Helena Frye
The hook shot is a well-known basketball shot that has been used by many NBA players over the years. It is a one-handed shot performed by an offensive player, usually perpendicular to the basket, using a sweeping motion of the arm farthest from the basket in an upward arc. The hook shot is quite difficult to block and can be an effective way for smaller offensive players to score over bigger defenders. It requires proper placement, form, and balance, and can be performed in several variations, including the baby hook, jump hook, and skyhook.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Level | Difficult to master but easy to execute once mastered |
| Usage | Used by post players close to the basket, near the blocks or in the paint |
| Variations | Baby hook, Jump hook, Skyhook |
| Body Position | Sideways to the basket |
| Foot Position | Pivot on the non-shooting foot |
| Shooting Arm | Sweeping motion over the head |
| Non-shooting Arm | Used to create space with the defender |
| Ball Release | From the fingertips with a snap of the wrist |
| Practice | Requires extensive practice to execute in games |
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What You'll Learn
How to shoot a hook shot
A hook shot is an offensive play in basketball that is quite difficult to block. It involves a player positioned sideways, gently throwing the ball in an upward arc using a sweeping motion of the arm farthest from the basket. The non-dominant hand is used to create space between the shooter and the defender, and the shot ends with a follow-through over the player's head.
To shoot a hook shot, position yourself sideways so that your dominant hand with the ball is farthest from the basket. Jump with the foot closest to the basket (if you are right-handed, use your left foot) and simultaneously bring your bent shooting arm in a sweeping motion around your head. Release the ball by flicking your wrist. It is important to make eye contact with the basket before shooting to ensure proper placement, form, and balance.
The hook shot is most effective when used by post players in the paint and can be a great way to gain quick points. It is also a rare style of shot, so defenders may not be expecting it. However, if you use it repeatedly, the defender will catch on, so mix up your moves. Practice the hook shot along with other shots like the baseline drop-step, the up-and-under, and the turn-and-shoot to keep defenders guessing.
The jump hook is a variation of the hook shot where the shooting arm extends vertically with the ball above the shoulder, and the head is turned to see the target. The ball is released with a snap of the wrist, similar to a jump shot. Footwork is crucial for executing the jump hook correctly and consistently. When moving to the middle, the inside foot (left foot for right-handed shooters) should be planted parallel to the baseline to avoid over-rotating the shoulders and exposing the shot for a block.
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Variations of the hook shot
The hook shot is a play where an offensive player, usually turned perpendicular to the basket, uses a sweeping motion of the arm furthest from the basket to throw the ball in an upward arc. This one-handed shot is difficult to block, but only a handful of players have mastered it beyond a few feet from the basket.
Skyhook
Perhaps the most famous variation of the hook shot, the skyhook, involves jumping off one foot while perpendicular to the basketball hoop. The greater distance and higher arc of the shot led to its name, coined by Eddie Doucette, the Milwaukee Bucks' radio announcer during Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's time with the team. Abdul-Jabbar, a proficient skyhooker, would execute this shot from a much greater distance than most players.
Jump Hook
The jump hook is a more popular style of hook shot due to the increasingly physical nature of low-post basketball. The player jumps off using two feet, providing better balance and a quicker release. While the shot is not released from as high in the air, it is still very difficult to block.
Traditional Hook Shot
In the most traditional sense, the player doesn't jump to make the shot, although variations do include jumping. The player uses their body to block the defence and then throws the ball up with one hand in a sweeping motion over their head. This shot can be part of a layup or function as its own shot.
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Mastering the hook shot
Know when to use it: The hook shot is most effective when used by post players in the paint and can be a great way to gain quick points. It is also a good option when you are having a hard time with a certain defender, as you can use your non-dominant hand to create space between you and the defender. However, do not rely on this shot repeatedly, as the defender will catch on. It is also important to note that the hook shot requires proper placement, form, and balance, so avoid attempting it if you are out of position or out of the paint.
Practice the sweeping motion: The key to a successful hook shot is the graceful and sweeping motion of your shooting arm over your head. Imagine arcing your arm like a windmill and finishing with a flick of your wrist. This motion is essential whether you are doing a traditional hook shot or a jumping hook shot.
Study the techniques of masters: Study the techniques of players who have perfected the hook shot, such as George Mikan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, or James Harden. Observe their footwork, hand maneuvering, and variations to develop your own style.
