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How to make swishes in basketball
How to make swishes in basketball
What is a Swish in Basketball - What Makes it So Special?
A swish in basketball occurs when the ball goes directly through the hoop without touching the backboard or rim. The ball traveling through the hoop sounds like a “swish,” hence the phrase. Basketball players from high school to the NBA can admire that sound because it represents a perfect basketball shot.
So, when did the swish become part of basketball lingo? What is an example of a swish shot during a game? Here is the complete breakdown of what a swish shot is in basketball.
A Brief History of the Hoop
James Naismith was the creator of basketball in 1891 out in Springfield, Massachusetts. During that time, basketball hoops were peach baskets that did not have holes, which meant a ladder was necessary to receive the ball.
As the years went by, the peach basket became an actual hoop with metal nets, but they were closed at the end, so no swish sound was present.![]()
In 1912, the basketball hoop changed to be an open net at the bottom to allow the basketball to fall through on a successful shot.
As time went by with the hoop change, basketball began gaining more fans and subscribers, and the term “swish” became more mainstream. While it is difficult to say who got the first official swish shot, the word was now part of the basketball language and quickly became the lingo that fans and announcers would describe a perfect shot due to the sound it would make going through a hoop.
“The Coward” Book Recognition of the Swish Phrase
Trebor Yarrun wrote a book in 1913 called “The Coward” that had a protagonist playing college basketball. In the book, Dempsey Darden, the protagonist, described taking a half eclipse mid-air shot that went straight through the basket. That shot going straight through the basket was described as a “swish” since that was the sound it made as it went through the hoop.
Many fans like to point to that book as the reason that phrase began growing in popularity in basketball during the early 1900s.
Why is it Called a Swish in Basketball?
It is a swish when the basketball ball goes through the hoop without hitting the rim or backboard. The phrase “swish” is an onomatopoeia, representing the sound that the net (or chain) makes as the ball goes through it without hitting anything else. When playing basketball with a chain net, the “swish sound” is more pronounced than what you hear with a standard net. Chain nets are more common in outside basketball courts since they are more durable than rope nets.
What Does “Nothing But Net” Mean in Basketball?
The phrase “Nothing But Net” means a swish shot in basketball. Since the basketball doesn’t hit the backboard or rim, the ball technically traveled through the hoop with nothing but net. This phrase is also popular to hear during basketball games from announcers and broadcasters.
You will also hear this phrase during soccer games. This soccer phrase is common when the ball travels through the air and hits the back of the net during a score.
What Does Swoosh Mean in Basketball?
A swoosh in a basketball game means the same as a swish in basketball. The swoosh is the sound of the ball going through the net without hitting the rim or backboard. Therefore, you can describe the perfect shot as a swoosh or a swish without any problem.
How Many Points is a Swish Shot in Basketball?
A shooter making a swish basket doesn’t receive any additional points for their perfect shot. The basket counts for where that shot took place. For example, if the basketball shooter took the shot from beyond the three-point arc and made it in the basket, that will count as three points even if it is a swish.
What are Examples of Swish Basketball Moments?
An example of a swish is when a player makes a field goal without having the ball touch the backboard or the rim. A swish can also occur on three-pointers, layups, and even on free throw attempts. The latter, free throw attempts, doesn’t get as much recognition from broadcasters because it is an uncontested shot, but everything else gets praise for the perfect shot.
What Swish Shot Gets the Most Attention from Fans and Broadcasters?
A three-point swish tends to get the most attention since it is over 23 feet away from the hoop in the NBA. NCAA College Basketball’s three-point line sits just over 22 feet from the ring, and in WNBA and International Games, the three-point line is 20.6 feet from the hoop. Basketball shooting from the three-point line in any league is already difficult, and getting it to be a swish is extremely impressive due to the ball angle you need to achieve.
How Do You Get Better at Swish Shots in Basketball?
The best way to increase your chances of being a swisher in basketball is practice. Basketball coaches recommend that you start close to the hoop and work on your arc to get the ball to land through the hoop without hitting the backboard or rim. As you get more comfortable with that distance, start moving further back to work on those arcs.
Conclusion: What is a Swish in Basketball
In summary, a swish in basketball represents a shot that goes into the hoop without touching the rim or backboard.
