How to shoot a hook shot in basketball

How to Do a Hook Shot in Basketball (5-Step Guide)

The hook shot is said to have originated in the 1930’s when a Lithuanian player used it for the first time, but many also give credit to a former Harlem Globetrotter for originating the move.

It has since become popularized by NBA legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tim Duncan, Hakeem Olajuwon, and many more throughout the history of the game.

Regardless of its true origin story, the hook shot has been one of the most commonly used post moves in the game of basketball for decades, and will be an effective shot in years to come for players who do it correctly.

The hook shot is used primarily within 2-3 feet of the basket as a post move, but some players will also use it a little further out.

Either way, the steps to executing the hook shot are essentially the same:

Get low and wide so that you can catch the ball with your back to the basket and your defender behind you.

After catching the ball with two hands, bring the ball to your chin with your elbows bent so you can hold on to the basketball if a defender reaches in for a steal.

The hook shot is typically most effective when the offensive player catches the ball on the block and steps toward the middle, but he could also go the other way and step toward the baseline.

Regardless of which direction you want to make the move, keep one pivot down, and take a big step that creates space between yourself and the defender.

If necessary, take a low dribble while making sure to keep the ball away from help defenders that may be reaching in from the perimeter.

If pivoting towards the middle of the floor, your shoulders should be parallel to the sideline.

After taking your big stride to create space, the foot you stepped with becomes your new pivot foot.

Gather the ball back in two hands after your dribble and step through with your original pivot foot until both feet are on the ground and your shoulders are square to the sideline.

At this point, your body should be between the ball and your defender.

Now that you’re on two feet with your shoulders parallel to the sideline, you have your base established to jump and take your shot.

As you are jumping, bring the ball up all the way up with both hands still on the ball.

It’s important to bring the ball up along the side of your body during this side of your move so that your body is still between the ball and your defender.

It may also feel natural to turn your shoulders towards the hoop slightly while jumping to shoot - which is fine - but it can’t be at the expense of opening up the ball to be easily stolen.

Once you’re in the air and the ball is above your head, take your guide hand off the ball and flick your shooting wrist to complete the hook shot.

You should let the ball go at the top of your jump so that the ball is as high and away from your defender as it can be when it is released.

Now that we have the basics of the hook shot covered, here are some tips to help perfect the move:

After you’ve caught the ball, make a fake towards the baseline (without giving up your pivot foot) to get your defender off balance.

This will make it easier to create separation from the defender who is guarding you, and it can also make the help defenders in the middle assume you are making a move the other way.

Depending on how concerned the defense is with the offensive player’s ability to score in the post, it’s likely that there may be help defenders ready to come down from the perimeter.

To keep the ball as protected as possible, use a two-handed power dribble and spike the ball hard and low so that you can cover space with your step but also keep the ball secure.

Though the tips above are primarily geared to instruct a hook shot that can be a powerful move off two feet, you could also make it more of a finesse move by jumping off of just one foot.

After taking your step to the middle, the foot you stepped with would then become your planting foot to jump.

Then bring your other knee up like you would when shooting a layup to take your shot.

This is another variation of the hook shot, commonly called the “sky hook” and made famous by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

No matter if you’re going to make the move off of one foot or two, the primary reason for shooting the hook shot is to keep the ball high and away from your defender.

When you release the ball, get enough arc on your shot so that it will go over the outstretched arms of your defender and into the hoop, like a short jump shot.

The hook shot has become one of the most well known shots in basketball, but it's also a move that must be practiced extensively in order to be executed in games.

Once perfected, it can be a very effective way for smaller offensive players to score over bigger, shot-blocking defenders.

Whether you’re a youth player who wants a second scoring option on the block or a professional trying to shoot over 7 foot defenders, the hook shot is a counter move that any player who expects to regularly score in the post should be ready to use.

The Most UNSTOPPABLE Shot In Basketball

Home > Coaching > Drills > Layup & Finishing > Figure 8 Hook Shots

In the video below, Don Kelbick gives you tips and drills on one of the most unstoppable shots in basketball.

This same shot was the go-to move for the LEADING SCORER in NBA history... Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Six MVPs, 19 All Star appearances, and six NBA championships isn't too shabby either. There is a reason that he's always in the conversation for the greatest player of all time.

As you may have already guessed, it's The Hook Shot.

And don't be fooled, the hook shot isn't just for post players. This is for guards too!

Steve Nash utilized a crafty hook shot to score against much taller players. And Nash was one of the best offensive point guards in history. For a 6-foot player who couldn't jump, he scored a tremendous amount of points in the paint.

In the video below, Coach Kelbick also talks about the jump hook and the full hook.

And he uses four drill variations for the hook shot.

Take a look...

Instructions For The Drill:

Set up the two chairs on each side of the lane, just above the low block.

For each variation, you will curl around the chair, pick up the ball and shoot a hook shot. On each repetition, you alternate chairs.

Variation 1: Figure 8 Hook Shots - To Baseline (0:58)

With this variation, the chairs are facing the sideline.

You start in the middle of the lane. Then cut and curl over the top of the chair, pick up the ball, step towards the baseline, and shoot a hook shot.

Variation 2: Figure 8 Hook Shots - To Middle (2:50)

With this variation, the chairs are facing half court.

You start in the middle of the lane. This time, you go the opposite direction.

Then you curl over the top of the chair, pick up the ball, step towards the basket, and shoot a hook shot.

