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How to shoot a bank shot in basketball


How to Shoot a Bank Shot in Basketball Like Tim Duncan – Old Man Game Tips

The bank shot is a fun as well as useful and effective shot. Here’s how to shoot a bank shot like one of the greats, Tim Duncan.

In college, I often played basketball with this guy who I called “Mini Duncan.”

I didn’t call him this because he looked like Tim Duncan or because he was a San Antonio Spurs fan.

AdvertisementsI called him this because 95 percent (probably) of the shots he took were bank shots (and also because of his short stature, hence the “mini” in his nickname).

If you don’t know much about Duncan, he was a master at the bank shot.

I don’t know the actual percentage of bank shots that he made, but he made a lot.

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This shot (and how he sets it up) was the fundamental move that he mastered.

It was the move that he relied on throughout his career and the move that helped him get 5 NBA Championships.

Anyway, back to my story.

AdvertisementsI don’t know how “mini Duncan” did it so often, but he was amazing at the bank shot.

I was intrigued by his playstyle (or his ability to make these shots) and wanted to shoot like him.

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It took me a few weeks to be able to semi-consistently make bank shots. I had to watch loads of Duncan highlights and online tutorials, and had to practise them on a daily basis.

But the payoff was worth it because, now, I had another weapon for my Old Man Game utility belt.

At first, I wanted to learn this shot because it was cool and fun to do.

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AdvertisementsBut after using it in a few pick-up games, I noticed how resourceful it was.

Why the Bank Shot is Useful

At certain areas on the court, the type of basketball shot is actually easier to make than a regular jumper.

It’s because of the angle and whatnot (there’s a science behind it, but I’m not a nerd so I’m not getting into it. But you can read about it here if you like).

Additionally, there are certain situations when the bank shot is the only option.

For instance, imagine your defender is suffocating you (defensively, not violently).

It’s airtight and the only shot you can take is heaving the ball high enough for it to go over their arms, and for it to bounce off the backboard, and hopefully dropping into the basket.

Now, you probably shouldn’t get yourself into that situation in the first place.

But things happen.

So, it’s better to be prepared than caught in the headlights.

So, to prevent scares, here are some tips on how to make the bank shot.

How to Make Bank Shots

First off, however, I want to say that the bank shot isn’t as complex as it seems. There’s some geometry to it, but you don’t need to be a math whiz to master the bank shot.

It’s not as if you have to calculate equations like that one Jeremy Lin meme before shooting.

You just need to know which area on the backboard you have to hit and how powerful your shot needs to be.

And this skill comes with repetition; you have to deliberately practice it a lot and develop muscle memory.

Anyway, here are the tips:

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(Where to shoot bank shots)
  • Normally, the two top corners of the inside block are where you want the ball to bounce off of.
  • There are certain areas on the court where bank shots are optimal. Try to only shoot them there (refer to image above).
  • To add to the previous tip, bank shots are generally best used in the close to mid-range. Beyond the perimeter, it gets harder to gauge the angle and power of the shot. I also personally believe it’s a waste of energy because you have to shoot harder for the ball to bounce off the backboard.
  • To build on the previous tip, gauge the power of your shot. This is common sense, but when you’re still learning, you won’t know how hard or soft you need to shoot the ball. Thus, you’re going to have to play around with it.
  • Lastly, all of these tips are just guidelines. You have to experiment and see what works for you.

How to Practice Bank Shots

And to assist you with that last tip here is a drill you can try:

Remember the “Bank Shot” zones I showed you earlier? Pull it up. You’re going to need it for this drill.

  • Pick a lane you want to start in. Proceed to the point closest to the basket. Shoot until you make 5 bank shots (or more if you like). Remember to vary your shot (power, height, etc.) to see what is most comfortable for you and what goes in most often.
  • Once you make 5 shots, take a step back and repeat the process.
  • Continue this until you complete the lane (you should make approximately 20-25 shots, depending on how many back steps you take.
  • Once the lane is covered in your sweat and tears, move to another lane and repeat the process.
  • You will complete the drill when you finish the task at all four lanes.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the bank shot will not be easy.

But if you keep up the hard work, the bank shot will come to you like second nature.

And when it does, people will scream “mini Duncan” every time you call “bank.”

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.

what it is, execution technique, the best blockers

There are a lot of spectacular techniques in basketball, which is why this sport has so many fans. The performance of the reception is important for the players, its entertainment is important for the fans. The block shot in basketball is liked by both of them, it meets two criteria. It has other names - a block, a banana, a bank, a bathhouse, and even a fly swatter. In this article, we will look at the block shot basketball technique, why it is so important, how to do it correctly, in what situations it will be appropriate. Also here you will find a list of the best players who are excellent at blocking and have shown their skills to the whole world.

In basketball, a block shot is called a technique when a defender blocks the ball after a shot attempt and changes its direction in a favorable direction, away from the basket. This item is very exciting, especially when done professionally. He delights fans and motivates team members to win. The player whose shot was blocked in this way is credited with a loss of the ball or a miss.

