Amanda Knapp
Basketball is a sport with a wide variety of shots, and players will choose which type to attempt based on their court position, their skills, and the game situation. The most popular shots include the layup, the jump shot, the hook shot, the bank shot, the dunk, and the three-point shot. Each of these shots has its own advantages and disadvantages, and players will often have their own unique variations and techniques for performing them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most popular shot | Layup |
| Other common shots | Dunk, Jump shot, Bank shot, Free throw, Hook shot, Three-point shot |
| Most basic shots | Bank shot, Dunk, Free throw, Jump shot, Layup |
| Most unstoppable shot | Skyhook |
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What You'll Learn
Layups
There are two main types of layup: the underarm and the overarm. The underarm layup involves using the wrist and fingers to 'lay' the ball into the net or off the board. This is also known as the finger roll, famously used by Wilt Chamberlain, Mike Bibby, and Allen Iverson. The finger roll has many variations, including the "Around the World", which involves a full circle around the player before the layup. The overhand layup is similar to a jump shot but from a much closer range. This type of layup usually involves using the backboard. Notable players who have used this move include Scottie Pippen and Karl Malone.
The Reverse Layup is a variation of the layup used to evade blocks. The shooter faces away from the basket and tosses the ball backward. This move is often used during a baseline drive or when a defender is blocking one side of the rim. Michael Jordan was known to use this move to score against taller defenders.
The Euro-Step is a common technique used by players to create space for a layup attempt. This move involves picking up the dribble, taking one step in one direction, and then quickly taking a step in the other direction to evade the defender. This move relies on agility and footwork to avoid larger defenders.
Practicing layups is essential in basketball, as it is a fundamental move that will become second nature with enough repetition. Players should practice until their muscles remember the movement, so they don't have to think about which foot to put forward and can instead focus on positioning and speed.
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Jump shots
To perform a jump shot, the player jumps vertically by explosively extending their legs and simultaneously raising their arms. At the apex of the jump, the ball is released with one hand, while the other hand supports it until the moment of release. The elbows should be straight and at least at shoulder height, with the ball resting on the fingers rather than the palms. The wrist is then flicked forward, with the movement primarily upwards, ensuring the wrist does not bend downwards. This provides the necessary momentum and spin on the ball.
Before attempting jump shots, players should master the basic standing throw, ensuring their form and technique are correct. They can then progress to jump shots from a standing position before attempting the full jump shot while moving. The jumping movement and the fast throwing motion require coordination, which can be challenging for beginners.
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Hook shots
The hook shot is a staple of many players in the National Basketball Association (NBA). It is a one-handed shot made when the player's body is not directly facing the basket. The offensive player, usually turned perpendicular to the basket, gently throws the ball using a sweeping motion of the arm farther from the basket in an upward arc with a follow-through that ends over their head. The other arm is often used to create space between the shooter and the defensive player.
The hook shot is quite difficult to block, but only a small number of players have mastered it more than a few feet from the basket. Former Harlem Globetrotter Goose Tatum is often credited with inventing the hook shot, and he even shot them without looking at the basket. The hook shot later became a trademark of NBA players such as George Mikan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and Yao Ming. Abdul-Jabbar's skyhook had an exaggerated, almost straight-arm release, giving it a high arc.
In FIBA games, hook shots were a favored skill for centers before slam dunks became more popular, mainly because of the relative difficulty of blocking such shots. NBA's Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer George Mikan developed a devastating hook shot while playing for DePaul University in the mid-1940s, as did Jerry Lucas playing for Ohio State 15 years later. The hook shot became a trademark of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who was proficient at the shot at a much greater distance from the basket than most players. The greater distance and resulting higher arc on the shot led to the name skyhook, coined during Abdul-Jabbar's time with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Due to the increasingly physical nature of low post basketball, the "jump hook" has become a more popular style of hook shot, employed by players including centers Shaquille O'Neal and Dwight Howard. The jump hook provides better balance and a quicker release, though the shot will not be released from as high in the air. According to Hakeem Olajuwon, it is a "necessary shot that every center should have", because it is very difficult to block.
