Kristian Ferrell
The chicken wing is a common issue in basketball, where the elbow of the shooting arm flares out, causing slower and less accurate shots. It can be caused by improper hip alignment or protecting the ball while dribbling. To fix this, players can try drills such as lying on their back and shooting the ball straight up, focusing on keeping their elbow straight. They should also ensure their shot path is straight and not angled, and that their body is not leaning to one side. Fixing the chicken wing requires dedication to the new shooting form and consistent practice.
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What You'll Learn
Keep your elbow under the ball
Keeping your elbow under the ball when shooting a basketball is crucial for developing a consistent and accurate shot. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:
First, understand the concept of the "shooting pocket". The shooting pocket is the place where a player should bring the ball prior to taking a shot. It is on the player's strong side, and the ball should be up around the shoulder area. When the ball is in the shooting pocket, there should be a foot-knee-elbow-ball alignment, with the shooting hand and elbow underneath the basketball. This alignment ensures that the ball will travel straight towards the basket, increasing the likelihood of making the shot.
To achieve the correct elbow position, focus on keeping your elbow tucked in during the shooting motion. Your shooting hand should remain directly under the ball throughout the entire motion. One way to improve your elbow positioning is by reinforcing muscle memory through repetition. Practice the proper form, paying attention to alignment, and you will improve your shooting efficiency.
Another tip to keep your elbow under the ball is to avoid "dipping" the basketball. Dipping occurs when you bring the ball lower than the height at which you caught it. This creates more movement in your shooting motion, leading to errors and a slower release. Instead, catch the ball with your knees bent and legs loaded, then flow directly into your shot. This will help you generate power from your legs and ensure a smooth and consistent shooting motion.
Additionally, work on your follow-through. A proper follow-through involves fully extending your shooting arm and snapping your wrist forward as you release the ball. This reinforces correct shooting mechanics and prevents the elbow from drifting outward. Practising this technique will help you develop muscle memory, making it easier to keep your elbow in the correct position.
Finally, avoid shooting with your palm. Instead, keep your hand flush on the basketball, with a tiny space between your palm and the ball. This will increase your shooting percentage and give you more control over your shot.
By focusing on these techniques and practising regularly, you can improve your shooting accuracy and consistency, and eliminate the "chicken wing" from your shooting form.
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Avoid dribbling defensively
To avoid dribbling defensively, you must first understand the mechanics of dribbling and the tactics employed by offensive players. In basketball, the offensive player usually has the advantage over the defensive player. However, this advantage can be neutralized by sound defensive fundamentals and teamwork.
A key principle of defense is to keep the ball out of the middle of the court. This minimizes the offensive operating area and establishes helpside defensive support, eliminating any 1-on-1 offensive advantage. Defensive players should also be aware of the offensive player's arsenal of moves, such as jab steps, crossovers, and reverse pivots, and strive to counter them effectively. For example, when an offensive player overstrides during a jab step or crossover, the defender can take advantage of this and gain a slight advantage.
When guarding a player with the ball, defenders should attack rather than merely react to offensive actions. They should aim to pressure the ball handler, making dribbling and passing more difficult and increasing the chances of an offensive mistake. This can be achieved by getting in a low, defensive stance with feet spread shoulder-width apart, knees bent, and hips dropped back slightly. This stance helps protect the ball while providing mobility.
Additionally, when near defenders, it is advisable to dribble the ball to the side, forcing the defender to reach across your body to attempt to gain possession. This tactic also keeps the ball away from the middle of the court, adhering to the defensive principle mentioned earlier.
By understanding the offensive player's tactics, employing sound defensive fundamentals, and utilizing strategic dribbling techniques, defensive players can effectively avoid dribbling defensively and neutralize the offensive player's advantage.
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Align your hips
When shooting in basketball, you may get the "chicken wing" if your hip is not aligned properly. This is when your elbow flares out, causing your lead elbow to point up. To fix this, you need to align your hips properly.
