Saoirse Downs
Teaching basketball shooting techniques is a complex task, as it involves a lot of different factors. It is important to teach the correct form and technique, and to ensure that players are comfortable and confident in their shooting abilities. This involves teaching them the basics of stance, elbow and hand positioning, and how to follow through on their shots. While there is no single correct target to focus on, it is important that players learn to locate a target and keep their eyes on it. Additionally, coaches should emphasise the importance of practice and patience, as mastering shooting technique takes time and consistency.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Stance | Feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, right foot slightly forward if right-handed, weight on balls of feet |
| Elbow Position | In line with the shoulder, not directly under the ball |
| Hand Position | Left hand on the side on the line, right hand holding the back of the ball firmly in place if right-handed, fingers spread comfortably wide and perpendicular to the seams in the ball |
| Set Point | Ball positioned at forehead height or higher, slightly to the right of the face if right-handed and shooting with shoulders and feet square to the hoop |
| Target | Center of the front or back of the rim, first loop in the net, entire hoop, or a spot on the backboard |
| Jumping | Jump slightly forward, leaning shoulders back, using legs for upward force |
| Follow-Through | Arm arched toward the basket, hand loosely cocked downward, fingers pointed toward the hoop |
| Practice | Start with form shooting, then practice in a game setting with scrimmages or leagues |
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What You'll Learn
- The importance of stance: shoulder-width feet, bent knees, and correct weight distribution
- Elbow and hand positioning: in line with the shoulder, with fingers comfortably wide and perpendicular to the seams of the ball
- Locating the target: focusing on a specific area of the rim or backboard
- The shooting motion: using the legs to jump and propel the ball, with shoulders leaning back
- Practising the technique: drills and scrimmages to improve shooting form and accuracy
The importance of stance: shoulder-width feet, bent knees, and correct weight distribution
When teaching someone how to shoot a basketball, it's important to remember that it takes time to develop good technique. Coaches should focus on teaching players the correct form and use shooting technique drills in practice.
A proper stance is crucial to increasing your shooting percentage. The stance creates a solid foundation for your shot, and it should be the same for all shots, whether shooting a jumper, a free shot, or from beyond the three-point line. Consistency is key, and consistency starts with the feet.
To begin, start with your feet together and slide the foot opposite your shooting side back until the toes are even with the arch of your shooting foot. For right-handed shooters, this means sliding the left foot back. Then, space your feet so that they are shoulder-width apart. This will ensure that your base is balanced and stable. If your base is too narrow, you will have poor balance and a limited range of motion. If your base is too wide, you won't have the quickness or explosiveness needed to get your shot off.
The lead foot, or shooting foot, is the foot on the same side that you shoot the ball with. For right-handed shooters, this is the right foot. The toes of the lead foot should point toward the target, creating a shot line where the toe, knee, hip, elbow, shoulder, wrist, and basketball are in a straight line. This stance increases your shooting percentage and eliminates unnecessary movements.
Once your feet are in the proper position, you need to focus on bending your knees. This will give you better balance, more power, and more explosiveness in your shot. When you bend your knees, you should also bend slightly at the hips, bringing your head down so that your shoulders are in front of your feet and your head is in front of your shoulders. This stance will allow you to transfer force effectively from your lower body to your upper body, ensuring a controlled release of the ball.
In addition to stance, there are other important factors to consider when teaching someone how to shoot a basketball. These include the position of the ball, the target, the follow-through, and the use of the backboard. It's also important to practice in a game setting, as shooting during a game is different from shooting on your own due to factors like passes, steals, and strategy.
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Elbow and hand positioning: in line with the shoulder, with fingers comfortably wide and perpendicular to the seams of the ball
Elbow and hand positioning are crucial when teaching someone how to shoot a basketball. The elbow should be in line with the shoulder, with the fingers spread comfortably wide and perpendicular to the seams of the ball. This technique allows for a consistent release, which is key to becoming a great shooter.
When teaching this technique, it is important to ensure that players are not holding their fingers too close together. This is a common mistake, particularly among young athletes, as it can be instinctual to catch and shoot with fingers close together. However, this reduces control when putting up a shot. Therefore, coaches should emphasise the importance of spreading the fingers wide.
