Andrew Pace
The jump shot in basketball is a technique where a player leaps into the air and shoots the ball in a high arc towards the basket. While it is unclear who first came up with the idea of jumping and shooting, the modern jump shot is widely attributed to Kenny Sailors, a point guard for Wyoming's 1943 NCAA championship team. Sailors introduced the one-handed jump shot, which he perfected during his time in the military, and he is known for popularizing the technique that transformed the game and made it more difficult for defenders to block shots.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the inventor of the jump shot | Kenny Sailors |
| Year of invention | 1932 |
| Age when invented the jump shot | 12 years old |
| Height | 5-foot-7 |
| Older brother's height | 6-foot-5 |
| Year of the first-ever jump shot | 1946 |
| Location of the first-ever jump shot | Madison Square Garden |
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What You'll Learn
Kenny Sailors: The Forgotten Inventor
While the game of basketball was introduced in the late 1800s, it has since undergone several transformations. One of the most notable contributors to the evolution of basketball is Kenny Sailors, who is often regarded as the forgotten inventor of the jump shot.
Growing up on a small farm in Wyoming, Sailors often played basketball with his older brother, Bud, who stood at 6-foot-5, while Sailors himself was only 5-foot-7. Bud would frequently block his younger brother's shots, which led Sailors to devise a new strategy. He began to experiment with jumping as high as he could and shooting the ball while in the air, allowing him to get his shots off successfully. This innovative technique became known as the jump shot.
Sailors' unique style of play caught the attention of many, including college basketball player Heathcote, who witnessed Sailors' jump shot at a tournament in Denver in the 1940s. Heathcote recalled being mesmerized by Sailors' ability to dribble right up to his taller opponents, jump, and shoot right over them. This new shooting style was a significant departure from the traditional set shots of the time, where players kept both feet on the ground and used two hands to push the ball forward.
Despite his groundbreaking contribution to the sport, Sailors' story remained largely unknown for many years. Filmmaker Jacob Hamilton, who directed a documentary about Sailors' life, titled "Jump Shot", expressed his surprise at discovering that Sailors invented the jump shot. Sailors himself, however, seemed more interested in talking about his time in the Marines, his ranching days, and his coaching career than discussing the jump shot.
Today, the jump shot is an integral part of basketball, with players like Stephen Curry of the Warriors showcasing its effectiveness and dominance on the court. Sailors' invention not only revolutionized the game but also transformed shooting techniques, making it easier to score from a distance and more challenging for defenders to block.
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The Jump Shot's Debut
The jump shot in basketball, as we know it today, was invented by Kenny Sailors, a point guard for Wyoming's 1943 NCAA championship team. In 1946, Sailors shot the first-ever jump shot in basketball history at Madison Square Garden. However, the origins of the jump shot go back to the 1930s when Sailors was just a kid growing up on a farm in Wyoming.
Sailors' older brother, Bud, had set up a hoop on their family's windmill, and the two brothers would often play together. Bud, standing at 6-foot-5, would easily block Sailors' shots, who was much shorter at around 5-foot-7. Determined to find a way to get his shots off, Sailors started experimenting with jumping and shooting the ball while in the air. This new shooting technique, which we now call the jump shot, allowed him to get his shots off over his taller brother.
At the time, in the 1930s, two-handed set shots were the norm, and the jump shot was not yet a part of the basketball playbook. Sailors' innovative approach to shooting caught the attention of defenders and announcers alike, who were confused by his unique style. Despite the initial confusion, the jump shot proved to be a highly effective way to score, as it gave the shooter a better chance of making a shot from a distance and made it more difficult for defenders to block.
As Sailors continued to refine and perfect his jump shot, it began to gain recognition and popularity. He led the nation in scoring at the college level and was named the College Basketball Player of the Year. A photo of Sailors' perfected jump shot, with his feet hanging straight down, appeared in LIFE magazine on January 21, 1946, capturing the essence of his revolutionary technique.
Today, the jump shot is an integral part of basketball, with coaches incorporating it into game strategies. Variations of the simple jump shot, such as the "turnaround jumper" and the "fadeaway," have emerged, showcasing the evolution and creativity within the game. The jump shot, as invented by Kenny Sailors, transformed the way basketball was played and continues to be a fundamental skill taught to players of all ages.
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Jump Shot Mechanics
While the exact inventor of the jump shot in basketball is unknown, it is believed that Kenny Sailors, a 12-year-old boy from Wyoming, invented the modern jump shot in 1932.
Now, let's delve into the mechanics of this shot. The jump shot is a fundamental shooting technique in basketball, where a player leaps straight into the air, with the elbow of the shooting hand cocked, and launches the ball in a high arc towards the basket. This technique is challenging to defend against and enables scoring from long distances.
Footwork and Body Positioning:
- Stability and consistency are achieved by having a slightly wider than shoulder-width base.
- Ensure your feet are pointed forward, avoiding the "duck feet" position, which reduces shooting power.
