Ayrton Oneill
Fixing your guide hand in basketball is an important skill to master to improve your shooting form and overall consistency. The guide hand is crucial in stabilising the basketball until the shooting hand can fully support it, but it can often interfere with the shooting motion. The most common issue is when the guide hand flicks the ball with the thumb, also known as thumbing, which can cause the ball to veer off course. To correct this, players need to develop new muscle memory by repeating the correct technique thousands of times, ensuring the guide hand remains still and only assists with balancing the ball. This process can be challenging, requiring intense focus and dedication to perfecting the technique.
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What You'll Learn
Avoid thumbing the ball
Thumbing the basketball, or flicking the ball with your thumb on the guide hand, is a common problem that can seriously affect your shooting accuracy and ball control. This problem tends to develop 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 need to develop new muscle memory by practising the correct technique thousands of times.
- When gripping the basketball, ensure your thumb is spread out wide. This will give you better control of the ball.
- Place your index finger (pointer, forefinger) on the air valve of the ball, then place the ball on your hip so that your guide hand is free.
- Measure the distance from the tip of your index finger to the tip of your thumb. Then, compare that to the distance between the tip of your index finger and the tip of your pinkie. You'll likely find that 90-95% of the time, the centre of your grip is in the middle of your grip, and only 5% of the time is it in between the index finger and the middle finger.
- When shooting, tuck your thumb behind the knuckle of your index finger on your left hand.
- When releasing the ball, bring your guide hand to the wrist area of your shooting hand.
- Practise shooting without your thumb interfering, and then normally place it on the ball.
- Use a shooting strap to keep your guide hand and thumb still. This is an effective way to break the thumbing habit.
- Use the Shoot Natural™ glove to keep the thumb of your off-hand out of the way of your shot. This will also help you avoid putting too much pressure on the side of the ball with your off-hand, which can make your shot inconsistent.
- Film yourself shooting to check if your guide hand is quiet. You can use an app like CoachesEye to analyse your shot in slow motion.
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Use shooting aids
There are several shooting aids available that can help you fix your guide hand technique in basketball. These aids can help you develop proper shooting form and break bad habits. Here are some of the most popular options:
Perfect Jump Shot Strap
The Perfect Jump Shot Strap is a training device designed to keep your off-hand or guide hand from interfering with your shot. It targets the common issue of "thumbing", where the off-hand's wrist rotates forward during the shot, affecting shooting accuracy and ball control. By eliminating this interference, the strap promotes a true one-handed shot, resulting in straighter, more accurate shots. It is designed to be used during regular shooting drills to develop the correct muscle memory.
Wrap Strap
The Wrap Strap is another innovative off-hand shooting aid that instantly stops thumbing by preventing the off-hand from rotating. It ensures that only one force is applied to the basketball, resulting in better control and accuracy. The Wrap Strap is adjustable, comfortable, and suitable for players of all ages and skill levels. It can be incorporated into regular shooting drills to accelerate muscle memory development and improve shooting technique.
Smooth Shooter
The Smooth Shooter is a lightweight and comfortable training tool that targets the critical element of your release. It ensures that your off-hand isn't interfering with your shot, helping you build the muscle memory needed for a smooth, one-handed shot. While it is primarily designed for practice and workouts, the improvements made with the Smooth Shooter will carry over to your game performance.
Shoot Natural
Shoot Natural is a revolutionary basketball training aid in the form of gloves that address the common issue of "off-hand interference." It reduces the pressure and feeling in the off-hand, transferring that sensation to the shooting hand. This method helps train your brain on what a natural shot should feel like, encouraging proper shooting technique and creating real muscle memory.
BullsEye Shooting Aid
The BullsEye Shooting Aid helps position your shooting arm at a perfect 90-degree angle, smoothing out your shot and reducing the use of your shoulder. This results in more shots made and the development of a shooter's touch.
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Focus on grip and release
The way you grip a basketball is critical to achieving a consistent release. To improve your grip and release, you can try the following:
Grip Technique
When shooting, hold the ball so that the guide hand is on the side of the basketball with your fingers pointed at the ceiling when the ball is at the set point. From this position, the guide hand only needs to move a fraction of an inch to release the ball. This technique minimises the time and room for error. Additionally, when gripping the ball, ensure your shooting hand is wide, with your thumb comfortably spread out. Place your index finger on the air valve of the ball, and rest the ball on your hip to free your guide hand.
Drills and Exercises
To improve your grip and release, you can perform various drills and exercises:
- Shoot 50 shots away from the basket, focusing on perfect technique, including foot position and grip.
- Shoot 50 form shots at the basket from 4 feet away, taking your time.
- Shoot 50-100 mid-range shots, slowly moving away from the basket. Start from 8 feet away, and if you make at least 60% of your shots, move back to 9 feet.
- Finger squeezes: Squeeze a stress ball or therapy putty with all five fingers, then release. Repeat this exercise to strengthen your finger flexor muscles.
- Finger extensions: Place rubber bands or resistance bands around your fingers and spread them apart. This targets finger extensor muscles and improves overall finger stability.
