Home > Player > Basketball Skills > Shooting > Proper Basketball Shooting Technique, Fundamentals, and Form
It's often said that great shooters have a place on any team.
Even if you aren't blessed with tremendous speed, strength or athleticism, great shooting is one of the surest ways you can stand out on the basketball court.
If you spend the time developing and practicing your shot, it will pay off in:
Making the team
Getting more playing time
Scoring consistently
Feeling confident and having fun every time you step on the floor
Now, let me start with some good news!
Yes, you do need very good shooting form and technique to shoot consistently well.
But it does NOT need to be "perfect".
If you watch enough great shooters, you'll see that their form varies quite a bit based on what's comfortable (and what works) for them.
But almost all great shooters follow the principles I'll explain in this article. So keep reading for (all the good stuff)!
In this section, we give you the raw form and mechanics of stationary shooting.
In other words, this section does NOT address the fundamentals of shooting on the move and more advanced footwork you'll need for game situations.
Here's a quick roadmap of the stationary shooting fundamentals that we'll be covering:
Eyes on Target
Stance and Balance
Shot Pocket
Grip
Balance Hand
Delivery
Upforce and Landing
Follow Through
Correct Shot
EYES ON TARGET
To improve accuracy, locate the target (rim) as early as possible.
Keep your eyes on the target and do not follow the flight of the ball.
Keeping your target focus is very important!
STANCE AND BALANCE
Feet are shoulder width apart for good balance.
Feet should be in a slightly staggered stance that is consistent and comfortable for you. Your shooting foot is slightly ahead of the non-shooting foot in a comfortable position.
Point your feet in the general direction of the basket, but not necessarily directly at it. We prefer an open stance, but you can also use the closed (squared) stance if that's more comfortable for you. With an open stance, your feet point towards one side of the basket. For example, a right handed shooter will point his or her feet just to the left of the rim for a more natural position and shooting motion.
Once you develop a comfortable stance, line up your feet the exact same way on every shot. Whatever stance you use, consistency is critical.
Flex/bend your knees on every shot.
SHOT POCKET
As you catch the ball, move it quickly into the shot pocket.
Line everything up so the ball and your shooting eye form a straight line to the basket. This is VERY important.
Position the ball several inches above your waist.
Grip the ball properly and be ready to shoot.
Position the ball in your shot pocket the SAME way every time you catch it.
GRIP
Place the air hole between the middle and index fingers.
Line up your fingertip pads parallel to the long seams of the ball, so you can monitor the back spin.
Leave space between the ball and the middle of your palm. You should be able to insert a pencil between the ball and your palm area.
Spread your fingers far enough apart to comfortably balance the ball in one hand.
The ball should sit on your finger pads.
BALANCE HAND
Your non-shooting hand should be on the side of the ball.
Your balance hand should not add force or spin to the shot.
Your non-shooting hand should not move on delivery and should ALWAYS come off the ball FIRST.
DELIVERY
The ball should start motion directly upwards from the shot pocket.
Your elbow should be positioned comfortably under the ball.
The ball stays in front of you and should not go behind your head.
Uncoil your body with your legs, core, and arm power all coordinated.
Your elbow and wrist should extend in a straight line to the basket.
Your shooting hand should extend in a straight line to the rim.
Hand position on delivery is very important. The ball should come off the hand with perfect symmetrical backspin.
As shown in the picture to the right, your guide hand stays to the side and does not influence the flight of the ball.
UPFORCE AND LANDING
Release the ball on the way up, just before the top of your jump.
Use your legs to generate upforce.
You should land in the same spot that you jumped, which shows that you have good balance on your shot.
FOLLOW-THROUGH
Your wrists should be floppy (relaxed).
Fingers should be pointed at the target (rim).
Finish high. You should see your fingers at the top square of the back board.
Hold your follow through position until the ball hits the rim.
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The different types of basketball scoring shots and how to execute them
Three point shoot by Sara Giauro (Phard Vomero Napoli) during FIBA Europe Cup Women Finals 2005 (Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Like most other ball games, to win in a game of basketball is to land more baskets or outscore your opponent and yield a higher field goal percentage.
Therefore, it is essential that you are familiar with the different ways that you are able to make a basket and score points. In this article, we will be sharing with you the different types of basketball scoring shots and how you can execute them.
