How to make sure you always score in basketball. Every basketball player aspires to be a great basketball player.
Anyone who enters a gym will see this immediately.
You’ll be amazed at the number of players as young and as old as 5 years old making shots behind the 3-point line.
It is more important than ever to learn how to shoot a basketball well, with players such as Steph Curry and Damian Lillard.
This is the only problem…
It is not easy to become a great photographer. To shoot consistently well, you need to have a great shooting technique and form.
It doesn’t have to be perfect
You’ll notice that the form of great shooters varies based on their comfort level and what they like.
The principles I will explain here are almost universally followed by great shooters. Keep reading to find the best!
How to always make a shot in basketball
Stationary Basketball Shooting Form and Technique
This section explains the mechanics and raw form of stationary shooting.
This means that this section doesn’t address the fundamentals of shooting on a move or the advanced footwork required for game situations.
Eyes on Target
- You can improve your accuracy by locating the target (rim), as soon as you can.
- Focus your attention on the target, not the ball’s flight.
- It is important to keep your focus on the target.
Stance and Balance
- For good balance, feet should be at least shoulder-width apart.
- Your feet should be slightly stooped so that they are consistent and comfortable. In a comfortable position, your shooting foot should be slightly ahead of your non-shooting one.
- Your feet should point in the direction of the basket. But not directly. An open stance is our preferred, but you have the option to use the squared (closed) stance if it’s more comfortable. An open stance means that your feet are pointed towards the basket. A right-handed shooter, for example, will aim his feet towards the left side of the basket to create a natural shooting position.
- When you have mastered a comfortable stance, make sure to line your feet up the same way every time. No matter what stance you take, consistency is key.
- Every shot, bend or flex your knees.
Shot Pocket
- Move the ball quickly into the shot pocket as you catch it.
- Line up everything so that the ball and your eye are in a straight line towards the basket. This is very important.
- Place the ball several inches higher than your waist.
- Be sure to grip the ball well and get ready for your shot.
- Every time you catch the ball, position it in the same spot.
Grip
- Place the air hole between your index and middle fingers.
- To monitor the backspin, align your fingers parallel to the seams of the ball.
- You should leave space between your palm and the ball. Between the ball and your palm, you should be able to insert a pencil.
- Spread your fingers so that you can comfortably balance the ball with one hand.
- Place the ball on your fingers.
Balance Hand
- Your non-shooting side should be towards the ball.
- Your balance hand shouldn’t add any force or spin to your shot.
- Your non-shooting arm should not move upon delivery. The ball should always come off your hand FIRST.
Delivery
- The shot pocket should be the starting point for the ball’s upward motion.
- Your elbow should be comfortably below the ball.
- The ball should stay in front of your head and not behind it.
- Your arms, core, and legs should be aligned to uncoil your body.
- Your wrist and elbow should be straight in line with the basket.
- Your shooting hand should be straight and parallel to the rim.
- It is important to position your hand when you deliver the ball. Perfect symmetrical backspin should ensure that the ball lands in the right hand.
- Your guide hand should remain to the side, as shown in the image to the right. This does not affect the ball’s flight.
Landing and Upforce
Just before you reach the top of your jump, release the ball.
To generate more force, use your legs.
Land in the exact spot you jumped from. This indicates that you are balanced.
Follow-Through
You should relax your wrists.
Your fingers should point at the target (rim).
Finish high. Your fingers should be positioned at the top of the backboard.
Keep your follow-through position until you see the ball touch the rim.
Three Important Shooting Facts
Before we get into the details of how to shoot a basketball properly, here are three things that I want you all to remember.
The most important skill in basketball is shooting
We should not be fooled…
Shooting is the most important skill in basketball.
It is even more important to rebound.
It is just as important to do the footwork.
It is not more important to pass.
These skills are still valuable, but not as important as the ability to shoot the basketball at a high standard.
We will all be better basketball shooters if we all accept this sooner than later.
A great shooter will not only bring you more points, but it will also help your teammates (we’ll discuss this more later).
Shooters are NOT born. They ARE developed
It is unlikely that anyone on Earth was born with the ability to shoot a basketball at a high standard.
Steph Curry is not the one.
Ray Allen is not the one.
Not Reggie Miller.
Kevin Durant?
All these players started their lives with the same shooting ability that you, me, and all other players had…None.
“So, what is the difference between them and the rest of us?”
Through hours of practice and repetitions in the gym, they became some of the best basketball shooters ever to step on a court.
A basketball player who hopes to be a great shooter must be willing and able to work hard for years.
Only a few players are willing to put in the effort to become a great shooter.
For many years, I have been involved in the game of basketball…
I have seen very few great shooters in all of that time.
“Why is this?”
99.999% of players don’t want to work hard to be great.
Don’t be afraid…
This is a great thing!
If you’re one of those few people who are willing to work hard (and I hope so), you can be one of the few great shooters in the game today.