Amanda Knapp
Shooting a basketball is the most important skill to master in order to play the game. It takes time and practice to shoot a basketball correctly, so don't be discouraged if you don't get it right away. The key to being a good shooter is balance, and this starts with your base. Your feet should be turned slightly to the left if you're right-handed and slightly to the right if you're left-handed. The correct grip is also important, with your shooting hand underneath the ball and your non-shooting hand steadying it on the side.
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What You'll Learn
Foot placement
The first step in achieving a balanced base is positioning your feet at the appropriate width. Ideally, your feet should be placed slightly narrower than shoulder-width apart. This width provides stability and allows for a smooth transition into your shooting motion.
For right-handed shooters, their feet should be turned slightly to the left (11 o'clock position). Conversely, left-handed shooters should position their feet slightly to the right (1 o'clock position). This slight turn relieves tension from the chest and enables a more comfortable alignment of the elbow and shoulder with the rim.
Tilting your feet towards your dominant side can be beneficial, especially when starting. However, as you gain experience, you may find that adjusting your foot placement to be "squared up" helps improve your accuracy, reducing misses from left to right.
When receiving the basketball, it is essential to be mentally prepared to shoot. Avoid catching the ball with straight legs, as this adds extra time to bend your legs before shooting. Instead, be ready to bend your knees and use your legs to generate power for your shot.
The “shot pocket” refers to the area from which a player feels most comfortable starting their shooting motion. Typically, this is around the lower chest or stomach area, slightly to the shooting hand side. Finding your shot pocket helps you establish a consistent and reliable shooting form.
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Hand and finger placement
If you are right-handed, your left hand should be placed on the side of the line, with your right hand holding the back of the ball firmly in place. Your non-shooting hand is for guidance and balance, and it should rest on the side of the ball to steady it. When shooting, the balance hand should be released flat off the side of the basketball. If the hand is not flat on release, it means the player has pushed the ball with their balance hand, and the shot will usually miss left or right.
The shooting motion involves pushing the ball up and forward, turning your body 20 to 90 degrees toward your non-shooting hand as you jump, and straightening your shooting elbow. The elbow should be in line with your shoulder, not directly under the ball. As the elbow extends, the ball is lifted from the shot pocket, and the wrist follows through so that the ball flies in an arc.
The middle finger is the last finger to release the ball, and the index fingertip, middle fingertip, or the space between them is where you should position your dominant hand.
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Elbow positioning
When shooting, the elbow should be positioned directly under the basketball to ensure a straight path toward the basket. This alignment helps improve accuracy and control while reducing unnecessary strain on the joint. Keeping the elbow tucked in reduces deviations from the intended path, increasing the likelihood of a successful shot.
To achieve proper elbow alignment, players should focus on the position of their fingers and hands. The fingers of the shooting hand should be perpendicular to the seams of the ball, with the palm facing up and the non-shooting hand steadying the side of the ball. As the player jumps and extends their arm to shoot, the balance hand releases flat from the side of the ball, and the elbow of the shooting arm straightens once the ball has been lifted past shoulder height.
The "shot pocket" is a term used to describe the area where a player feels most comfortable starting their shooting motion, typically around the lower chest or stomach area. To find this position, players can stand at the free-throw line with their toes pointing toward the rim and adjust their feet until their elbow lines up comfortably with the rim. This slight turn of the feet helps relieve tension in the chest and allows for a more natural shooting motion.
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Using the backboard
When shooting, you can use the backboard to your advantage by aiming for the sweet spot or optimal target point. This spot is usually found in the upper square, above the rim, and slightly to the side. To be more specific, imagine a V shape near the top centre of the backboard's square. The "V" can be formed by taping on the glass and placing a vertical rod a few inches behind the middle of the backboard. The point where one side of the "V" meets the vertical rod is the ideal target point for your shot. This spot may vary depending on your position on the court, with shots from the wing areas between the three-point line and the free-throw lane being more effective.
To execute a successful bank shot, it is crucial to develop a consistent shooting technique through repetition. Practice shooting from different areas of the court, refining your layups, and working on your form. The backboard can be particularly useful for layup shots, giving you a larger margin for error. By driving in for a layup and using the backboard, you increase your chances of making the shot, even if your initial angle of approach wasn't perfect. The backboard can redirect the ball into the hoop, almost like magic!
Additionally, the backboard can be your secret weapon to confuse defenders. They may not anticipate the unpredictable direction your ball will take after ricocheting off the backboard. This element of surprise can give you a momentary advantage over your opponents. So, don't be afraid to make the backboard your trusted friend in practice and games alike. With enough repetition, using the backboard will become second nature, and you'll be sinking those bank shots with style and confidence.
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Practising
Start by aligning your body with a basketball hoop, or imagining a hoop if you don't have access to one. Place your feet either hip- or shoulder-width apart, whichever you find more comfortable. If you are right-handed, turn your feet slightly to the left, and if you are left-handed, turn them slightly to the right. This will allow your elbow and shoulder to line up with the rim more comfortably.
Hold the ball from underneath with your palm facing up and out. Position your shooting hand so that your fingertips are perpendicular to the seams in the ball. The only area of your shooting hand that shouldn't be touching the ball is the small gap in the middle. Spread your fingers comfortably wide. Keep your other hand on the side of the ball to steady it.
Now, practise the motion of shooting. Bring the ball back towards your body and align your elbow under the ball. Elevate into your shooting position and focus on your release follow-through. Straighten your shooting elbow and release the ball towards your target just before you reach the full height of your jump. Follow through with your wrist so that the ball flies in an arc.
Practise this motion over and over, starting close to the basket and working your way back. If you're not getting it right, go back to step one and start again. It takes time and practice to shoot a basketball correctly, so don't get discouraged. Once you've mastered the basics, get some friends together for a scrimmage to practise shooting in a game setting.
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Frequently asked questions
Square your body to the basket, with your feet hip- or shoulder-width apart, whichever is more comfortable. Your shooting foot should be very slightly ahead of your non-shooting foot. Your knees should be slightly bent and your back leaning towards the basket.
Your shooting arm should be slightly bent and your elbow in line with your shoulder, not directly under the ball. Your shooting hand should be underneath the ball with your palm facing up and out. Your non-shooting hand should rest on the side of the ball to steady it.
Push the ball up and forward, turning your body 20 to 90 degrees toward your non-shooting hand as you jump. Straighten your shooting elbow and release the ball just before you reach the full height of your jump. Follow through with your wrist so the ball flies in an arc.
Keep your movements simple and focus on your technique. Make sure you give the ball enough height so that it drops into the net from above. Practice shooting from different angles and distances until it starts to feel natural.
Start close to the basket so you can focus on form without worrying about strength. Practice shooting with both your dominant and non-dominant hands. Get used to shooting in games, as it's harder when you have to shoot on a moment's notice with a defender closing in.