To shoot accurately, square your shoulders to the basket and place your feet shoulder length apart. With your knees bent slightly and back leaning towards the basket, put the fingers of your shooting hand under the ball and tuck your elbows close to your body.
Flick your wrist towards the hoop to release the shot. Your index finger should follow through facing the basket after releasing the ball.
Here are a few commonly used types of shooting in basketball.
1. Jump Shot
A jump shot is most frequently used for a mid to long-range shots, including shooting beyond the arc.
To achieve balance when facing the basket for a jump shot, you have to take a wide stance, usually, shoulder width apart, bend your knees and square your shoulders.
Make a fluid, explosive upward leap and at the apex of the jump, follow through by shooting the ball.
When the ball is released at the apex of the jump shot, keep your elbows straight to ensure that it is pointed in the direction of the basket. Concentrate on the flicking of your wrist and holding it in position to provide the ball with momentum and spin.
2. Hook Shot
A hook shot is when the shot is made while your body is not directly facing the basket.
To execute a shoot shot, you need to face the basket sideways so that your shooting hand dribbling the ball is facing away from the basket. This is also the stance to help guard the ball against your opponent. This makes it difficult for your opponent to try to block the shot due to the distance created between you and your defender.
To make the shot, jump with your left foot pushing off the ground if you’re making a right-handed shot or vice versa. The shooting arm should be slightly bent, and it should thrust upwards as the ball is lobbed with a flick of the wrist.
The hook shot is a staple of many players in the National Basketball Association, including notable stars such as George Mikan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and Yao Ming.
3. Bank Shot
A bank shot is when any shot made where the ball hits the backboard before heading into the net.
To execute a bank shot, treat it as though you’re taking a jump shot but this time, aim slightly higher by shooting for the backboard.
Jumping higher can also sometimes mean jumping slightly backwards when aiming for the basket to prevent defenders from blocking the shot.
The ball should not be hitting the rim too much after bouncing off the backboard. The ball should then bounce off the backboard and into the net.
4. Free Throw
A free throw is a shot attempt given to a player that was fouled and it is taken on the free throw line. The player must stay behind the free throw line when taking the shot.
Before attempting to shoot, one must maintain their balance. Find the nail or dot in the middle of the free throw line and line your shooting foot against it. For right-handed shooters, the shooting foot will be the right foot and vice versa.
Your elbow on your shooting hand must be lined up to make an “L” right under the ball with fingers spread out for the backspin.
Aim for the back of the rim with your eyes focusing on the rims, do not look at the ball while you execute the shot.
Follow through your shot by keeping your hands up in the air for a second or two after releasing the ball.
5. Layup
A layup is a shot made from short range by a player moving towards the basket. Usually utilising the backboard if he approaches the hoop from an angle. This is also one of the most basic and common way of scoring a basket in the game.
To execute a layup, dribble the ball towards the basket. If you’re on the right flank, dribble the ball with your right hand.
At the three-point line, or within two metres from the basket, take two giant strides towards the hoop and attempt to score by throwing the ball at the top corner of the backboard or lay the ball gently into the basket.
6. Slam Dunk
The dunk is usually the most spectacular shot and is one of the toughest feats in basketball.
It usually requires more jumping ability than shooting skills.
To execute a slam dunk, dribble and charge towards the hoop when ready to execute the dunk.
Jump explosively to get as high as possible and leap towards the hoop. Lift the ball above the rim and push or slam it forcefully through the rim.
Most people jump off one foot, but you might find that you can jump higher off both feet. So there you have it, six ways of scoring in basketball. Start practicing and perhaps find out which way works for your best, depending on your role and position in the team.
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Our qualified coaches from the top level of the game in Singapore will give your child a sound grounding in the fundamentals. While more advanced players can look forward to a pathway to expand their game, to find out more details or to register, visit this link here.
Punishment heavenly.
The most dangerous move in basketball
The Sportbox.ru reviewer looks back on one of the most formidable weapons of the NBA's greatest center, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and explains why such an effective move in basketball has become a relic of the past.
I don't like the words "greatness" and "legendary". It always seemed to me that for all their pathos, they sound very mean. They are used when there is no time, opportunity or desire to specify what is the uniqueness and originality of this or that character, work of art, act. Meanwhile, every greatness has its own distinct trait: Diego Maradona's run against England at the 1986 World Cup, the creeping flight of Michael Jordan, who later became the visual personification of an entire industry, Usain Bolt, pointing to the sky after another sprint record. These poses, captured for history, are something like paintings, summing up the accomplishments of their authors. Some are sweeping, bold, others are smooth, verified.