The phrase “swish” is an onomatopoeia since that represents the sound of the ball going through the net or chain without hitting anything else. During basketball games, you might hear fans call it “nothing but net” or “swoosh,” which all mean the same thing.
A swish doesn’t give a basketball team additional points, but it is still an accomplishment by a player making a perfect shot. Seeing a perfect shot during a basketball game is incredible, and seeing one from beyond the three-point arc is even more special. Making a three-point swish means that you gave the basketball the exact height, angle, and push to go directly into the basket without hitting anything else.
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21 Easy Ways to Improve Your Basketball Shooting Percentage – The Breakthrough Basketball Blog
Tip #1 – Locate Your Target (the Rim) Earlier
Getting in the habit of locating your target (the rim) earlier will improve your shooting percentage.
Why?
Locating the rim just a split second earlier gives your brain more time to subconsciously calculate distance and focus on your objective. Your eyes should be on the rim as early as possible. To make this little trick work, you need to develop this habit in practice, which carries over into games.
Tip #2 – Always Hold Your Follow Through
You’ve probably heard this a hundred times but there’s good reason for it. Holding your follow through solves a multitude of shooting problems. This simple movement helps you maintain good basketball shooting technique without even thinking about it.
Tip #3 – Finish with a Relaxed Wrist
A common mistake is for players to follow-through with a tense wrist. Your wrist should be as relaxed as possible. Your hand should finish on line and even bounce a little during the follow-through.
Tip #4 – Use a Colored Ball to Improve Rotation
To improve the straightness of your shot, try a colored basketball during practice.
This makes it easy to see the rotation and direction of the ball. The immediate feedback makes it quick and easy for you to adjust and improve your shot.
Tip #5 – Don’t Shoot like Kobe (By Hanging In The Air)
TOO many kids try to copy Kobe and end up with bad shots for the REST OF THEIR LIVES!
Youngsters have no business trying to hang like Kobe and shoot. Kobe is a freak of nature! You should shoot as you’re going up (at least 1 inch before you reach the top of your jump). Trying to mimic Kobe’s shot will just earn you a place on the bench and lots of frustration.
Tip #6 – Stop Thinking about Your Shot During Games
One of the worst things you can do is think about your shooting mechanics during a game.
Thinking about your shot is for practice, NOT for games! In fact, you should only think during certain parts of your practice. It’s ok to think during a form shooting session or when learning a new skill, but once you start developing rhythm and get further into practice, don’t think!
During games, train yourself to think about other things or nothing at all.
You’re going to miss a few. So what! Don’t think, just shoot the damn ball!!!
If you adopt this mentality, your shooting percentage will go UP.
Tip # 7 – Eliminate Negative Thoughts with this Simple Trick
Eliminating negative thoughts can dramatically improve your basketball shooting percentage.
To stop thinking and eliminate bad thoughts, you can try this little trick…
Before each game, practice, and shooting session, tell yourself that you don’t care if you make any baskets. Say it out loud or in your head several times.
THEN, when you go to shoot (right as you’re catching the ball), say something to yourself like, “Nice shot. I can do better.” In other words, try not to care if it goes in or not.
This simple little trick helps you to relax into the process and not think about the result. Using this technique will be enough to break you out of mini slumps and restore your confidence.
Tip #8 – Develop Optimal Arc
DID YOU KNOW that a shot with a flat 35 degree arc only has .
6 inches of margin for the ball to clear without hitting the rim? The shot has to be almost perfect to get a swish.
BUT a shot with a 45 degree medium height arc has a 3 inch margin of error!
That’s right. Just by increasing the arc of your shot, your margin of error could increase as much as 500%!
How many shots bounce OUT of the basket because you missed by just a fraction?
As a general rule of thumb, finish your follow through with the rim clearly visible beneath the fingers of your shooting hand. That way you will ensure that you have a decent arc on the shot. Shots with proper arch have a much better chance of going in.
Just don’t go too high. Because if your arc gets too high, you’ll loose your distance control.
Tip #9 – Watch DVDs
Simply by watching great shooters groove their shots over and over, you can improve your confidence and form.
The good habits and examples can be contagious. As you watch, the good form becomes ingrained in your mind.
