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The sky hook shot is an iconic move in basketball, made famous by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who played for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 80s. The sky hook is a variation of the classic hook shot, which was reportedly first performed during official games in Eurobasket 1937 by Pranas Talzūnas. The hook shot is a one-handed shot where the offensive player, usually turned perpendicular to the basket, gently throws the ball using a sweeping motion of the arm furthest from the basket in an upward arc. The sky hook is a more advanced version of this, with the shooting arm extended vertically and high, with the ball released from above the shoulder. This guide will take you through the steps to shoot a sky hook shot, including the all-important footwork, and will offer some insights into why this move is so difficult to defend against.
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What You'll Learn
- Footwork: plant the inside foot parallel to the baseline, pivot on the non-shooting foot
- Arm technique: lock the shooting arm's elbow, extend the arm away from the hoop, release the ball with a snap of the wrist
- Head movement: turn the head to look at the target
- Body position: turn the body sideways to the basket, with the shoulders in a line toward the hoop
- History: the sky hook was perfected by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but first performed by Pranas Talzūnas
Footwork: plant the inside foot parallel to the baseline, pivot on the non-shooting foot
Footwork is crucial to executing the sky hook shot correctly and consistently. The inside foot (the left foot for right-handed shooters) must be planted parallel to the baseline. This is a critical detail to get right—if the foot is over-rotated and pointed towards the baseline, the shooter's shoulders will over-rotate, exposing the shot for a block. Conversely, if the foot is under-rotated and pointing towards half-court, the shooter will not be able to maintain proper balance.
The shooter then pivots on the non-shooting foot. In the classic hook shot, the non-shooting foot remains on the floor as the body is turned sideways to the hoop, with the off-shoulder pointing towards the basket. In the sky hook variation, the shooter jumps off the floor while extending the shooting arm high. This makes the shot even harder to block.
The sky hook is a one-handed, one-legged, sideways jump shot, and the footwork described above is a key element in its execution. The wide lefty step across the lane creates a barrier between the shooter's body and the defender, allowing the shooter to get a clean look at the rim.
The sky hook was made famous by NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who had the arm strength to give the shot some arc while spinning it off his middle and index fingers. This, along with his footwork, enabled him to shoot the sky hook whenever, wherever, and however he wanted.
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Arm technique: lock the shooting arm's elbow, extend the arm away from the hoop, release the ball with a snap of the wrist
The sky hook shot is a variation of the hook shot, a type of shot that is performed with only one hand. The shooting arm's elbow is locked into position next to the body, with the arm extended away from the hoop at a 45-degree angle. This is a crucial part of the sky hook technique as it gives the shot its characteristic arc. The shooting motion is then initiated by lifting the shooting arm up and over in a sweeping motion.
To execute the shot, the player must pivot on their non-shooting foot, turning their body sideways to the hoop with their off-shoulder pointing toward the basket. The shooting arm is then brought up and over the head, with the ball released from the fingertips with a snap of the wrist. This snapping motion imparts a strong backspin on the ball, which helps to stabilize the shot and improve its accuracy.
The sky hook is a difficult shot to master, requiring a high level of coordination and practice. It is most commonly associated with NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who perfected the shot during his time with the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1970s. Abdul-Jabbar's incredible height and arm strength allowed him to release the ball at a high point, making the shot extremely difficult to block.
The sky hook has evolved over the years, with the modern-day jump hook merging the classic hook shot with the jump shot. This variation involves jumping off both feet and extending the shooting arm vertically, with the ball released above the shoulder. While the fundamentals of the arm technique remain the same, the jump hook allows for greater height and distance on the shot.
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Head movement: turn the head to look at the target
Head movement is a crucial aspect of shooting a sky hook shot in basketball. Here are some detailed instructions for turning your head to look at the target:
When performing a sky hook shot, it is essential to turn your head and neck to look at the target, typically the basket or hoop. This action ensures that you have the necessary eye contact with the basket before releasing the ball. It is crucial to establish the right timing for the shot.