The hook shot is a useful skill for taller players, as it allows them to utilize their height and reach to make a contest impossible. However, it requires a lot of honing and training, with a lot of repetition, and young players nowadays are often instructed by their coaches to focus on developing their 'guard skills' instead. As a result, the hook shot is not as common as other shots in modern basketball.
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Dunks
The dunk, or slam dunk, is a type of basketball shot that involves a player jumping and controlling the ball above the horizontal plane of the rim, before scoring by pushing the ball down through the basket with one or both hands. The dunk is usually one of the most spectacular shots in basketball and is often a crowd-pleaser. It is also one of the toughest feats in the sport, requiring more jumping ability than shooting skills.
The history of the dunk dates back to 1936, when Joe Fortenberry of the McPherson Globe Refiners dunked the ball in Madison Square Garden. However, in the early years, dunking was seen as an unnecessary and showy move, and some players even considered it disrespectful. This perception changed in the 1950s and 1960s, thanks to legendary players like Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, who understood the power of the dunk as a momentum shifter and a way to energize their team.
In the 1970s, players like Julius Erving, David Thompson, and Darryl Dawkins further popularized the dunk with their impressive skills and stats, thrilling crowds and ushering in the era of the slam dunk contest. The NBA Slam Dunk Contest, which became an annual event in 1984, showcased incredible feats of athleticism and iconic dunks, forever changing how the move was viewed.
The mechanics of a dunk involve dribbling and charging towards the hoop, then jumping as high as possible and leaping towards the rim. The player then lifts the ball above the rim and forcefully pushes or slams it through. Most people jump off one foot, but some may find they can jump higher off both feet.
There are several variations of the dunk, including the 360, which involves a full 360-degree rotation of the player's body while airborne, and the between-the-legs dunk, popularized by Isaiah Rider in the 1994 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. The one-hand dunk emphasizes power and control, requiring a strong grip and core strength, while the Superman dunk, popularized by Dwight Howard, involves wearing a cape and soaring through the air for a double dunk.
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Three-point shots
The history of the three-point shot in basketball dates back to the late 1930s when Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, first advocated for its inclusion. However, it wasn't until 1961 that the three-point shot was officially adopted by the American Basketball League (ABL), becoming the first basketball league to institute this rule. ABL commissioner Abe Saperstein, seeking to add excitement to the game and differentiate his league from the NBA, collaborated with DePaul University coach Ray Meyer to determine the distance of the new shot line, settling on 25 feet from the basket. Despite initial resistance and concerns that it was a gimmick, the three-point shot gained traction and was later adopted by other leagues, including the Eastern Professional Basketball League in the 1963-64 season and the American Basketball Association (ABA) in its inaugural 1967-68 season. The ABA commissioner, George Mikan, recognized the potential of the three-pointer to "give the smaller player a chance to score and open up the defense," making the game more enjoyable for fans.
The NBA's introduction of the three-point line came in the 1979-80 season, with Chris Ford of the Boston Celtics making the league's first-ever three-point shot on October 12, 1979. Since then, the three-point shot has become an increasingly prominent feature of the NBA, with players like Steph Curry breaking records for made three-pointers in a game. The three-point shot has evolved from its early experimental implementations to become a fundamental aspect of basketball strategy, with players and teams constantly adapting their tactics to maximize its potential.
The mechanics of executing a three-point shot are similar to those of a jump shot. Players often receive a pass in a shooting spot or dribble past a defender before jumping and releasing the ball towards the basket, ideally at the apex of their jump. Proper form, including straight elbows and a flick of the wrist to provide spin and momentum to the ball, are crucial for accuracy and consistency. The versatility of the three-point shot allows players to score from various court areas, posing a challenge for defenders due to the increased distance.
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Frequently asked questions
The layup is one of the most basic and popular shots in basketball, especially within a short range of the basket. It is a close-range shot taken near the basket while moving toward the hoop.
Some other common shots include the jump shot, hook shot, bank shot, and dunk.
The hook shot is a one-handed shot that requires the player to stand close to the hoop and swing their arm in a curved motion to send the ball toward the hoop. It is a difficult shot to block and alter.
