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How to Shoot a Basketball
Anyone can be a good shooter and make shots; but it takes a GREAT shooter to try and swish every shot. A great visual aid is to imagine that there are eggs sitting on the rim and you do not want to break any of the eggs.
Shooting Terminology & Technique
1. Toes to the Target: In addition to pointing your body in the same direction of the rim/goal/backboard about shoulders width apart, the prominent toe (Right for Right-handed shooter/Left for Left-handed shooter) should be slightly more forward. LA Clippers Asst. Coach Kevin Eastman teaches a similar terminology, “10 Toes to the Rim”.
2. Wrist/Wrinkles: Cocking your wrist as far back as possible will create wrinkles on the back of the wrist. These are necessity in order to put the proper backspin on the basketball upon your release. Placing backspin on your shot makes it a “softer” shot; meaning if it hits the rim it is more likely to bounce in than fly off the rim. 3. “L”: The Humerus and the Radius/Ulna should form an “L” with your shooting arm. This ensures that you start the ball in the correct position in order to put the proper arc on your shot. Additionally, you want to make sure the “L” is tucked in close to your body and not flying out like a chicken wing.
5. Knees Bent: The farther you become from your target, the more legs you need to incorporate into your shot.
8. Balance: Many coaches preach to land in the same exact spot in which you left the floor after a jumpshot. However, this is impossible in order to become a great shooter. The shooter should allow for the momentum to carry them forward just slightly (ie: If you shoot a 3-pointer, you should land just in front/on top of the 3-point line). While the shooter cannot land in the same place as they originally left their feet, they should however try to remain on balance and not drift one way or fade-away. If you ever watch one of the greatest shooters of all time, Ray Allen, he is always on balance on every shot he takes.
9. Balance-Hand : Refers to the non-shooting hand, this is the Balance-hand. The first time I heard that back in 2005 in Maryland, I thought that was the greatest teaching point I have ever heard in terms of shooting. Too many times players (Especially the young) start shooting with the form similar to a two handed chest pass. We have all also seen the thumb shooters; as the ball is released the thumb of the Balance-hand is pointing toward the target because the shooter pushed with their thumb on the release. Where does the balance hand go? Some players place it on top of the ball; this is incorrect as you are already blocking your own shot before the release. Other players place the balance hand beneath the ball looking as if they are preparing to bowl. The correct position of the balance hand is on the side of the ball, for Balance. Similar to the shooting hand, the ball should rest on the pads and finger tips of the basketball. Note: the thumbs should form a “T” on the basketball. As you begin momentum of your shot, make sure you maintain Wrist/Wrinkles, Pads/Panels, “L”, Knees Bent.
Once you begin to break/extend that “L” with your shooting arm, the Balance-hand should FREEZE as the basketball glides off on its journey to the target. Once you Freeze the Follow Through , your shooting elbow should be above your ear, wrist flicked (putting your hand in the rim), and the only part of your Balance-hand that you should see is your thumb and the side of your index finger. You should not be able to see the palm or back of your Balance-hand. One way to check this is to bend (Flexion) the elbow of the Balance-hand and only the tip of your thumb should touch your forehead.
The author of this article Dave Hopla has made it easier than ever for players who are fortunate enough to own an iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad to improve their shots. He has created his own App., iHopla. The App not only assists you in keeping track of your shots, but it also provides different shooting drills and workouts.