As you pivot your body sideways, ensure your head follows the movement, turning towards the target. This head movement should be synchronised with your body's rotation to maintain proper alignment. Keep your eyes fixed on the target throughout the shooting motion.
While the specific technique may vary, the fundamental goal is to gain a clear line of sight to the basket or hoop. This visual connection helps you aim and time your release accurately. It also allows you to assess the position of defenders and adjust your shot accordingly.
Additionally, when turning your head, be mindful of maintaining a stable shooting posture. Excessive head movement can disrupt your balance and coordination, so strive for a smooth and controlled rotation.
Practising this head movement in conjunction with the other components of the sky hook shot will help you develop muscle memory and refine your shooting technique. Remember, the sky hook shot is renowned for its difficulty, so patience and persistence in your practice are key.
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Body position: turn the body sideways to the basket, with the shoulders in a line toward the hoop
To shoot a sky hook shot in basketball, the body must be positioned sideways to the basket, with the shoulders in a line toward the hoop. This is achieved by first receiving the ball with your back to the basket. Then, pivot on your non-shooting foot, turning your body perpendicular to the basket. The non-shooting foot should be planted parallel to the baseline, ensuring your shoulders don't over-rotate and expose the shot to a block.
For right-handed shooters, the left foot is the inside foot and must be planted parallel to the baseline. If shooting with your left hand, your right foot would be your inside foot. This footwork is crucial in executing the sky hook correctly and consistently.
The body position for the sky hook is similar to the classic hook shot, which also involves pivoting on the non-shooting foot and turning the body sideways to the hoop. However, in the classic hook shot, the shooting arm is extended outward and away from the hoop, whereas in the sky hook, the shooting arm extends vertically with the ball released above the shoulder.
The sky hook was made famous by NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who had the arm strength to give the shot a high arc, making it incredibly difficult to block.
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History: the sky hook was perfected by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but first performed by Pranas Talzūnas
The sky hook shot in basketball is an iconic move that was perfected by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but it was first performed by Pranas Talzūnas during the official games in Eurobasket 1937. Talzūnas was a member of the Lithuania basketball team, which eventually became the champions.
The hook shot is a play where the offensive player, usually turned perpendicular to the basket, gently throws the ball using a sweeping motion of the arm farther from the basket. The shooting arm is extended away from the hoop and the defender on about a 45-degree angle. This is a one-handed shot, with the other arm held up to ward off the defender. The shooter must turn their neck and head to look at the target, and the ball is released from the fingertips with a snap of the wrist.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar of the Los Angeles Lakers turned this classic hook shot into the unstoppable "sky hook" in the '80s. Abdul-Jabbar was a member of the Milwaukee Bucks when the term "skyhook" was first used by the team's radio announcer, Eddie Doucette, who described the shot as "so high that it was coming out of the sky". The sky hook was a signature move for Abdul-Jabbar, who was proficient at shooting it from a much greater distance than most players.
The sky hook was a challenging shot to master and was known for its finesse and artistry. It required a wide lefty step across the lane, creating a barrier between the shooter's body and the defender. Abdul-Jabbar's height and arm strength also contributed to the effectiveness of the sky hook, allowing him to release the shot from a high point where it was incredibly difficult to block.
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Frequently asked questions
A sky hook shot is a type of hook shot in basketball. It is a one-handed, one-legged, sideways jump shot released at 11 feet, where nobody could block it.
To shoot a sky hook shot, the shooting arm's elbow is locked into position next to the body. The shooting arm is then extended vertically and high with the ball above the shoulder, away from the hoop and the defender, on about a 45-degree angle. The shooter must turn their neck and head to look at the target and the ball is released from the fingertips with a snap of the wrist.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the National Basketball Association's second-place all-time leading scorer, is known for his sky hook shot.
Footwork is very important in executing the sky hook shot. The inside foot (left foot for right-handed shooters) must be planted parallel to the baseline. The shooter pivots on the non-shooting foot and jumps off the floor while extending the shooting arm high.
The sky hook shot is difficult to block because of the height and arc of the shot. It also forces defenders to wait for the shooter to go up before they can react, giving the shooter an advantage.
