Kristian Ferrell
In basketball, the set point is a vital position for developing a shooting motion. It is the position of the ball before a player's legs extend to jump. The set point is important for achieving proper coordination, timing, and rhythm for a shot. Players need to identify a set point that is in front of their forehead, high enough to enable their shooting hand to get under the ball, and low enough so that the elbow still has room to lift and generate force. Drills can help players get accustomed to the feeling of the set point and improve their shooting accuracy and range.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tuck and Set Point | Vital for developing a shooting motion like the best shooters in the world |
| Set Point | The ball needs to reach the set point before extending your legs to jump for proper coordination, timing, and rhythm for the shot |
| Set Point | Should be in front of the forehead, high enough to be able to get the shooting hand under the ball, but low enough that the elbow still has room to lift and generate force upwards |
| Set Point | If the set point is over the player's head, the elbow will already be lifted |
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What You'll Learn
Drills for the Tuck and Set Point
Drills are an essential part of basketball training, and they can make the difference between a good and a poor shooter. Here are some drills that focus on the Tuck and Set Point, which are vital for developing a shooting motion like the best shooters in the world.
The Tuck and Set Point Drill
This drill trains players to raise the ball to the set position before extending their legs to jump. This is a quick, fluid motion. When you gather the ball, you immediately tuck/cushion it and transition it to your set position. At the same time, you drop your hips, load your legs, and get ready to jump. This is the ending position for the drill.
The Old School Drill
Although the name of this drill is not known, this "old school" drill is mentioned as being vital for developing a great shot.
The One-Hand Set Shot Drill
When performing the one-hand set shot, it is vital that the player keeps their eyes on the target, with feet shoulder-width apart, and knees slightly bent. The non-shooting hand should be under the ball, and the shooting hand at the back of the ball, with the elbow tucked in. The ball should be held between the ear and shoulder. The next phase is to extend the legs, back, shoulders, and elbow, then flex the wrist and fingers forward, releasing the ball at the highest point. After release, fingers should be pointed at the target, with the palm facing down.
The Guide Hand Shooting Drill
This drill focuses on adding the guide hand to the shooting release. The guide hand should be near the side of the ball, not in front or behind it, with fingers pointing upwards. This is important because when you overuse the guide hand, players will tend to miss to the right and left. Eliminating this tendency will automatically increase the number of shots made.
The Set to Go Drill
This drill focuses on the top half of the shooting motion. As soon as the ball reaches approximately the shoulder position, shooters extend their legs.
The Free Throw Drill
This drill is used by Stephen Curry. He must swish 5 out of 10 free throws.
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Raising the ball to the set point
To effectively raise the ball to the set point, it is important to understand the tuck and set point technique. The tuck involves cushioning the ball by dropping your hips and loading your legs, which helps you prepare to extend into the jump. This movement should be practised with a dribble, where you run and take one or two dribbles, gather the ball, and come to a quick stop. As you gather the ball, you immediately transition it to your set position.
The set point should be in front of your forehead, high enough to get your shooting hand under the ball. This ensures that your elbow still has room to lift and generate upward force. A common mistake is to take the set point of the shot back over or behind the head, which can lead to flat shots and struggles with distance control. By keeping the set point in front of the forehead, you allow your elbow to lift with your hand underneath the ball, creating an arc in your shooting motion.
Practising the tuck and set point drills is vital for developing a shooting motion like the best shooters in the world. It helps train your body to feel the correct position, improving your coordination and timing, and ultimately enhancing your shooting accuracy and range.
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The importance of timing and rhythm
The set point in basketball is a critical aspect of developing a consistent and accurate shooting form. It refers to the position of the ball before the shooting motion begins. The importance of timing and rhythm in relation to the set point cannot be overstated.
Timing is crucial because it ensures the various components of the shooting action are synchronised for maximum effect. The set point is the moment when the player has lifted the ball high enough to get their shooting hand under it, but their elbow should still have room to lift and generate upward force. This timing ensures the player's arm is in the optimal position to create an arc in their shot, which is essential for accurate long-range shooting.