Block shots are not ordinary and simple tricks. This is not just creating a hindrance on the way to your basket, but something more. A good blocker instills fear in attackers, no one wants to compromise their professionalism with a bad throw. Dikembe Mutombo is usually cited as an example, in his performance this protective element is ideal. No wonder Mutombo is considered one of the best blockers among the NBA professional league players. He has a trademark gesture, after each blocked shot, he expressively shakes his finger from side to side, as if to say: “Not on my shift.”

Finesse

Blocking shots is necessary to protect your team, and this is the most important of the techniques. Most of the best defenders use it on a regular basis. They have a title - rim protector, which means protector of the ring.

For a successful execution, high growth is important, it is easier for a tall player to block an opponent's blow. But that's not all, you also need to jump high, correctly assess the situation on the site and respond in a timely manner. A good blocker knows when to jump, what position to jump from. A useful skill is the ability to distinguish a real throw from a false one. If you jump ahead of time, then the fans will laugh at it.

Chasedown Blocks

Chasedown is a special performance and is considered aerobatics to perform. It happens like this: the defender runs after the attacker and jumps at the moment when the ball is already flying into the ring. If everything is done correctly, then the projectile will stick to the shield and fly off in the other direction or fly towards the stands, as is often done in another game, volleyball.

This gets a standing ovation on par with a spectacular slam dunk, but it doesn't happen as often as we'd like.

In the history of sports there are special chasedown blocks. One of them was pulled by LeBron James in Game 7 of the NBA Finals four years ago. When only a few minutes remained until the end of the meeting, and the score was equal, he blocked the rivals' lake-up and these allowed his team to win and become the champion of this season.

How to block shot?

The block shot in basketball guarantees the stopping of the shot, so every defender should master it. This technique becomes a reaction to the opponent's action, so you need to be very careful. If you react to a feint, you can get a foul and give the other team the opportunity to get easy points. In order not to be mistaken, you need to look at the body and legs of the attacker, as soon as the legs come off the surface of the site, then it's time to act.

You should always stand on your toes, from this position you can react to changes in the situation in a matter of fractions of a second. During the jump, it is important to control the position of your body and limbs. You need to jump strictly along a vertical path, without deviating forward or to the sides. If you lean towards the opponent, then you can commit a violation - touching. Hitting the ball backhand is very spectacular, especially at the moment when it has not yet left the attacker's hands. But this, too, can provoke a touch. It is more practical to block-shot at the moment when the ball is already released.

Another important point: to bet or not to bet. The player needs to objectively evaluate their own physical data. Performing a technique is appropriate if you are well prepared in general and ready to jump at a particular moment. You should not try to block someone who is superior in skills and size, this often leads to a foul and lost points.

The best blockers

In basketball, each player has personal statistics. These defenders excelled in block shots.

Hakim Olajuwon

He has 3830 completions, averaging 3.09 per game, and is the clear leader in total. This is a versatile basketball player, he showed himself equally well both offensively and defensively. Included in the four of those who made a quadruple-double. This is the name for a set of more than ten points due to block shots, assists, rebounds and interceptions.

Dikembe Mutombo

His name has already been mentioned in this article. One of the most effective blockers in the history of the sport. Did 3289considered blocks, which in terms of the number of matches is an average of 2. 75 for each. As many as four times he was recognized as the best defenseman in the NBA. His gesture of shaking his fingers began to be repeated by other players of different levels.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

He has always been highly regarded as an attacker, but few people attached importance to his blocking skills. And in vain, because he is in third place in this rating, he completed 3189 cans during his career, which is 2.57 for each meeting.

Mark Eaton

Ranked fourth in total with 3,065 but leads in average at 3.5 per game. No one else has such an indicator. Mark Eaton is an interesting figure in basketball, he did not think about professional training until the age of 21, but the height of 225 cm could not go unnoticed. He was drafted 72nd, but after the first season in the NBA, it became clear that this is one of the best defenders of all time.

Tim Duncan

He is called the most powerful forward, and also - "Mr. Fundamental". Such universal players are appreciated. In defense, he plays not very impressive, but very effective. Completed 3020 receptions, 2.17 for each exit.

David Robinson

Nicknamed The Admiral, he is Tim Duncan's mentor and partner. They were called “twin towers”, and only the most daring and desperate dared to attack their basket. In personal statistics, 2954 blocks, 2.99 per game.

Patrick Ewing

A true legend, the best center of all time. He was always distinguished from others not only by his powerful dimensions, but also by his special intuition. He seemed to always know when to block and when to jump out. True, his instincts let him down when Michael Jordan ran one of his most famous dunks through him. On account of his 2894 great performances, 2.45 in each match.

Shaquille O'Neal

Bet 2,732 pots at 2.26 per game on average. With his impressive size, Shaquille has always been very mobile. His achievements in attack are discussed more often, but one cannot ignore the fact that he became a member of the second NBA defensive team three times.

Tri Rollins

He built a career as a defender, and it turned out great for him. Several times he got into the first and second defensive teams. Made 2542 blocks, 2.2 per meeting.