Not to mention, you should never stop learning. There are lots of good shooting DVDs and books for you to learn from.
Tip #10 – Use a Partner to Tune your Shot Alignment
Spend a little time during each practice lined up along a court line about 20 feet from a partner, shooting back and forth and trying to have the ball bounce as close to the line as possible. This simple practice technique will help you to fine tune your control of the precision of your shot.
Tip #11 – Land In Front
Balance is a very important aspect of shooting. You achieve balance primarily through a proper stance and footwork.
After your shot, you should land in front of where you started. You can do this by making sure that your momentum is going towards the basket on every catch. You should also establish good balance from your stance.
Tip #12 – Film Your Shot
You’d be amazed at how filming your shot in both games and practices can help you.
The most common response from players is… “That’s how I shoot!!??”
That’s right. Most players haven’t seen their own shot before. Seeing your shot on film can help you to detect poor mechanics and motivate you to make commitments for improvement. Bottom line– it’s a great way to refine your shot.
Tip #13 – Get a Partner
When possible, try to shoot with a partner. Because when you’re alone, you end up chasing the rebound before following through properly.
This is important. Think about how you practice…
You shoot and then you start following the shot immediately so you can get lots of reps. Guess what? This can mess up your follow-through. You need to FINISH each shot and hold your follow-through. That’s why we recommend getting a partner to rebound for you. Now just because you can’t find a partner you can (and should) still practice by yourself. Just be aware of holding your follow through.
Tip #14 – Fix Bad Habits by Immediately Correcting Your Shot
This is one of the easiest ways to break bad shooting habits.
For example, let’s say you forgot to hold your follow-through. Well, immediately after you shoot, raise your hand back up and put your hand in the correct follow-through position. This simple technique will help you quickly correct the bad habit
Tip #15 – Use a Return Device
Using basketball rebounding and return devices can literally double the number of shots you can take in practice. Just think how much time you spend chasing the ball when you practice. A return device solves that problem and lets you take more shots in less time.
Tip #16 – Get To Set
When you catch the ball, you should get the ball to your set position as quickly as possible. This will speed up your shot. Your set point can be anywhere between your hip and your shoulder.
Tip #17 – Don’t Fall for Gimmicks
Too many players spend their hard earned money on shooting gloves and gimmicks, thinking this will make them great shooters.
You can’t use these devices during a game so it really doesn’t do you much good. You need to learn how to shoot effectively without these devices. There is NO magic pill.
Tip # 18 – Keep Your Shot Motion Balanced, Fluid, and Consistent
A fluid motion means that there are no jerky movements or stopping points, just one constant flow from start to finish.
Consistency can’t be stressed enough. Your feet, arms, set point, and jump height should use a consistent motion every time you shoot. All the greatest shooters in the world have amazingly consistent movements.
Tip #19 – Groove 50 Shots Before Every Game
Before every practice and game, face the basket and shoot 50 EASY shots about four to ten feet from the basket.
Not only does this improve your shooting form, but it helps to develop phenomenal confidence.
You’ll quickly become very good at grooving these shots over and over. You’ll see the ball going in the basket over and over.
You’ll swish the ball repeatedly and probably shoot 60%, 70%, 80%, or more, which is great for your psyche.
Why do you think that NBA players do this before games? Why do you think that Tiger Woods starts all of his practice sessions by making 100 three-foot putts?
Because it works! Don’t overlook this powerful strategy.
Tip #20 – Quickly Chart Your Shot to Determine Tendencies
Head to the gym and shoot a bare minimum of 50 shots. Ask your partner to chart your shots. The KEY is to chart the detailed results of each shot. You will track how many shots fell short, too long, to the left, and to the right. This information will help you to determine what you need to work on.
For example, if you consistently miss short (like many players do), you’ll need to work on your power and distance control. If you consistently miss to the right and the left, you need to fix the mechanics of your foot and/or arm alignment.
Tip #21 – Work Game-Like Movement into Your Practice
To make game shots, you need to practice game shots.
You should use good shooting drills and practice movement off screens, cuts, chairs, and pivoting in both directions.
Get to the Gym and Apply What You’ve Learned
There ya go… 21 simple ways for you to improve your basketball shooting percentage. Now get to the gym, apply what you’ve learned, and knock down more shots!!
