Kristian Ferrell
Shooting a basketball is a critical skill to master in the game, and the release is a key part of this. The release is the moment when you let go of the ball, and it can be the difference between an airball and a basket. There are many factors that go into a good release, from grip to finger placement, and it takes practice to get it right. The guide hand, for example, is important in steadying the ball, but it should be removed before the shot to avoid pushing the ball off-line. The shooting hand should be underneath the ball, with the palm facing up and out, and the fingers perpendicular to the seams. The elbow should be in line with the shoulder, and the wrist should snap to create an arc in the ball's trajectory. The follow-through is also important, with the shooting hand resembling a swan at the end of the shot.
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What You'll Learn
The importance of grip
The first step to a good grip is finger placement. Your index fingertip, middle fingertip, or the space between them is where you should position your dominant hand. This will give you the best chance of achieving a consistent release. The fingers on your shooting hand should be perpendicular to the seams on the ball, and your palm should be facing up and out.
The guide hand is also crucial to a good grip. Its role is to support the ball until the shooting hand can fully get underneath it and support it by itself. The guide hand should not push the ball, as this will push it off-line. Instead, it should help to hold the ball stable in the shooting hand as the two hands lift it.
By mastering your grip, you can create more positive power in your shooting motion. This refers to any energy that is straight up and in line with the hoop. A good grip will allow you to generate more power and accuracy, elevating your game and boosting your confidence.
Practising your grip and release through drills is essential to making it feel natural. With a consistent grip and release, you'll be well on your way to becoming a great shooter.
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The role of the guide hand
The guide hand is crucial in ensuring the ball is stable before releasing it. It works in tandem with the shooting hand, which is responsible for the actual release. The guide hand should be positioned on the side of the basketball, with the shooting hand underneath, supporting the ball.
When the ball is at chest height, the guide hand can start to come off, but it may not release until a fraction of a second later. The shooting hand will then be fully underneath the ball and able to support it by itself. The guide hand should not interfere with the shooting motion, and its positioning should be such that it assists in the lifting motion without disrupting the shot.
The guide hand is an essential part of the triple-threat position, where a player needs to stabilise the ball. Without the guide hand, the ball would fall out of the shooting hand.
Practising drills can help players develop a consistent grip and release, which is critical to becoming a great shooter.
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Jumping and releasing
First, locate your target. Look at the net if you want the ball to go directly into the basket, or look at the spot on the backboard you want to hit if you're planning to bank the ball off the backboard. Your eyes play a crucial role in ensuring a good shot.
Next, prepare your body for the jump. Bend your knees and push off the ground, using your legs to generate power and propel yourself upward. As you jump, straighten your knees and lean your shoulders back slightly, keeping your body relaxed. Your feet should land slightly forward from their starting position to avoid tension in your neck and shoulders.
As you jump, bring the ball up and over your head. Your shooting arm should be fully extended, with your elbow in line with your shoulder. The fingers of your shooting hand should be perpendicular to the seams of the ball, and your palm should be facing up and out. Rest the palm of your non-shooting hand on the side of the ball to steady it until your shooting hand is fully underneath the ball and can support it independently.
Just before you reach the peak of your jump, release the ball. Aim your shooting hand at the basket and straighten your elbow, pushing your wrist so that the ball arches toward the basket. Your guiding hand should lightly touch your shooting arm just below the wrist, and then roll the ball off your fingertips. A proper release will result in a symmetrical backspin.
Finally, follow through with your wrist after releasing the ball. This is crucial for accuracy. Your shooting hand will resemble a swan after releasing the ball, with your arm arched toward the basket and your fingers pointed toward the hoop.
Remember, practice is essential. Drill these techniques into your muscle memory so that shooting becomes second nature. Practice from various angles and distances, using the same form consistently.
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Aiming with your feet
Foot Placement
Place your feet either hip-width or shoulder-width apart, depending on what feels most comfortable and stable for you. This will provide a solid base for your shot.
Body Alignment
Square your body towards your target, whether it's the basketball hoop or a specific spot on the backboard. Keep your shoulders back and avoid leaning forward. Your feet should be positioned in a way that allows you to jump slightly forward when releasing the ball, ensuring your shoulders remain relaxed.
Jumping Technique
Use your legs to generate power for your shot. Straighten your knees and jump upward, propelling your body towards the basket. As you jump, bring the ball up over your head, keeping your shooting elbow in line with your shoulder. This upward motion will add force to your shot.
Follow-Through
As you reach the height of your jump, release the ball with your shooting hand, aiming for the basket. Allow your guiding hand to lightly touch your shooting arm below the wrist for support. Follow through with your wrist, ensuring the ball arches towards the basket rather than moving in a straight line. This will help create a high arc, increasing the chances of the ball dropping into the basket.
Practice Drills
To improve your footwork and aiming, practice shooting drills that focus on removing the use of your legs. This will help you develop a higher set point and improve your upper-body shooting technique. Try drills such as one-arm form shooting under the rim, starting from a standing position and progressing to sitting and then laying down. Combine these drills with traditional shooting exercises to enhance your overall shooting ability.
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Practising from different angles
Understanding Launch Angle and Entry Angle:
The launch angle refers to the angle at which you release the ball from your hand. This angle, along with your release speed and height, determines the entry angle, which is the angle at which the ball approaches the rim. A steeper entry angle generally provides a larger margin for error as it increases the "target area" of the rim.
Experimenting with Launch Angles:
Players should experiment with different launch angles to find what works best for them. Taller players like James Harden tend to use lower launch angles to achieve slower-moving balls, which is known as having a "shooter's touch." On the other hand, players like Stephen Curry opt for higher launch angles to aim for a larger target area.
Practising from Various Distances:
The ideal launch angle also depends on your distance from the basket. As you move away from the basket, your launch angle decreases. For example, a two-foot shot from eight feet may require a launch angle of 72 degrees, while a free throw is around 51 degrees, and a three-point shot is approximately 45 degrees. Practise shooting from various distances to familiarise yourself with the appropriate launch angles.
Mastering the Fundamentals:
Develop a consistent technique for releasing the ball to fly in a straight line. This will improve your accuracy regardless of the angle or distance. Keep your movements simple and practice the basics: squaring your body, gripping the ball, raising it straight, releasing, and following through.
Visualising the Shot Line:
Understand the importance of arm and wrist angles during the shooting process. Visualise the "Shot Line," the path the ball takes from the moment it begins to rise. Different arm and wrist angles will create unique S-curves along this line, affecting the efficiency of your shot. Practise visualising and adjusting these angles to perfect your shot.
Remember, the key to mastering shooting from different angles is to practise consistently, developing a feel for the various launch angles required for different distances and situations.
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Frequently asked questions
Hold the ball from underneath and extend your arm straight in front of you. Place your dominant hand on your index fingertip, middle fingertip, or the space between them.
Square your body and grip the ball, raise it straight, release it, and follow through. You can jump slightly forward when shooting, but keep your shoulders back and relaxed.
The guide hand supports the ball until the shooting hand can fully get underneath it. The guide hand should then come off the ball, but it might not release until a fraction of a second later.
The fingers on your shooting hand should be perpendicular to the seams on the ball. When you snap your wrist, if your finger is parallel to the target line, it will remain on the bottom of the ball.
Practice shooting from many angles and distances, using the same form every time. You can also try drills that remove the use of your legs, such as one-arm form shooting under the rim.
