Helena Frye
There are many factors that can cause your basketball shot to be long. For example, if you shoot at or after the top of your jump, it will take a lot more upper-body strength to get the ball to the rim. This is because you are not using the momentum from your legs to carry the ball further. Other factors include unnecessary jerky movements, such as twisting the body or fading backward, which can cause you to become an inconsistent shooter. In addition, the position of your thumb on your shooting hand can affect your shot, as it can force your body to strain to hold the proper shooting form. Finally, you may be lowering the ball or bringing it behind your head or shoulder, which can result in an inconsistent follow-through and cause you to miss long.
Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Upper body strength | If you shoot at or after the top of your shot, it takes a lot more upper body strength to get the ball to the rim. |
| Momentum | If you shoot as you are going up, the momentum from your legs helps carry the ball farther. |
| Repetition | You need thousands of repetitions shooting the basketball before the top of your jump. |
| Elbow extension | Incomplete and inconsistent elbow extension can cause your shot to be short or long. |
| Ball placement | Lowering the ball or throwing the ball is a fault that results from not using the down and up action of your legs for power. |
| Hand placement | The ball should be set on the shooting side of your head between your ear and shoulder with your shooting hand facing the front of the rim. |
| Thumb placement | The ball should rest on the side of the thumb rather than on the tip of the thumb on every shot. |
| Body posture | Poor balance can be caused by body posture or the position of the set point. |
| Footwork | Ensure your feet are aligned correctly before every shot. |
| Guide hand | Keep your guide hand extended in the correct position to prevent your torso from twisting. |
| Shooting form | To increase shooting accuracy from longer distances, it is important to have a consistent shooting form and to practice shooting from different spots on the court. |
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What You'll Learn
Inconsistent elbow extension
- Ensure your body is square to the basket: Position yourself with your body facing directly towards the basket. This alignment ensures that your arm, wrist, and fingers extend straight toward the basket during the shot.
- Set the ball high on the shooting side: Position the ball on the shooting side of your head, between your ear and shoulder. This starting position allows for a quicker release, reduced errors, and less chance of your shot being blocked.
- Emphasise the down-and-up motion of your legs: Utilise the power generated from your legs by bending your knees and extending upward during the shot. This leg action provides additional force and helps prevent the need to throw the ball with excessive force, which can lead to inconsistent follow-through.
- Maintain a consistent release point: Focus on releasing the ball at the same point in your field of vision for each shot. This consistency will help improve the overall consistency of your shooting form.
- Practice full elbow extension: Aim for a full extension of your elbow during the shot, similar to the form used by Steph Curry. This technique promotes consistency by ensuring that each shot has the same trajectory and arc.
Remember that improving your shooting form takes time and dedication. Be persistent and focused in your practice, and don't be discouraged if you experience setbacks along the way. With consistent repetition and attention to the techniques mentioned above, you will be well on your way to improving your elbow extension and becoming a more accurate shooter.
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Incorrect footwork
One common mistake related to footwork is improper alignment. If your feet are not aligned correctly, it can cause you to twist your body during the shot, resulting in an inaccurate release. To correct this, ensure that your feet are lined up properly before each shot. This may require you to pivot more as you receive the pass or step into your shot. Additionally, make sure your guide hand remains extended in the correct position to prevent unnecessary torso twisting.
Another footwork mistake is failing to use the legs for power. When shooting a basketball, the legs play a crucial role in generating power and momentum. If you don't use the down and up action of your legs, you may end up lowering the ball or throwing it with an inconsistent follow-through, resulting in shots that fall short or go long. To correct this, emphasize the down and up motion of your legs and focus on a complete follow-through until the ball reaches the basket.
Poor balance and posture can also impact your footwork and cause your shots to be long. If your body posture or the position of your set point is incorrect, it can lead to poor balance and unstable shots. To correct this, work on improving your stability and posture through drills and exercises. Focus on maintaining proper body alignment and core engagement during your shooting motion.
