more quickly and efficiently. Ultimately, the most important thing is to find what works best for you and to practice that form consistently.
If you want to improve your basketball shooting form, it's important to identify any mistakes you may be making. One common mistake is flinging your wrist or having a flat shot. To check if you have this problem, bring the ball to your set point and then bring it straight down. If your shooting hand lands on top of your head or back of your head instead of grazing your forehead, you have a bad set point. To fix this, move the ball forward so that when you bring it straight down, the back of your shooting hand grazes your forehead. Practice shooting from this position until it becomes your new set point.
Another mistake that can affect your shooting form is the position of the ball on your shooting hand. The ball should rest on the side of your thumb, not on the tip. This may feel awkward at first, but it will help improve your accuracy. To correct this mistake, you may need to have someone critique your shot or video tape it to identify the problem.
To improve your shooting form, it's important to practice consistently. This may involve taking thousands of shots, both close to the hoop and from a distance. Practicing with a partner or against a wall can also help. Remember that your shot may get worse before it gets better, so focus on the long-term improvements and don't be discouraged by temporary setbacks.
In addition to practicing your shot, it's also important to work on your lower body movement. Bend your knees to load up on your jump, and then jump up and forward, bringing the ball up to shoot. Transfer all the energy from your jump to the ball, and snap your wrist to guide the ball upwards at the hoop, not flatly towards it. This will help you shoot with more power and accuracy.
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Frequently asked questions
If you are missing a lot of shots, this could be because you have a flat shot. A flat shot occurs when you push the basketball out towards the rim from your chest instead of shooting it up into the air. This reduces the area of the hoop the basketball has to go through.
To fix a flat shot, you can try the following:
- Ensure that your shooting-hand lands on your forehead when you bring the ball straight down from your set point, rather than on top of your head.
- Bend your knees to load up on your jump, then jump up and forward, bringing the ball up to shoot.
- Keep your wrist straight and snap it at the end of your release, guiding the ball upwards at the hoop, not flatly towards it.
- Shoot with your head and shoulders going forward and upward toward the rim as you follow through.
Here are some general tips to improve your basketball shot:
- Practice, practice, practice! Take thousands of shots from different distances to improve your shot.
- Ensure you are comfortable and not straining your body when shooting.
- Make sure you are using your legs for power and have a complete follow-through.
- Keep your shooting arm, wrist, and fingers going straight toward the basket.
- The balance hand should release from the basketball, keeping it perfectly flat.