Karim Abdul-Jabbar's painting against the background of all the others looks not just clear, but mathematically impeccable. And even though he did not invent the hook throw (this technique was used before him by the progenitors of the center position, George Mikan and Cliff Hagan), but it was Jabbar who raised the hook to the rank of art, made it a personal hallmark and proved that this is a throw against which, in principle, it is impossible to defend , is a lethal weapon on the basketball court.
It is not necessary to invent something to be remembered by posterity. Cavemen invented drawing, but people will always remember the names of Da Vinci and Van Gogh. No one knows who Dean Berry is, the Georgetown University reserve point guard who played in the 19 season95/96 for a total of 50 minutes. But it was he who, at one of the training sessions, approached the still young Allen Iverson and showed him how best to do the crossover, which then became synonymous with the style of play of the daring playmaker.
Even before converting to Islam and taking the name of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the very young Lew Alcindor was diligently honing his hook throw on the grounds of New York. “I played against guys much older than me, and this was the only shot after which the ball did not fly off in my face after another block shot. Therefore, I learned it at an early age and could perform it even at speed, without prior preparation, ”Jabbar explains his choice.
In the future, fate gave the player another incentive to focus on improving what he was already far from an ignoramus. While playing for the university team, Alcindor became the target of one of the most significant cases of racial segregation. The NCAA leadership, citing the player's excessive dominance, forbade him to score from above. Each Alcindor dunk was punishable by two free throws and a return of the ball to the opponent. The same penalty as for a technical foul. Liu adapted and used the circumstances to keep improving. The result - three championships in a row and 88 matches won out of 90.
All this shot lacked was a catchy name, but this "problem" was quickly dealt with by Eddie Doucette, a Milwaukee staff commentator who was Jabbar's first team in the NBA. During the next throw, Doucette said in amazement: “Did you see this hook throw?! The ball flew along such a trajectory, as if it had fallen from heaven - this is a skyhook.
And, indeed, Jabbar raised this technique not just to the rank of art, but rather even brought out the basketball theory of mechanics. Every movement during the execution of the hook was precisely justified and verified. The next few sentences will be like an excerpt from a physics textbook, but still try to realize how much physical and mental work needs to be done in order to bring this work to automatism.
You don't have to jump high to be efficient. The main thing is that the pushing leg is in tension even in the jump phase. A vertical straight line, which can be visually drawn from the toe of the pushing leg and further up, serves as a kind of axis for the entire structure. To increase the center of gravity and, thereby, increase the ability to control the balance, Jabbar squeezed his right leg at the knee. To increase the distance between the defender, he extended his left arm, and thus the opponent was isolated from the throwing arm not only by the body of the center, but also by additional space.
But the main thing was not even all of that. “When you throw with a hook, you force the defender to wait for the moment when you jump up. And since this throw consists of more elements than the standard one, the defender somehow tries to calculate the distance and time to block you. And while he is busy with all this calculation, you have the advantage of surprise. Plus, all these thoughts take a fraction of a second, and most often the guardians simply do not have enough time to block the hook, ”Jabbar explained.
Many searched for an antidote. At first, they tried to patronize Jabbar together, but both in the Bucks and in the Lakers, Karim had such partners, a pass to which brought almost the same guaranteed two points. Jabbar, Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Jamal Wilks, Michael Cooper - choosing which one to double guard against is like choosing how to commit suicide. A free player, albeit not with a hook, but still scores.
Others tried to block the old fashioned way, but even here no one could find a refutation of Jabbar's theory. “I don't remember anyone blocking my hook. Maybe there were a couple of times, but in those cases when I simply did not see the second player. Manute Bol (the famous Sudanese center with a height of 231 centimeters) was 13 centimeters taller than me and repeatedly tried to cover me, but it never came out, ”summarizes Jabbar.
But like any art form, hook throwing has had to undergo changes over time, and radical ones at that. Today, few people have this throw in their arsenal. For modern centers, it is too difficult, especially in the current pace of the game. In addition, it requires a whole set of initial data from the player: a soft brush, plasticity, polished movements. In modern realities, centers are more focused on the physical game, they devote more time to working in the gym, and the growth of muscle mass directly affects the above components. Many fifth numbers hardly convert free throws, to say nothing of the hook throw.