- Basketball dribble drill: Practice various dribbling exercises, focusing on using your fingertips and pads of your fingers instead of your palm. This drill improves finger strength, grip, and control.
Equipment
If you are having trouble with the grip of your basketball, it may be due to the wear and tear of the ball. If this is the case, you may need to buy a new ball. For indoor use, the Wilson Evolution is recommended for grip straight out of the box. If you prefer a leather basketball, be aware that it will need to be broken in over a few months of use. To improve the grip of your current basketball, you can try using baseball bat grip tape or spray-on grip products specifically designed for basketballs, such as "Spin-it."
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Avoid over-assisting with the guide hand
The guide hand is a common source of errors in shooting, especially for young players. It is important to avoid over-assisting with the guide hand, as this can cause inconsistencies in your shooting. The guide hand should be used to assist in controlling and holding the ball, as well as keeping your shot straight, but it should not interfere with your shot.
To avoid over-assisting with the guide hand, it is important to position it correctly. The guide hand should be placed loosely but fully on the side of the basketball, with the fingers pointing up and no gaps between the hand and the ball. This position ensures that the guide hand creates no tension in your shot. It is crucial that the guide hand remains still during the shooting process and does not push, flick, or turn the ball, as this will affect the flight of the ball and create streakiness in your shooting.
One way to improve your guide hand technique is to use a J-strap, which forces you to keep your guide hand still and helps you develop new muscle memory faster. Additionally, focus on your grip with the shooting hand. The shooting hand should be spread wide and comfortably under the basketball, with the wrist bent backward, creating a "shooting platform". This position ensures that the ball rests on your fingers and finger pads rather than your palm, giving you more control over the ball.
Practising your shooting form is also essential to improving your guide hand technique. Take your time and focus on perfect technique, ensuring that your guide hand remains still throughout the shooting motion. Repeat this process thousands of times to develop new muscle memory and break any bad habits. Remember, keep it simple—simple movements are easier to repeat and perfect.
By following these tips and practising consistently, you can improve your guide hand technique and avoid over-assisting, leading to more accurate and consistent shooting.
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Practice a one-handed release
Practicing a one-handed release is a critical aspect of developing a consistent and powerful shooting technique in basketball. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you master this skill:
Understand the Importance of Hand Placement
The way you grip the basketball significantly influences the accuracy and power of your shot. The ideal grip involves positioning your shooting hand comfortably underneath the ball, with the ball slightly off the palm to avoid overstretching. This ensures that your fingers are in the correct alignment, parallel to the target line. By maintaining this grip, you prevent the ball from being pushed offline during your release.
Focus on Creating Positive Power
The goal is to generate positive power by coordinating the movements of your shooting hand and guide hand effectively. Avoid the common mistake of letting your guide hand push the ball offline. Instead, concentrate on using one hand to push the ball towards your target. This approach simplifies the motion and makes it easier to achieve consistent results.
Develop New Muscle Memory
To break any bad habits associated with your guide hand, you need to rewire your muscle memory. This involves performing thousands of repetitions with the correct technique. It's crucial to stay focused during this process, ensuring that each repetition reinforces the proper form. Using tools like the J-strap can help restrict the movement of your guide hand, accelerating the development of new muscle memory.
Practice Drills for Consistency
Start by shooting 50 shots away from the basket, focusing on perfecting your technique. Ensure your foot positions, grip, and shooting form are correct. Then, move closer to the basket and shoot 50 form shots. Gradually increase the challenge by shooting 50-100 mid-range shots, slowly moving away from the basket. This step-by-step approach helps you refine your one-handed release and build consistency in your shooting.
Engage Your Legs and Shooting Arm in Unison
Enhance the power and accuracy of your one-handed release by coordinating the movement of your legs and shooting arm. When the ball is above your elbow at the start of your shooting motion, your legs can still be lifting, providing additional force to your shot. Avoid "dipping" the ball or starting with a low set point, as this can cause you to release the ball before fully utilizing the power generated by your legs.
Remember, developing a one-handed release takes time and dedication. Stay persistent, focus on perfecting your technique, and you'll see improvements in your shooting accuracy and consistency.
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Frequently asked questions
The guide hand in basketball is responsible for keeping the ball stable in the shooting hand. It helps to lift the ball and ensures it doesn't fall out of the shooting hand.
If your guide hand is pushing the ball in any direction, it will push it off-line. This can cause inconsistency in your shots. You may also be over-relying on your guide hand if you feel the need to involve it during the release of the ball.
The guide hand should support the ball until the shooting hand is fully underneath it and can support the ball independently. This usually occurs around the set point. Keep your guide hand vertical, and ensure it doesn't put inward pressure on the ball.
Focus on developing a new muscle memory by practicing the correct technique repeatedly. You may need to adjust your shooting hand placement to ensure your wrist is directly under the middle of the ball. Try isolating your ability to hold the ball with just your shooting hand, and practice one-handed form shooting.
Yes, the CoachesEye app is a great tool that allows you to analyze your shot in slow motion. This can help you identify any issues with your guide hand technique. Additionally, consider using shooting aids like the J-strap to assist in developing proper form.