Robert Parish

Rounding out the top block shots in basketball with 2,361 shots, 1.47 per game. He is the leader in the number of executions of this move among representatives of the Boston Celtics franchise.

Basketball shooting technique: basic rules

One of the fundamental things in the game of basketball is the correct shooting technique. You can dribble, make accurate passes, play with your body as you like, but without this final stage of attack, your team will not score enough points to win the match. So how do you learn how to throw the ring correctly? SOVSPORT.RU has studied this issue in detail and is ready to provide you with several recommendations in this regard.

One of the fundamental things in the game of basketball is the correct shooting technique. You can dribble, make accurate passes, play with your body as you like, but without this final stage of attack, your team will not score enough points to win the match. So how do you learn how to throw the ring correctly? SOVSPORT . EN has studied this issue in detail and is ready to provide you with some recommendations in this regard.

There are different types of throw: from the pass, classic, slam dunk, free throw, with a bounce from the shield, without it, and so on. Let's take a look at what each of them is.

Free throw

First, let's look at the basic technique of all basketball shots - the free throw technique. The ball should be at chest level (feet may be in line or one leg extended slightly forward), held with fingers, elbows near the body, legs slightly bent at the knee joints, torso straight, gaze directed at the basket. Simultaneously with the circular movement of the ball (as in a simultaneous pass) and even more bending of the legs at the knee joints, the ball is brought to the chest. Without stopping the movement, the ball is carried along the body up and forward in the direction of the ring and with a sweeping movement of the hands, giving the ball, the reverse movement is released from the fingertips, while the legs are straightened. The weight of the body is transferred to the front leg, the body and arms must accompany the flight of the ball. After releasing the ball, the player returns to the starting position.

Throw from three steps

Throw from three steps is practiced as follows. First you need to stand on the line of the penalty area, a little obliquely in relation to the ring. It is necessary to take a couple of steps for a run, while not forgetting to dribble. As soon as you feel that you have already accelerated enough, take one long step with your right foot. The ball should already be in your hands at this point. After that, a short step is taken by rolling from heel to toe with the left foot. At the same time, you push off with your left foot, swing with your right foot, and carry the ball over your right shoulder so that it rests on your right hand, and your left supports it to the side. At the highest point of the jump, the arm is straightened to the end in the elbow joint, the throw ends with a sweeping movement of the hand. After the ball is released, the player lands on both feet. The description of the throwing technique on the move is given for players throwing from the right side. In the situation with the passage on the left, accordingly, everything is done the other way around: you take the first long step with your left foot, and the second with your right.

As a rule, in the technique of throwing from a three-step, another way to get the ball into the basket is used - a throw from the backboard. Its essence lies in the fact that, being at an angle with respect to the shield, it is quite difficult to throw the ball directly into the ring. This is where the white square line drawn on the shield around the bow of the ring comes to our aid. It is quite simple to train the technique of throwing from the side. To do this, you need to stand within the penalty area, at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the shield. To throw the ball from this position, you need to hit the upper corner of the square line on the shield closest to us. That is, if you are to the left of the ring, you throw it to the upper left corner of this square, and if you are to the right, then to the right. Everything is quite simple and clear.

Jump shot

In general, the main technique of shooting at the opponent's basket in basketball is the jump shot. As a rule, in this way, players try to hit the target from a long distance. This type of throw can be roughly divided into three stages. First you have to get the ball in motion. Having caught it, you take a short stopping step with your left, simultaneously placing your right. Then you take out the ball with your right hand (if you are right-handed) over your head, along the way holding it to the side with your left. Take off from the ground with both feet. The technique of the throw itself is similar to the technique of performing a free kick: when releasing the ball from your hands, remove your left hand, and with the fingers of your right palm, give the projectile a reverse rotation. In the final stage, it is necessary to ensure that the distance between the points of repulsion and landing is approximately equal to 20-30 centimeters, so as not to collide with the player of the defending team.

Slam dunk

If you have already mastered all of the above throwing techniques and crave something more cool, then it's time to turn to perhaps the most spectacular, but at the same time the most difficult way to hit the opponent's ring - slam -dunk. Millions of basketball fans around the world go into a state of complete ecstasy every time they see a professionally made and beautiful shot from above. Do you want to be the same cool performer of this element, so that your opponents on the court are afraid of you, and the girls in the audience go crazy with your person? Then the following description of the technique of throwing from above will help you achieve this.

A proper slam dunk begins with the fact that a three-step throw also starts with a running start. Take the allowed two steps, dribbling the ball with your arm and controlling your approach. Jump off your lead foot, opposite your kicking arm, extend your arm towards the hoop and throw the ball into the net. Try throwing with one hand first, as a two-handed dunk requires a higher jump. Coaches recommend starting with a smaller ball as it is a little easier to control.

Also, there is a very important point with the landing. This must be done with support on both legs, softening and bending them at the moment of touching the site. Experts highly advise beginners not to mow under the NBA stars, hanging after the throw on the bow of the ring, as at this moment your balance may be disturbed and it will seem to you that you are falling backwards.

Actually, these are some of the basic shooting techniques in basketball, with the help of which 90% of the balls are thrown.


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