The Art of Shooting Form

Shooting. From the moment we pick up our first basketball, it’s all we want to do. And for good reason. Seeing that ball float through the middle of the net is the pinnacle of perfection. Sending a wave of instant gratification that leaves us hungry to recreate the experience. Conversely, watching the ball clank off the rim after an errant shot ignites feelings of intense failure and inadequacy. “I’ll never be good enough.” “My friends were right!”.

Maybe not that extreme… but it certainly is nice to have the ball go through the net more often than not. It is the mark of a good shooter after all. And I’m here to help with your percentages!

Hand Placement

Start by grabbing a basketball, making sure it’s pumped with air, and head out to a local hoop. Preferably one with a net or chain, to make those rebounds easier. Balance the basketball on the fingertips of your dominant shooting hand, leaving an inch or so of space between your palm and the bottom of the basketball. It’s very important that your palm is not touching the basketball, because it can affect the smoothness of the release. Having the ball on your fingertips insures a clean release with more accuracy and control.

Place your non-dominant hand on the side of the basketball (The left hand, for me). This will be your guiding hand-a steady anchor that helps keep the ball still and in line. The left hand should not move when you shoot the ball.

Shooting up Close

A great drill to practice keeping the fingertips on the ball and cleanly releasing, is by taking shots close to the rim. Start on the side of the basket with your body facing the rim. Place the bottom of the ball on your fingertips, in an active shooting position. Rest your left hand on the side of the ball, and practice shooting by flicking the wrist of your right hand. Focus on getting a smooth, clean release. If you’re ready, incorporate a slight extension of the legs to add some rhythm to your shot. It’s not a big jump with a push off the ground, rather, a light rocking motion, extending upwards. Once you’ve started seeing more shots go through the rim, it’s time to extend your range.

Outside Shooting

Walk to the free throw line, and align your body with the rim, as before. It’s at this range that your shot needs an extra boost from the main power drivers-the legs. It is easy to assume that the arm is providing most of the power in the shot, because it’s the final “flick” of the wrist that propels the ball to the hoop. But, power starts from the ground up. You may have noticed that the longer a basketball game goes on, your shooting accuracy starts to diminish. This is because the legs are getting tired, sapping the rhythm and consistency of your shot.

Position the legs shoulder width apart, even closer. This is largely based on comfort and can be adjusted according to what feels the most natural to you.

In a rhythmic motion, bend your knees and jump off the ground while releasing the ball toward the hoop. Your legs should feel in-sync with your arms during the shot. Practice taking a few shots in this fashion at different points around the rim, and take note of which direction you’re missing in. Are you missing left, right, short, long? Adjust your shooting motion to reduce those errors.

Where to Focus the Eyes During the Shot

Look where you want to aim the ball. I prefer to focus my eyes on the front of the rim throughout the entire shot. It feels most comfortable to me, and nets my highest shooting percentage. But, it’s not universally recommended. Other experts would say to look at the back of the rim, or even in the middle of the rim. Start by looking at the front of the rim but don’t be afraid to experiment with the different styles and keep track of which yields the highest percentage of made shots. As a shooter, vision is your faithful ally.

Final Notes

The art of shooting is a very personal craft that can be tailored to fit the individual. The techniques I laid out to you are important fundamentals for a great shot, but they are not meant to box you in to a carbon copy of my form. Get creative and enjoy the process of experimenting with different techniques. Things to tinker with include the height of release, the position of your arms in relation to your body, the alignment of your body with the rim, and more. Enjoy the process of creating your unique shot.

https://youtu.be/MJTY2wN7Dz4