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Basketball Referee Gestures: Classification and Description
From Masterweb
23.02.2018 16:39
Basketball rules exist for the same assessment of any game action or event on the court. Referee gestures are the embodiment of these rules. Gestures are designed to visually and quickly guide the game and explain to the referee's table, players and spectators what is happening on the playing floor and around it.
Without them and their identical interpretation, basketball would turn into chaos, full of conflicts, discrepancies and disputes.
Who are the judges?
Referee gestures in basketball are the prerogative of referees who work directly on the court. In addition, the refereeing team consists of table officials, the match commissioner, operators of timing and information on the scoreboard, as well as secretaries who keep game statistics. For these people, the gestures of referees in basketball and their meanings are clear and simple, but for a simple, not very venerable fan, the referee's pantomime can raise many questions. In order to understand the intricacies of basketball, delve into game situations and get the most out of the game, knowledge of at least the basic referee signs is simply necessary.
Classification
Conventionally, the gestures of the referee in the game of basketball can be divided into three categories, which relate to:
administrative duties of referees and time; throws; violations of the rules and game fouls.
Administrative and timing gestures
Inviting teams to the court - short wave of the hand towards you. Time out - one palm is parallel to the floor, the index finger is perpendicularly attached to it, forming a semblance of the letter T. Replacement - arms crossed in front of the chest. The connection of the judges with the referee's table is an outstretched hand with a thumb raised up. Stop time, this gesture precedes almost all other gestures of referees in basketball - a raised hand with an open palm. Stopping playing time after a foul - a raised hand with a clenched fist, the other hand points to the offender. Start time - wave forward with a raised hand. The renewed countdown of 24 seconds allotted to the team for possession of the ball is a circular motion with the index finger of the raised hand. Violation of the 24-second rule - touching the fingers of the shoulder. Countdown of 5 (when throwing the ball in from behind the end line) and 8 seconds, during which the team in possession of the ball must leave its own half - wave-counts with an open palm at chest level.
Violation of these rules of 5 and 8 seconds - showing, respectively, five and eight fingers extended in front of the palms. Violation of the three second rule - outstretched hand with three fingers. Player numbers - 0 - palm folded in a circle; 1 to 9- fingers; a fist means the number ten, a clenched fist and fingers of the left hand indicate numbers from 11 to 15; in all other numbers, the right fist is first clenched, then the number of tens in the number is shown with the right hand, and only then the units are indicated with the fingers.
Basketball referee gestures related to shooting situations
Valid two-point shot - raised hand with two fingers, and then a sharp downward movement of the wrist. Three-point attempt - a sharply raised hand with three fingers bent. Three-point hit - both hands raised up with three fingers.
Disallowed Throw - Arms quickly spread out in front of you from a crossed position. Foul Potted - First, a gesture is made that counts the hit, and then the hand with one finger is raised up.
Free throw assignment - first the hand is raised up with a fist and then points to the foul line with one, two or three fingers, depending on the number of free throws. When breaking a free kick - with one throw, one hand with the index finger is raised, when breaking through two throws, both hands are raised, when breaking through three free throws, both hands with three fingers are raised.
Referee gestures related to fouls and possession of the ball
Double dribbling - movement of both hands in front of you up and down. Playing with the foot - the finger points to the foot. Jogging - rotation in front of you with your hands with clenched fists. Carrying the ball - half-spin with one hand. Hand Strike - A slashing motion with one hand on the wrist of the other. Delay - grabbing the palm of the wrist of the other hand. Blocking - the judge puts both hands on the hips. Illegal play with the elbows - movement of the bent elbow to the side. A push or collision of basketball players not in possession of the ball - a push is imitated with the hands.
Collision of a basketball player with the ball - a fist strike into an open palm. Offensive foul - a hand with a clenched fist is thrown forward. Mutual foul - crossing over the head of the hands with clenched fists. Technical foul - palms form the letter T.
Unsportsmanlike foul - grabbing the palm of the other hand above the head. Removal of a coach or player - two hands with clenched fists raised above the head Violation of the zone rule - alternately pointing a finger at different halves of the court. Drop ball - Raised hands with thumbs up. Possession of the ball after it has gone out of bounds or after a violation - the referee points with his finger in the direction of the ring that the team in possession of the ball is attacking.