Rhythm is equally important as it determines the fluidity and consistency of a player's shooting form. The set point is key to establishing a smooth and consistent rhythm. By bringing the ball to the set point, the player can then load their legs and prepare for the jump, ensuring a fluid motion. If a player jumps or extends their legs before reaching the set point, their rhythm can be disrupted, leading to an awkward shooting motion and reduced accuracy.
Drills are often used to reinforce the importance of timing and rhythm in relation to the set point. These drills help players develop a feel for the correct timing and rhythm, ensuring their shooting action is smooth and consistent. The "old school" drill, for example, teaches players to bring the ball to the set point before extending their legs, emphasising the importance of timing and rhythm for proper coordination.
Ultimately, the set point is a vital component of a player's shooting technique. By focusing on the timing and rhythm associated with the set point, players can improve their accuracy and consistency, becoming more effective shooters.
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Common shooting flaws
Basketball players can fall into many bad habits when it comes to shooting, and these can be difficult to correct. Here are some of the most common shooting flaws:
Misaligned shooting hand
The shooting hand is placed too far to the side or not directly under the ball, while the guide hand might overly influence the shot's direction. This can cause the ball to veer off course. The correct technique involves positioning the shooting hand (the dominant hand) directly under the ball, with the fingers spread comfortably for a controlled grip.
Unnecessary jerky movements
Twisting the body, fading backward, and moving to the left or right can cause inconsistent shooting. This can be caused by incorrect foot alignment or bringing the guide hand down too early. To correct this, players should evaluate when and what type of jerky movement is occurring, which may involve videoing their shot.
Incorrect elbow position
The elbow should be under the basketball and above the big toe of the shooting foot. If the elbow is positioned away from the side of the body, it forces the player to shoot from behind the head or with no arch. This can cause the ball to be shot short, with no chance of going in the basket.
Incorrect follow-through
A right-handed shooter's follow-through should not cross their nose. This is a sign of "pushing" the shot, which is inconsistent and lacks arc. The follow-through should end with the elbow by the eyebrow on the shooting hand side of the body.
Overuse of the guide hand
The guide hand should not be on the ball at all and should have no effect on the shot. It should fall away from the ball in the split second before the shot is released from the fingertips.
Incorrect release point
Shooting on the way down causes a loss of power and a corresponding loss of arc on the ball. The shot should be released just before the top of the jump to make use of the momentum from the legs.
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How to fix shooting flaws
In basketball, a set point is a vital position that helps players develop a shooting motion. The ball needs to reach the set point before extending the legs to jump for proper coordination, timing, and rhythm for the shot.
Identify the issue
The first step to fixing shooting flaws is to identify the problem. Common issues include an elbow that wings out from under the ball, a flat shot, unnecessary jerky movements, or an inconsistent shot.
Correct positioning
Once the issue is identified, players can work on correcting their positioning. For example, if the problem is an elbow that wings out, players should focus on getting their shooting hand underneath the middle of the ball. If the issue is a flat shot, players should adjust their set point so that when they bring the ball straight down, the back of their shooting hand grazes their forehead.
Practice and repetition
Fixing shooting flaws takes persistence and focus. Players should be prepared for their shot to get worse before it gets better. It takes thousands of repetitions to improve, so players should be patient and consistent in their practice.
Drills and training
To correct shooting flaws, players can utilize corrective drills and training techniques. This may involve working on their footwork, such as ensuring both feet face the basket and apply force down into the ground for a balanced takeoff. Players can also practice the dribble, running, and taking one or two dribbles before gathering the ball and transitioning it to the set point.
Seek feedback
It can be helpful to have someone critique your shot or to video tape it to identify issues and track progress. This can provide valuable feedback on what areas to focus on and whether the drills and training are effective.
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Frequently asked questions
A set point in basketball is the position of the ball before a player begins the shooting motion.
The set point is important because it helps players develop a shooting motion with proper coordination, timing, and rhythm. Raising the ball to the set point before extending the legs to jump is what elite shooters do.
The ideal position of the set point is in front of the player's forehead, high enough to get the shooting hand under the ball, but low enough that the elbow still has room to lift and generate force upwards.
A common mistake players make, especially among male players, is taking the set point of their shot back over or behind their head. This can lead to flat shots and struggles with distance control as it affects the elbow and hand movement during the shooting motion.
