
The bank shot is a type of shot in basketball that is considered old-fashioned and visually unappealing but highly effective. It is a difficult skill to master, requiring a lot of practice, patience, and coaching. The player jumps high and slightly backward to beat the defenders and uses the backboard to create the perfect angle to throw the ball into the hoop. The ball ricochets off the backboard and into the net. It is especially useful for inconsistent shooters, players having a bad shooting night, or non-shooters.
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What You'll Learn

Bank shot technique
A bank shot is a technique in basketball where the player shooting the ball aims for the backboard instead of directly shooting for the basket ring. The ball ricochets off the backboard and falls into the net. This technique is particularly useful for players who are inconsistent shooters or are unable to make regular jump shots.
To master the bank shot, players must learn to create optimal angles to shoot the basketball at, increasing their chances of making successful shots. The technique is considered challenging to learn and requires a lot of practice, patience, and coaching. It is also important to have a ""good touch"" and shoot the ball gently to master the bank shot.
Research has shown that the bank shot can be up to 20% more successful than a direct shot from certain areas of the court. These areas are typically within 12 feet of the basket, specifically the wing areas between the three-point and free-throw lanes. Additionally, shooting the ball near the corner of the backboard's inner rectangle can increase the accuracy of a bank shot.
To execute a bank shot, a player can start near the left or right side low post block. They can then jump high and slightly backward to beat the defenders and aim for the backboard. The player should shoot the ball off the backboard, towards the corner of the inner rectangle.
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Bank shot players
A bank shot is a basketball technique where a player uses the backboard to create the perfect angle to throw the ball into the hoop. It is considered one of the most difficult shots to master in basketball. However, it can be a game-changer if executed successfully. The bank shot is especially useful for players who are inconsistent shooters or struggle with regular jump shots. By using the backboard, these players can increase their accuracy and confidence in shooting.
Some of the greatest NBA players have been known for their mastery of the bank shot. Tim Duncan, a five-time NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs, is often regarded as one of the best bank shot players in the league's history. Duncan seemed to have a natural talent for the bank shot, and it was one of his signature moves on the court.
Russell Westbrook is another NBA star who has been known to use the bank shot to great effect. Westbrook's ability to bank it in from long distances, even out to the college 3-line, has impressed many. Derrick Rose, though not an MVP candidate anymore, also deserves a mention. During the 2016-2017 season, Rose shot at an incredible 70% accuracy on bank shots, leading the league in points from these shots.
Dwyane Wade is yet another player who has consistently relied on the bank shot throughout his career. While some may consider it an old-fashioned move, it has undoubtedly contributed to the success of these legendary players. The bank shot showcases the versatility and skill of these athletes, proving that they can turn any situation to their advantage on the court.
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Bank shot history
The bank shot is a scoring technique in basketball that has been used for decades. It is a shot that involves an offensive player shooting the basketball so that it makes contact with the backboard at a certain angle before falling into the rim. The bank shot does not involve directly shooting the ball through the basket ring. Instead, the ball bounces off the backboard and into the net.
The bank shot has been a fundamental move for many basketball players, including NBA Hall of Famers George Gervin and Tim Duncan. Duncan, a five-time NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs, was known for his signature bank shot move. Similarly, Gervin popularized the finger roll move, which does not require the use of the backboard.
The bank shot is particularly effective for offensive players who are inconsistent shooters or non-shooters. By utilising the backboard, these players can increase their accuracy and shooting percentage, making it a great tool to have in their arsenal. The bank shot is also advantageous in situations where the offensive player is guarded by a taller defender or is at an angle that makes a direct shot more challenging.
The effectiveness of the bank shot has been studied and analysed by researchers at North Carolina State University. Their findings, published in the Journal of Quantitative Analysis in Sports, revealed that the bank shot can be up to 20% more successful than a direct swish in certain areas of the court. These areas are typically off to the side of the straight-away area, where players can get a better angle at the backboard.
Practising the bank shot can help players become more consistent and confident in their shooting abilities. It is a valuable technique to have in one's basketball arsenal, providing an alternative option to the traditional jump shot or layup.
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Bank shot physics
A bank shot in basketball is a technique where a player uses the backboard to create the perfect angle to throw the ball into the hoop. The ball ricochets off the backboard and into the net. This technique is particularly useful for players who are inconsistent shooters or are unable to make regular jump shots.
The physics behind bank shots has been studied by researchers at North Carolina State University, who found that this technique can increase the chances of making a successful shot by up to 20%. They used computer-generated 3D simulations of over 1 million basketball shots to analyze the effectiveness of bank shots from different areas of the court. The researchers made a few assumptions in their study, including the height of the ball release, the size and weight of the basketball, and the amount of backspin imparted on the ball.
The study found that there are large, identifiable areas on the court where a bank shot is significantly more effective than a direct shot. These areas are typically within 12 feet of the basket, especially in the wing areas between the three-point line and the free-throw lane. The optimal target point for a bank shot is the crossing of a vertical axis located 3.326 inches behind the backboard and an aim line that is in the shooter's line of sight.
To master the bank shot, players need to create optimal angles, have good touch, and practice consistently. It is a difficult skill to learn but can be extremely valuable in turning a lost game into an exciting victory.
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Bank shot training
A bank shot is when a player uses the backboard to create the perfect angle to throw the ball into the hoop. It is a difficult skill to master but can be very effective, especially from mid-to-short range jump shots.
To train in the bank shot, there are a number of drills that can be used. For example, the 'No Line Rotation' drill, where players weave from half-court, ending in a layup by a wing player. The middle player rebounds the ball, outlet passes, and then the ball is back to the start. This is a fast-paced drill that works on passing and layups under time pressure.
Another drill is the 'Off-Ball Screen Shooting' drill, where players line up about 10 feet apart, facing each other, and shoot the ball to each other using the correct technique so that their partner can catch it without moving. This is a good drill for working on technique and can be made into a game by setting a target number of catches.
The 'Quick Hitter' drill is designed to open up a three-point shot opportunity for the team's best shooter, with players engaging in a series of strategic movements. The 'V-Cut Shooting' drill is designed to enhance players' ability to move the ball swiftly and efficiently downcourt.
For youth teams, it is important to focus on technique, stay closer to the basket, use the appropriate size/weight ball, and adjust the hoop height as needed.
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