Amanda Knapp
Flicking your wrist is an important technique in basketball, which can help you shoot with accuracy and precision. Many players struggle with the transition from pushing to flicking, and some even develop the habit of flicking with their thumb, which can cause the ball to spray left and right. To fix this, you can squeeze your thumb against your index finger or use a shooting strap to keep your thumb still. To improve your flicking technique, you can practice thousands of repetitions, starting with close-range shots and gradually moving outwards. You can also try isolating your arm and practicing the flick of the wrist, or use tools like the FlickGlove to improve your finger strength and muscle memory.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shooting technique | Avoid pushing the ball out instead of flicking it |
| Shoot with the flick of the wrist and momentum, not arm strength | |
| Avoid unnecessary jerky movements like twisting the body, fading backward, and to the left or right | |
| Avoid placing the thumb on the guide hand when shooting | |
| Avoid placing the hand on top of the ball so it's flat | |
| Avoid placing the ball on the palm of the hand instead of the fingertips when shooting | |
| Practice thousands of repetitions before the top of your jump |
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What You'll Learn
Avoid flicking with your thumb
To fix this, you can squeeze your thumb against your index finger on your guide hand, preventing you from shooting with your thumb. If this doesn't work, try taking your guide hand off the ball by about half an inch and shoot with one hand, keeping your guide hand still. You can also use a shooting strap to keep your thumb and guide hand still.
Another common mistake is having the ball sit on the tip of your thumb on your shooting hand. This position is awkward and forces the body to strain to hold the proper shooting form. As a result, your elbow sticks out too far. To be a good shooter, you need to be comfortable.
To improve your shot, you need to be persistent and focused. Your shot will likely get worse before it gets better, so keep the long-term perspective in mind. You will need to practice a lot at close range and then move outwards. Try arching higher and focus on shooting with the flick of your wrist and momentum, rather than your arm strength.
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Generate momentum with your legs
To generate momentum with your legs when flicking the basketball, you must start with the ball around your midsection. Push up and off the ground with your legs, pushing the ball up closer to your head. This upward momentum will help you redirect the basketball towards the net with a flick of the wrist.
The power of your shot comes from this lower-body momentum, not your arm strength. It's important to align your feet correctly before every shot to avoid unnecessary jerky movements that can make you an inconsistent shooter. Make sure you turn enough while in the air to align your feet properly as you land.
You can practice this technique by doing one-armed shooting drills, isolating your arm and forcing yourself to use mostly your wrist and forearm to shoot. You can also try lying down flat on your back, extending your arm straight up and ensuring your shoulder blades are pressed against the ground. This will help you focus on the flicking motion without worrying about the rest of your body.
Remember, changing your shooting form can be challenging, but it can pay off if you commit to practicing consistently.
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Practice close-range shots
Close-range shots are the easiest way to score points in basketball, so it's important to practice them. The most common types of close-range shots include the layup, the floater, the hook shot, the slam dunk, the putback, and the tip-in.
To practice close-range shots, start by getting comfortable with the basic technique. Make sure your feet are aligned correctly and shoulder-width apart, with your knees slightly bent and your back leaning towards the basket. The ball should rest on the side of your thumb, not the tip, to avoid straining your elbow. Practice shooting from this position until it becomes comfortable.
Once you're comfortable with the basics, it's all about repetition and consistency. Take hundreds of shots close to the basket, gradually moving further out. Focus on your form and technique, ensuring that your upper body movement is consistent for each shot. As you get further from the basket, use more power from your legs rather than straining your arms.
There are also different types of close-range layups to practice, such as the reverse layup and the finger roll. The reverse layup is useful when a defender could block a basic layup. To execute it, jump and shoot the ball on the opposite side of the backboard's inner rectangle. The finger roll is another variation where you roll the ball over the front of the rim with an underhanded motion, which is useful when you can't use the backboard.
Remember, consistent practice is key to improving your close-range shots.