First, check your posture. Make sure you are not standing too close to the basket, as this will cause your arms to be pulled in towards your body, leading to the "chicken wing". Stand far enough away from the basket so that your arms can hang directly below your shoulders.
Next, make sure your hips are aligned correctly. One way to do this is to keep your legs together, rather than letting one leg lead the movement. Try placing a small towel between your feet to help keep them together. You can also try popping your hips to the bar. This means that you should focus on pulling your hips to the bar, which will help prevent the "chicken wing".
Another way to align your hips is to get them higher off the swing. To do this, keep your legs fully extended rather than bending at the knees. Your legs are your counterweight, so give them more extension and purposeful motion. Practice descending slowly from a support position at the top to teach your muscles to navigate the transition point. Just be careful not to overdo it, as you can hurt your shoulders and elbows if they are not ready.
By focusing on your hip alignment and making sure your legs and hips are working together, you can help eliminate the "chicken wing" in your basketball shooting form.
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Straighten your arm
The "chicken wing" is a common issue for basketball players who used to be "two-hand shooters" when they were younger. It is caused by the elbow sticking out of the shooting arm, which makes for a slower and less consistent shot. The elbow should track behind the ball during the set-up and end under the ball during the elevation. This allows the player to shoot "up and then out" as their elbow extends.
To straighten your arm and fix the "chicken wing", try the following:
- Focus on your wrist and follow-through.
- Lie on your back and shoot the ball straight up towards the sky. To make the ball go straight up and come back down, you will be forced to keep your elbow straight.
- Look in the mirror and pose with your shot. Then, angle your feet and body so that one side is in front of the other. This will help you achieve proper alignment and avoid the elbow flare.
- Keep your lead underarm close to your chest. This will help rotate your upper body and keep your swing from being too steep.
- Take practice swings with your feet together to improve your balance.
- Be willing to hit the ground with the bottom of your club. Intentionally straighten your trail arm on your downswing by throwing a ball in your hand toward the ground. This will lead to better contact and flight.
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Practice drills
The chicken wing in basketball refers to when a player's elbow flares out to the side when shooting, resulting in an awkward-looking shooting form. This issue is commonly caused by a lack of alignment in the player's body, particularly in the hips and feet. Here are some practice drills to help fix the chicken wing and improve your shooting form:
Mirror Drill
- Stand in front of a mirror and pose as if you are about to shoot a basketball, focusing on the alignment of your body.
- Ensure that your hips are open and your feet are slanted or angled, with one side of your body slightly in front of the other.
- Adjust your pose until you achieve proper alignment, where your elbow remains tucked in and does not flare out.
- Practice this drill to improve your body awareness and develop muscle memory for the correct shooting form.
Back-Lying Shooting Drill
- Lie on your back and "shoot" the ball straight up into the air.
- To ensure the ball goes up and comes back down to you, you will need to keep your elbow tucked in and maintain proper arm movement.
- Focus on keeping your wrist straight and following through with the shooting motion.
- Practice this drill for 15 minutes at a time to reinforce proper arm movement and reduce the chicken wing.
Balance Drill
- Take practice swings with your feet together to improve your balance.
- By bringing your feet closer together, you will be less likely to fall forward and drop your head, which can cause the club to get stuck in the ground and lead to the chicken wing.
- This drill helps you maintain a balanced posture and improves your overall form.
Elbow Focus Drill
- Start your shooting motion with a straight lead elbow, pointing towards your target.
- Maintain the same elbow distance throughout the shooting motion, from the beginning to after impact.
- You can use training aids or practice swings to develop proper form and eliminate the chicken wing.
- This drill helps you focus on keeping your elbow straight and tucked in, preventing it from flaring out.
Through consistent practice of these drills, you will develop better muscle memory, improve your shooting form, and effectively reduce the occurrence of the chicken wing in your basketball shooting.
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