Basketball practice hacks: how to score goals for beginners
Even if you are a novice basketball player, we will not give you a training plan, but we will tell you why the ball flies anywhere but into the ring and into your hands.
It's all about technique: even with regular training and perseverance, novice adults and children often make simple mistakes. It's a shame, let's fix it. Below are 11 life hacks on how to hone your technique to increase the likelihood of a goal for your team.
Basketball Shot Rules for Beginners
1. Hands up
In pursuit of the attacker, raise your hands, even if you are standing with your back to the pass, and even more so if the ring is in front of you. Your raised hands will increase the chance of intercepting the ball from the opponent by 2 times. Don't overlook this little thing!
2. Make shield rolls
Even Tim Duncan did not neglect them! A square is drawn on the basketball backboard. If you are standing opposite the ring, then aim at the middle of the upper part of the square, if you are standing on the side, then at the corner. If you hit this square, then the ball is at 90% of cases will fall into the ring. The law of physics and no cheating!
3.
Look at the ring, not the ball
Practice driving the ball with your hand, not your eyes, develop tactile control. Your eyes should be on the hoop while dribbling and be aware of the position of your body in relation to the hoop. Then you will be able to take the correct posture, and the throw will be effective.
4. Dribble with the balls of your fingers only
The palm should not touch the ball, only the pads of the fingers. Dribbling should become familiar to you, like an extension of your hand. Then you can change its trajectory at any time and you will have more chances to score goals. Practice with the ball constantly.
5. Throw with one hand
If you throw the ball with two hands, you reduce the chance of hitting the basket. All the efforts of the throw are in one hand (in the right for right-handers, in the left for left-handers). The other hand only holds the ball, the leading one holds it with the fingers, not the palm.
6.
Do not jump when protecting the ring
Jumping is the main mistake of rookie defenders. To intercept the ball and block the shot, simply stick out your hands. When you are in a jump, the attacker will easily bypass you.
7. Don't look back
When you dribble, don't look back, but dribble and aim for the ring, focus on shooting (or passing to another player on your team).
8. Bring the throw to automatism
Incorporate the most basic basketball techniques into your training plan and bring the shot to automatism. Throw first from a distance of half a meter from the ring, gradually increasing it. Learn to throw the ball so that it hits the hoop without touching the edge.
Throw the ball with all fives and jump
Throwing Rules:
- Head in the center of the body - if tilted, accuracy is lost.
- Look at the ring: mentally build a trajectory. If you are far away, the ball flies in a curved curve with a maximum height of 2 meters above the hoop.
- A strong hand is in front and throws, a weak hand is on the side and directs, only holding the ball. The elbow of the throwing hand must be in line with the ring.
- The ball must rest on the fingers without touching the palm. The fingers are as far apart as possible and grab the ball.
- Throwing arm bent 90 degrees, forearm perpendicular to the floor. If you bend less, then you get not a throw, but a throwing of the ball horizontally.
The main thing in the throw is the position of the body and its balance. Place your feet apart and parallel to each other: it is important to orient them in the middle of the basket. Then the direction of the body during the jump will coincide with the direction of the throw, and the ball will fly straight into the ring. When the feet are uneven, the ball flies in the wrong direction or does not reach (although the throw was normal).
Take a deep breath and release as you exhale.
How to hold the ball and shoot in basketball
How to throw correctly: straighten your arm, point your wrist up, and with your hand set the ball to rotate in the opposite direction from the flight. The ball should seem to "roll" off your fingers.
9. Copy masters and play as a team
Watch professional basketball games and try to copy the movements of your favorite players in training. And be sure to conduct game sparring - this will allow you to develop more techniques.
10. Do not throw in a straight line
The higher the arc of the ball, the greater the chance of a goal and the less chance of blocking by the opponent.
11. Do not throw the ball from a full height stand
This is the biggest newbie mistake!
Before the throw, bend your knees slightly and at the moment of the throw, straighten your body, making a jump. You need to straighten up and push off the ground at the same time. When squatting, keep the elbow of the throwing arm close to the body and towards the ring.