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Avoid straining your elbow
Elbow positioning is one of the most important factors in developing a reliable and repeatable basketball shot. Incorrect elbow positioning can lead to inconsistent shooting, reduced accuracy, and an ineffective shooting form. Here are some tips to help you avoid straining your elbow when shooting a basketball:
Maintain Proper Elbow Alignment
Keep your elbow tucked in towards your body when shooting. This helps maintain control and precision, allowing you to generate power from your legs and core rather than just your arms. A flared elbow can lead to inaccurate shot trajectories and inconsistent accuracy.
Develop Strength and Flexibility
Incorporate stretching exercises that target the shoulders, triceps, and wrists to improve flexibility and maintain a full range of motion. Developing strength and flexibility ensures a smooth and efficient shot without unnecessary strain on the elbow.
Adopt the Right Shooting Form
Ensure your arm forms a 90-degree angle when shooting. This minimizes stressful twists and turns on the elbow joint. Former NBA player Brian Roberts recommends the "KISS" (Keep it Simple, Shooter) method for maintaining good shooting form.
Strengthen Your Forearms
Focus on exercises that strengthen the forearm muscles, such as wrist curls, reverse wrist curls, and hammer curls. This imparts stability to the elbow joint, reducing the risk of strain or injury.
Use Proper Equipment
Use a well-designed basketball that offers a secure grip and balanced weight, such as the Spalding NBA Official Game Basketball. This minimizes erratic shooting motions that can lead to elbow strain. Additionally, consider using elbow pads for extra protection.
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Focus on consistency
Consistency is key when it comes to flicking the basketball. Here are some tips to help you improve your consistency:
Firstly, evaluate your form and technique. Unnecessary jerky movements can make you an inconsistent shooter. Common issues include twisting the body, fading backward, or to the sides. To fix this, ensure your feet are aligned correctly before each shot, and pivot if necessary when receiving a pass or stepping into your shot off the dribble. If you use a hop, turn enough in the air so that your feet are properly aligned when you land.
Another common issue is placing the hand flat on top of the ball instead of down on the side with the wrist cocked back, which leads to pushing the ball instead of flicking it. To correct this, focus on keeping your wrist cocked back and the ball on your fingertips, not your palm.
Next, practice, practice, practice. You need to put in the reps to develop muscle memory and consistency. Shoot thousands of times from different distances, starting close to the hoop and gradually moving outward. You can do this by yourself against a wall or with a partner.
Additionally, try isolating your wrist and forearm by practicing one-armed shooting. This will help you focus on the flicking motion without relying on your arm strength. You can also try the drill suggested by a Reddit user: lie flat on your back with your arm extended straight up and your shoulder blades pressed against the ground. This isolates your wrist and forces you to focus on the flicking motion.
Finally, consider using tools like shooting straps or training gloves to help improve your consistency. Shooting straps can help keep your guide hand and thumb still, preventing unnecessary movements that affect your accuracy. Training gloves, such as the FNBX FlickGlove, can also assist in developing a feel for generating optimal backspin, which can lead to more consistent shots.
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Frequently asked questions
Most great shooters have some level of wrist flicking in their shooting form. Try to shoot with the flick of a wrist and momentum rather than your arm strength. Start with the ball around your midsection, push the ball up closer to your head, then use the flick to redirect that momentum up at an angle toward the net.
To improve your shooting form, you need to practice—a lot. Find a wall and shoot by yourself or find a partner to shoot with. Start away from the hoop and take thousands of shots. Once you begin to feel comfortable with your adjustment, take hundreds of shots really close to the basket and gradually move outward.
A common mistake is to have the ball sit on the tip of the thumb on the shooting hand. This position is awkward and forces the body to strain to hold the proper shooting form. To fix this, have the ball rest on the side of the thumb rather than on the tip. You can also squeeze your thumb against the index finger on your guide hand.