Lastly, incorrect footwork can be a result of shooting from too far away. Young players often struggle with this, as they may not have the physical strength to shoot from longer distances. As a result, they end up twisting their bodies or making unnecessary movements to compensate for the distance. To correct this, start by shooting from closer ranges and gradually increase the distance as you build strength and technique.
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Poor hand placement
To correct this, the ball should rest on the side of your thumb rather than the tip, so that more of your shots travel to the dead centre of the rim. You can also start with your body square to the basket and set the ball on the shooting side of your head between your ear and shoulder, with your shooting hand facing the front of the rim. This will enable you to shoot with your arm, wrist, and fingers going straight towards the basket.
Another common mistake is to bring your guide hand down too early, which causes your torso to twist. To prevent this, keep your guide hand extended in the correct position and make sure your feet are aligned correctly before every shot.
In addition, the position of your shooting hand on the ball can affect the spin of the ball. For example, starting your shot with your shooting hand on the side of the ball and then rotating your hand behind it will cause sidespin, which will make the ball hit the side of the rim and circle out.
To improve your shooting accuracy, it is important to have a consistent shooting form and to practice shooting from different spots on the court. You can also work on strengthening your upper body and legs through weight training and plyometrics.
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Lack of upper body strength
Upper body strength is crucial for basketball players, especially when it comes to shooting. The shot's range is a significant factor in determining the amount of upper body strength required. Longer-range shots, such as those taken at or after the top of your jump, demand significantly more upper body strength to propel the ball to the rim. In such cases, relying solely on the momentum from your legs may not be sufficient.
However, it is important to note that shooting a basketball involves a complex interplay of various factors, including technique, leg strength, and consistency in addition to upper body strength. For instance, shooting while on the way up during a jump can help leverage the momentum from your legs to carry the ball farther. Additionally, proper technique, such as maintaining a smooth and fluid shot motion, can also contribute to more accurate and consistent shooting.
While upper body strength is important, it is just one piece of the puzzle. The relationship between upper body strength and shooting accuracy is not fully understood, and other factors, such as technique and practice, also play a significant role. The current research on the topic has revealed no significant relationship between maximal upper body strength and shooting performance. This suggests that while upper body strength is necessary, it may not be the sole or primary determinant of shooting proficiency.
To improve your shooting, a comprehensive approach is best. This includes developing both upper and lower body strength through exercises like bench presses and squats, as well as focusing on technique, consistency, and repetition. By addressing all these aspects, you can become a more well-rounded and proficient shooter, capable of making shots from various distances and angles.
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Inconsistent shooting form
Another factor that can contribute to inconsistent shooting is the position of the guide hand. Bringing the guide hand down too early can cause the torso to twist, affecting the upper body's stability during the shot. To correct this, focus on keeping your guide hand extended in the correct position, and step towards the basket on the catch to utilise momentum. The position of the ball at the start of the shot is also important. If the ball is lowered or brought behind the head or shoulder, it can result in an inconsistent follow-through, causing shots to fall short or go long. To correct this, set the ball high on the shooting side of your head, with your shooting hand facing forward, and emphasise the down-and-up motion of your legs to generate power.
Inconsistent elbow extension can also cause issues with shooting accuracy. Ensuring complete elbow extension on the follow-through can help to correct this problem. Additionally, the set point of the shot can impact consistency. A set point that is too low can make it difficult to get the shooting hand under the ball, causing the hand to be forced onto the back of the ball as the shooting motion begins. This can be corrected by identifying a set point that is high enough to allow the shooting hand to get under the ball, while still giving the elbow room to lift and generate upward force.
To summarise, inconsistent shooting form can be improved by focusing on several key areas. Correcting unnecessary jerky movements, ensuring proper foot alignment, and maintaining the correct position of the guide hand can help to stabilise the upper body during shooting. Additionally, setting the ball and the shooting hand in the correct positions, as well as achieving complete elbow extension, can improve accuracy and consistency. Finally, identifying the optimal set point for your shots will help to ensure a smooth and controlled shooting motion. By addressing these factors, you can work towards developing a strong and consistent shooting form.
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