To achieve the optimal grip and release, the elbow can be used as a cue to get the fingers into the correct alignment. For right-handed shooters, it is natural to let the elbow relax outward, which can cause the fingers to come out of alignment. Similarly, having the elbow "too far in" can also cause misalignment. Thus, coaches should instruct players to focus on getting their shooting hand into the correct position, with the fingers of the shooting hand parallel to the target line, before focusing on removing the guide hand from the ball.
By following these instructions, players will be able to achieve the correct elbow and hand positioning, which is essential for developing a consistent and effective shooting technique.
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Locating the target: focusing on a specific area of the rim or backboard
When shooting a basketball, aiming is critical to accuracy and success. Players should focus on a specific area of the rim or backboard rather than just the general hoop. This refined focus will increase the likelihood of making a shot.
There are several schools of thought on which specific area to focus on. Some coaches recommend aiming for the front of the rim. This is because it can be located quickly, and players will not shoot it short. However, if the player hits this target, they will miss the shot short. Therefore, some coaches suggest aiming just above the front of the rim, so the ball goes over and into the basket.
Another popular option is to aim for the back of the rim. This technique is often taught by coaches as it can result in a higher percentage of successful shots. If the ball is shot with good backspin and is on target, it will hit the rim and drop back into the basket.
Some coaches also recommend aiming for the middle of the basket as it is a bigger target, so there is more room for error. However, this approach can lead to inconsistent shooting.
Other targets include the first loop in the net, the entire hoop, or the top corner of the square on the backboard.
Ultimately, determining what to aim for is a matter of personal preference and skill level. Players should experiment with different targets to refine their shooting technique and achieve better results.
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The shooting motion: using the legs to jump and propel the ball, with shoulders leaning back
The shooting motion is a complex process that requires the coordination of multiple muscle groups and body parts. When teaching the shooting motion, it is important to focus on the role of the legs in jumping and propelling the ball, while also ensuring that the shoulders are leaning back.
The legs play a crucial role in generating power and height for the jump shot. The quadriceps extend the knees during the jump, while the hamstrings assist with bending the knees and stabilising the legs. The gluteus maximus provides power to the jump by extending the hips. Additionally, the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles contribute to pushing off the ground and extending the ankles.
To maximise the height of the jump, players should focus on coordinating the movement of their legs, torso, and arms. This involves straightening the knees and jumping upwards while simultaneously using the shooting hand to launch the ball. It is important to note that the legs should not extend immediately. The player should wait until the ball reaches the set position before extending their legs and jumping, creating a fluid motion.
The shoulders should be leaning back during the shooting motion to maintain balance and reduce tension in the neck and shoulders. This lean back also helps to increase the release height of the ball, which can lead to a higher success rate. Additionally, players should avoid landing in the same position as they started, as it can cause tension in the neck and shoulders.
Practising the shooting motion with proper form and technique is essential for developing muscle memory and consistency. Coaches should focus on teaching correct form, using shooting technique drills, and providing individualised feedback to their players. By mastering the shooting motion, players can improve their accuracy, increase their success rate, and reduce the risk of injuries.
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Practising the technique: drills and scrimmages to improve shooting form and accuracy
Drills are an essential part of improving shooting form and accuracy. For beginners, it is important to start with the proper ball size and lower goal heights. Start with easier shots closer to the basket and work on shooting technique before building out your range. Focus on the full shot routine, ensuring that each shot is executed with the best form. Ensure your fingers are spread comfortably wide on the basketball – this will give you more control.
Drills should be practised a few times a week to see results. You can also incorporate scrimmages into your training. These are 5-on-5 full-court games during practice, which can be unstructured or structured, depending on the coach's preference. Coaches can blow the whistle frequently to make corrections, or allow the game to flow with minimal stoppages. Scrimmages can be played in 4-minute intervals, with breaks in between to do a shooting drill or reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of the session.
To improve shooting accuracy, you can work on ways to locate your target faster. You can also work on all net shots, making your target smaller and learning where to focus your eye line. There isn't one 'correct' target to focus on – it could be the centre of the front or back of the rim, the first loop in the net, or the whole hoop. Find what works for you and be consistent.
For more advanced players, it is still important to do the "boring" form shooting drills every day to stay consistent. You can also add shooting progressions to your workouts, such as using a 1-2 step to teach the proper rhythm and coordination of the entire shot motion before progressing to drills with game shots.
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