And, perhaps most importantly, each time has its own characteristics, and the words of another outstanding Lakers center, Shaquille O'Neal, speak about this best of all. “This is one of the most effective shots in the history of basketball, but I am a child of hip-hop and the 90s, for me it simply does not look cool,” Shaq admits with a guilty smile.
And there is much more truth in this than meets the eye. “Hook throwing is not a technique that makes girls squeal. However, it requires constant polishing. I worked on him knowing that I would use him to become the highest scoring player in NBA history. I had a goal and I achieved it. Modern guys have different goals, and for many it simply does not make sense to spend so much time working out the hook,” Jabbar said.
And, indeed, the end justifies the means. The modern NBA moves further and further away from the rim every year and moves towards the 3-point line. Centers such as the Gasoli brothers, Jonas Valanciunas, Anthony Davis and many others are increasingly attacking from behind the arc, thus defining and confirming the evolution of basketball. You don't have to live by past values. This does not mean at all that they have devalued today, they just have no price. It's like trying to pay with rare doubloons at the nearest diner. The best way out is not to forget about the legacy of great basketball players and focus not on their unique features, but on the efficiency and diligence that they used to achieve them.
FIBA certified the ecological ball of VTB United League, despite the difficulties - Basketball
FIBA certified the ecological ball, which will be used in the new season of the VTB United League, despite the difficulties.
“The matches of the new season of the VTB United League will be played with an eco-friendly ball, this is a story about the fact that polymers are recyclable. Unfortunately, the position in society often considers polymers to be rubbish: received-used-thrown away. When necessary: received-used-gave the opportunity to be recycled and become something useful. The VTB United League collects plastic bottles through the Basketbottle project, we help with administration, and the collected bottles are recycled. The inner layer of the ball is made from recycled plastic bottles.
There was a long FIBA ball certification process, but we were able to complete it. This was the difficulty, why this was not done before, ”TASS reports the words of the head of the Sibur holding, Dmitry Konov.
The new VTB League season starts on September 25th. All matches will be played with an eco-friendly ball developed by Sibur and Wilson. For the manufacture of the ball, approximately two one and a half liter plastic bottles are used.
Why is the basketball orange?
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The shooting arm should be slightly bent, and it should thrust upwards as the ball is lobbed with a flick of the wrist. 
Usually utilising the backboard if he approaches the hoop from an angle. This is also one of the most basic and common way of scoring a basket in the game. 
The most dangerous move in basketball 
And even though he did not invent the hook throw (this technique was used before him by the progenitors of the center position, George Mikan and Cliff Hagan), but it was Jabbar who raised the hook to the rank of art, made it a personal hallmark and proved that this is a throw against which, in principle, it is impossible to defend , is a lethal weapon on the basketball court. 
“I played against guys much older than me, and this was the only shot after which the ball did not fly off in my face after another block shot. Therefore, I learned it at an early age and could perform it even at speed, without prior preparation, ”Jabbar explains his choice. 
During the next throw, Doucette said in amazement: “Did you see this hook throw?! The ball flew along such a trajectory, as if it had fallen from heaven - this is a skyhook. 
To increase the distance between the defender, he extended his left arm, and thus the opponent was isolated from the throwing arm not only by the body of the center, but also by additional space. 
A free player, albeit not with a hook, but still scores. 
Many fifth numbers hardly convert free throws, to say nothing of the hook throw. 
Centers such as the Gasoli brothers, Jonas Valanciunas, Anthony Davis and many others are increasingly attacking from behind the arc, thus defining and confirming the evolution of basketball. You don't have to live by past values. This does not mean at all that they have devalued today, they just have no price. It's like trying to pay with rare doubloons at the nearest diner. The best way out is not to forget about the legacy of great basketball players and focus not on their unique features, but on the efficiency and diligence that they used to achieve them. 
When necessary: received-used-gave the opportunity to be recycled and become something useful. The VTB United League collects plastic bottles through the Basketbottle project, we help with administration, and the collected bottles are recycled. The inner layer of the ball is made from recycled plastic bottles. 
It's for his own good.” 1 