- Start with a close stance and gradually increase the distance as you improve.
- Avoid jumping off to the side, as it can affect your balance.
Jumping and Timing:
- The jump shot involves a straight vertical jump, achieved by explosively extending your legs while simultaneously raising your arms.
- The actual throwing phase begins shortly before reaching the apex of your jump.
- Release the ball at the highest point of your jump to maximize power and range.
Ball Handling and Throwing:
- The jump shot is typically executed with one hand, while the other hand supports the ball until the time of release.
- The elbows should be at least at shoulder height, with the ball resting on the fingers, not the palms.
- Once your shoulders and elbows form a 90-degree angle, flick your wrist forward, ensuring the movement is primarily upwards.
- Keep your eyes on the basket, maintaining balance, and follow through with your arms after releasing the ball.
Variations:
The jump shot has evolved to include variations such as the turnaround jumper, where you face away from the basket, jump, and spin towards it while shooting. Another variation is the fadeaway, where you jump away from the basket to create space, and the leaning jumper, where you jump towards the basket to move away from a defender.
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Jump Shot Variations
While the exact inventor of the jump shot is unknown, it is believed that Kenny Sailors invented the modern jump shot in 1932. In the NCAA collegiate archives, John Miller Cooper, who played at the University of Missouri in the 1930s, is recognised as the first person to jump and shoot. However, John Christgau credits Ken Sailors with the jump shot in May 1934.
Jump shots are an essential part of basketball, and players are always looking for new ways to improve their technique and score. Here are some of the most common variations of the jump shot:
Turnaround Jumper
The attacker has their back turned to the defender, jumps off, and then spins around in mid-air to face the basket and shoot. This variation was made famous by Michael Jordan.
Step Back Jump Shot
This is initiated by a step forward, followed by a step back to the previous position, creating space between the attacker and the defender, allowing for an unhindered jump shot.
Fadeaway
Also known as the "Leaner", this shot is the counterpart to the Turnaround Jump Shot. The player jumps forward instead of moving backward, surprising the defender and making it harder for them to block.
Leaning Jumper
The player jumps towards the basket to move away from a trailing defender, allowing them to shoot over the defender.
Hook Shot
The player is turned sideways with the shooting arm away from the basket and outstretched. They then sweep the ball over their head in a high arc, making it difficult for the defender to block.
These variations of the jump shot allow players to create space, avoid defenders, and increase their chances of scoring. Each variation has its advantages and can be used strategically depending on the player's position and the defender's movements.
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The Jump Shot's Evolution
The jump shot in basketball has an interesting evolution. The game of basketball has undergone several transformations since its introduction in the late 1800s, and the jump shot is one of the most significant of these changes. The jump shot, a technique where a player leaps into the air to shoot the ball in a high arc towards the basket, replaced the earlier set shot, which was slower and less effective.
While it is unclear who first came up with the idea of jumping while shooting, the modern jump shot, or the one-handed jump shot, is credited to Kenny Sailors, a point guard for Wyoming's 1943 NCAA championship team. Sailors, who grew up on a small farm in Wyoming, learned to play basketball with his older brother, Bud, who was 6-foot-5, while Sailors himself was only 5-foot-7. To compete with his taller brother, Sailors devised a new shooting technique. He would dribble towards his brother, jump as high as he could, and then shoot the ball. This allowed him to get a shot off against his brother, who had easily blocked his previous attempts.
Sailors continued to develop and perfect his jump shot, even while serving in the military. He rejoined the Wyoming men's basketball team for the 1946 season and showcase his improved jump shot, which was now a key part of his game. A photo of Sailors' jump shot appeared in LIFE magazine on January 21, 1946, capturing the moment he jumped and shot the ball against Long Island University in Madison Square Garden.
The jump shot transformed the game of basketball. It became the easiest shot to make from a distance and more difficult for defenders to block. Coaches and instructors now emphasize the acronym "BEEF" when teaching shooting technique: Balance, Eyes, Elbows, and Follow Through. The jump shot has evolved to include variations such as the "turnaround jumper", the "fadeaway", and the "leaning jumper." Today, the game of basketball has evolved to include more fast-paced playstyles that emphasize passing and perimeter-based offenses, with taller players also becoming more comfortable shooters.
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Frequently asked questions
Kenny Sailors is credited with inventing the jump shot in basketball.
Kenny Sailors invented the jump shot in the 1930s when he was 12 years old. However, he publicly demonstrated it in 1946 at Madison Square Garden.
Kenny Sailors invented the jump shot out of necessity. He was unable to get a shot off against his older brother, Bud, who was 6-foot-5 while Sailors was only 5-foot-7.
Sailors would dribble up to his brother, jump as high as he could, and shoot the ball. This allowed him to shoot over his brother, who was much taller than him.
After inventing the jump shot, Kenny Sailors went on to play for the Wyoming men's basketball team and was named the College Basketball Player of the Year. He later served in the military and eventually retired to run a ranch in western Wyoming.
