Andrew Pace
The placement of your fingers when shooting a basketball is crucial to achieving a consistent release. While there are many theories about which finger should release the ball last, the reality is that this is a very short, quick movement that is hard to control. Instead, coaches should focus on building habits that help players improve their shooting technique, such as getting the middle of the hand under the middle of the ball as early as possible in the shooting motion. This will help players develop a more consistent and repeatable shooting form, which is key to improving their accuracy and overall performance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Angle of the finger | The finger of the shooting hand should be parallel to the target line |
| Position of the elbow | The elbow should be in, but it doesn't touch the basketball |
| Grip | The grip should be wide with the thumb comfortably spread out |
| Guide hand | Pointed towards the rim, with the palm facing the shooting hand |
| Fingers | The pointer and middle fingers should be dominant |
| Set point | The middle of the player's hand should be under the middle of the ball |
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What You'll Learn
The importance of the index finger
The index finger is extremely important when it comes to basketball shooting technique. The placement of the last finger to touch the basketball at the point of release will determine the direction of the ball. The index finger and middle finger should be the dominant fingers when shooting, with the pointer finger usually being the last finger to touch the ball.
It is important to get your hand to the centre of the basketball as early as possible so you can push through the centre of the ball. To achieve this, you can place your index finger on the air valve of the ball, with your middle finger on the other side of the valve. This is a great starting point, and you can then adjust your grip to find the most comfortable position.
The index finger is also important in achieving a consistent release. The angle of the finger on the middle of the ball is key, and the elbow can be used as a cue to get the finger into correct alignment. If the finger is not parallel to the target line, it will come off the middle of the ball as the wrist snaps, pushing the ball offline.
The guide hand is also important to consider. It should be used to balance the ball at the beginning of the shot and then released. The guide hand should be pointing towards the rim, with the palm facing the shooting hand. This will help to keep the off-shoulder from popping out and provide more balance.
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The role of the middle finger
The middle finger is also important in the set point of the shot. The middle of the player's hand should be under the middle of the ball as early in the shooting motion as possible. This can be achieved by having the player take a comfortable, wide grip on the basketball and measuring the distance from the tip of the shooting hand index finger to the tip of the thumb. This distance should then be compared to the distance from the tip of the index finger to the tip of the pinkie.
The middle finger also plays a role in the angle of the finger on the middle of the ball. The player's finger should be parallel to the target line, which will keep it on the very bottom of the ball throughout the wrist snap. If the finger isn't parallel, it will come off the middle of the ball during the wrist snap, pushing the ball offline.
In addition, the guide hand, which is used to balance the ball at the beginning of the shot, should have its fingers pointed at the ceiling when the ball is at the set point. This minimises the movement of the guide hand during the shot, reducing the room for error.
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Guide hand positioning
The guide hand is used to balance the basketball at the beginning of a shot. It is important to release the guide hand from the ball after this. At the end of the shot, both arms should be fully extended, with the guide hand palm facing the shooting hand. This will help to keep the off-shoulder from popping out and will give more balance on the follow-through.
To find the correct guide hand position, hold the ball so that the hand is on the side of the basketball, with the fingers pointed at the ceiling when the ball is at the set point. From this position, the guide hand only needs to move a fraction of an inch to be out of the way and passive during the shooting motion. If the guide hand is positioned towards the top or front of the ball, it will need to make a bigger move to release from the ball, which will take more time and leave more room for error.
The pointer finger and middle finger should be the dominant fingers when shooting a basketball. The pointer finger should be placed on one side of the pinhole (where you put air into the ball), with the middle finger on the other side. This is a great starting point, and the rest of the hand will contribute to the shot, but the pointer and middle fingers should be doing most of the work.
It is important to keep the guide hand extended in the correct position to prevent the upper body from twisting during the shot.
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Shooting hand placement
To achieve this, start by gripping the ball with your shooting hand wide and your thumb comfortably spread out. Place your index finger (pointer, forefinger) on the air valve of the ball. Then place the ball on your hip so that you have your guide hand free. With your guide hand, measure the distance from the tip of your index finger to the tip of your thumb. Then compare that distance to the length from the tip of the index finger to the tip of the pinkie. This will help you find the middle of your hand, which you want to get under the middle of the ball as early in the shooting motion as possible.
The angle of the finger on the middle of the ball is also important. Get your finger parallel to the target line, so it will remain on the very bottom of the ball throughout the wrist snap. If the finger isn’t parallel, it will come off the middle of the ball as the wrist snaps, pushing the ball off line.
It is also important to keep your shooting hand behind the ball. This allows you to push forward. If your hand is underneath the ball, you will not get the same range.
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Grip technique
To achieve this, the first step is to get your hand to the center of the ball. This is an absolute must. As a guide, use the pinhole (the place where you put air into the ball). Put your pointer finger on one side of the pinhole and your middle finger on the other. Your pointer finger and middle finger should be the dominant fingers when you shoot, with your entire hand contributing to the shot.
Next, you want to get your shooting hand behind the ball. This is a common mistake, as players often think that because their elbow is under the ball, their hand should be as well. However, your hand has to be slightly behind the basketball so that you can push forward.
When it comes to the guide hand, it should only be used to balance the ball at the beginning of your shot. After that, release it from the ball. At the end of your shot, make sure that both arms are fully extended and your guide hand palm is facing your shooting hand. This will help keep your off shoulder from popping out and give you more balance.
To measure your grip, start by gripping the ball with your shooting hand wide and your thumb comfortably spread out. Place your index finger (pointer, forefinger) on the air valve of the ball. Then place the ball on your hip so that you have your guide hand free. With your guide hand, measure the distance from the tip of your index finger to the tip of your thumb. Then, compare that distance to the tip of the index finger and the tip of the pinkie.
Additionally, coaches often refer to getting the "elbow in," which is not incorrect, but it doesn't fully cover the issue. The goal is to get the finger of the shooting hand parallel to the target line, so it remains on the very bottom of the ball throughout the wrist snap.
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Frequently asked questions
The pointer finger and middle finger of your dominant hand should be the last two fingers touching the ball. The pointer finger should be on one side of the pinhole (where you put air into the ball) and the middle finger should be on the other side. This will help you get your hand to the centre of the ball, which is crucial for accuracy.
Your guide hand should be used to balance the ball at the beginning of your shot. After that, release it from the ball. However, make sure that your guide hand is pointing towards the rim as you shoot, and that your arms are fully extended. This will help you keep your off-shoulder from popping out and give you more balance.
Grip the ball with your shooting hand wide and your thumb comfortably spread out. Place your index finger on the air valve of the ball, then place the ball on your hip so that your guide hand is free.
Start by taking hundreds of shots away from the hoop, either by yourself against a wall or with a partner. Once you feel comfortable, take hundreds of shots close to the basket and gradually move further away.