Use practice to experiment: Practice is crucial to mastering the hook shot. Use your practice sessions to try out new shots, test different techniques, and get feedback from your teammates. The more skills you can master, the more versatile a player you will become.
Be ready to rebound: Even the best hook shot shooters don't make every attempt, so always be ready to rebound the ball if you miss. As soon as you release the ball, plant both feet on the ground and turn towards the basket to prepare for a rebound.
By following these tips and putting in the practice time, you can master the hook shot and add a valuable weapon to your basketball skillset.
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History of the hook shot
The hook shot is an offensive play in basketball where the player, usually turned perpendicular to the basket, throws the ball with one hand using a sweeping motion of the arm in an upward arc. The other arm is used to create space between the shooter and the defensive player. The hook shot is quite difficult to block, but only a few players have mastered it more than a few feet from the basket.
The hook shot was reportedly first performed during official games in Eurobasket 1937 by Pranas Talzūnas, a member of the Lithuania basketball team, which went on to win the championship. Former Harlem Globetrotter Goose Tatum is also often credited with inventing the hook shot; he was even able to shoot them without looking at the basket. The hook shot later became a staple of many players in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
NBA's Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer George Mikan developed a powerful hook shot while playing for DePaul University in the mid-1940s. Jerry Lucas, playing for Ohio State 15 years later, and NBA star Cliff Hagan also perfected the hook shot. However, it was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who became most associated with the shot, which he could execute from 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 by the Milwaukee Bucks' radio announcer, Eddie Doucette. Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA's second-place all-time leading scorer, scored a record 38,327 career points, many of them due to his mastery of the skyhook.
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 such as Shaquille O'Neal and Dwight Howard. The jump hook provides better balance and a quicker release, though the shot is not 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.
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Famous hook shot players
The hook shot is a type of basketball shot where an offensive player uses a single arm to throw the ball sideways over their head to make a basket. It can be part of a layup or a shot on its own. The hook shot is quite difficult to block, but only a few players have mastered it more than a few feet from the basket.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the National Basketball Association's second-place all-time leading scorer, was proficient at the hook shot. His signature move, the skyhook, was accomplished from a much greater distance from the basket than most players. The skyhook was coined during Abdul-Jabbar's time with the Milwaukee Bucks by the team's radio announcer, Eddie Doucette, who remarked that "that hook was so high that it was coming out of the sky".
Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson, one of the most famous Los Angeles Lakers players, was a leading scorer, repeat MVP, and a great hook shot player. In the 1987 NBA Finals, Johnson's hook shot won game four of the playoffs by just one point against the Celtics.
James Harden
During his time with the Houston Rockets and the Brooklyn Nets, Harden developed a unique hook shot strategy. Instead of creating distance between himself and his defender, he uses his closer arm to execute the hook shot. This often draws fouls from the defense, allowing Harden to showcase his accuracy in shooting free throws.
George Mikan
NBA's Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer George Mikan developed a powerful hook shot while playing for DePaul University in the mid-1940s.
Jerry Lucas
Jerry Lucas played for Ohio State and, 15 years after George Mikan, developed his own impressive hook shot.
Demetrius "Hook" Mitchell
Although he never made it to the NBA, Demetrius "Hook" Mitchell was a well-known streetball player in Oakland, California, during the late 1980s. Mitchell was listed as #11 on Complex magazine's list of the "20 Greatest Basketball Players to Never Play in the NBA."
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Frequently asked questions
A hook shot is a type of basketball shot where an offensive player throws up one arm over their head sideways to make a basket. The player usually turns perpendicular to the basket and gently throws the ball using a sweeping motion of the arm farther from the basket in an upward arc.
To do a hook shot, position yourself sideways so that your dominant or shooting hand with the ball is farthest from the basket. Jump with the foot closest to the basket and bring your bent shooting arm in a sweeping motion around your head, releasing the ball by snapping your wrist.
Some common variations of the hook shot include the baby hook, jump hook, and skyhook. The baby hook is similar to a skyhook but with a jump added for more leverage. The jump hook combines a jump shot with a hook shot, where the player jumps with both feet and shoots while in the air. The skyhook involves jumping off one foot while perpendicular to the hoop.
The hook shot is most effective when used close to the basket, near the blocks or in the paint. It can be a great way for smaller offensive players to score over bigger defenders. However, it is a difficult shot to master and should not be relied on exclusively.