Variation 3: Chair Drill - Drop Step Middle (3:48)

This time the chairs are facing the lane.

You run to the chair, jump stop, pick up the ball, drop step to the basket, and shoot a hook shot.

Variation 4: Chair Drill - Drop Step Baseline (4:53)

The chairs are facing the lane again, like the previous variation. However, you might pull them further apart towards the sideline.

This time you drop step to the baseline side and shoot the hook shot.

Drill and Skill Development Tips

Drive knee to hoop (Inertia!)

Driving your knee to the hoop creates inertia to the hoop. This momentum gives you the power to jump higher and step more quickly to the basket. Additionally, it helps you finish through contact and take you in a direct line to the basket.

Condition yourself. Fatigue leads to poor footwork which leads to poor game play.

Footwork becomes less aggressive with fatigue. It gets sloppier. Instead of stepping towards the hoop, you step away from the hoop.

As a result, you don't score. You don't get fouled. And you become ineffective. And as Don said, it's not because you're not a good player and don't know how to execute the skill. It's because you're fatigued.

After you learn how to properly execute a skill, it's important to set up drills to condition yourself as well.

Square to the chair on each repetition

When executing the last two chair drills, it's important to square yourself to the chair on each repetition. If you don't, your footwork can get sloppy and less effective due to the positioning of the chair and angles to the basket. It's important to do this, so you practice good footwork habits.

Don't worry about "Perfect"

Coach Kelbick always preaches that he's not looking for perfect repetitions. He's looking for you to get better as you go.

Great drills for your warm up

As Don mentions in the video, this drill is great for a warm up. You get better at basketball while getting ready to go at faster speeds.

Jump Hook & Full Hook Tips

Don also briefly discusses the jump hook and full hook in the video as well.

The jump hook comes to the shoulder and pretty much goes straight up. And you use your body to protect the ball from the defender.

The full hook is slightly different. It's more like Kareem's hook shot. Coach Kelbick demonstrates around 3:18.

You start at the shoulder, then you go out away from your body (not up like the jump hook). Then you bring the ball up in a sweeping motion, get the ball as high as you can, and shoot the hook.

As Don mentions in the video, it's a great shot to use against taller players like ones that are 6 feet 13 inches tall.

This video is from Don Kelbick's Attack & Counter Skill Development System.

What do you think? Let us know by leaving your comments, suggestions, and questions...

Basketball Hook Throw | Blog about basketball for beginners

Hello basketball fans, now the sports blog Pro-Basketball.Ru will tell you how to correctly perform the hook throw in basketball . Use our practical tips and tricks to improve your playing technique.

Most basketball hook shots are made from under the basket, although there are exceptions. Initially, this technique was mainly used in the center positions.

To successfully complete the hook throw, you need to take a comfortable position under the basket. The ball must be held at shoulder height before being thrown. If the ball was caught in a different plane, it should be tricked into the correct position.

Try to use all parts of your body when performing feints. Basketball players often use a feint with a quick turn of the head and lowering of the shoulder on one side and then a throw on the other side.

For better control, the basketball should initially be held with both hands. When control of the ball is established, extend your throwing arm away from the basket. Point the palm that controls the ball up.

At the final moment of the throw, turning to face the basket, the ball must be followed with the fingertips and a slightly relaxed hand. Perform a smooth throw immediately after the feint.

Don't look at the ball while you are throwing it, better concentrate all your attention on the aiming area. If the throw is at an angle, then you need to aim at a point on the basketball backboard, and if you do not side (front) throw, you need to look at the edge of the basket.

You must understand that the hook throw in basketball is very difficult to perform, since the ball is not actually in the field of view of the basketball player, and the accuracy of the throw is determined by the muscular feeling.

Many basketball post players practice moving their body towards the basket so that if they miss, they have a chance to fight for the rebound. Some players practically do not take their legs off during the hook throw, as they focus all their attention on the throw.

Don't forget that when throwing a basketball with a hook with your left hand, you need to push off with your right foot and vice versa. Regardless of which hand is throwing, the elbow of the other hand must be raised in order to protect the ball.

If you see a defender of the other team jumping out for a throw, use the feint first and only then execute the hook throw. Be sure to follow the ball so that in case of a miss, join the fight for the rebound from the basketball backboard.

Some basketball players give the ball an incredibly powerful rotation during the throw, the rest of the players are limited to the easy rotation that occurs during the throw. By the way, the force of rotation must be adjusted with brushes and fingers.

If the center basketball player was lucky enough to leave the defender behind his back, it is not so difficult to make a hook throw, because the ball will be covered by the body and elbows apart.

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what it is, technique, video lesson

In basketball, a hook throw or post-hook is a technique that is performed from a position sideways to the ring. A basketball player makes a throw by first rotating his arm, then releasing the ball over his head. Its peculiarity is that it is done with the far hand from the basket, and therefore the defender's chance of blocking is negligible. This is a very effective subtype of the shot, but in modern basketball they have begun to forget it, the technique has practically gone out of use. From this material you will learn about the hook throw, its advantages over other methods, as well as about the athlete who became famous for performing this technique.

A technically correct hook throw is hard to see even in professional teams these days. Apparently, lately coaches have undeservedly forgotten this useful and beautiful technique. In Soviet basketball, everything was different, many athletes knew how to throw with a hook, for center players it was a favorite and indispensable technical means.

If you play basketball, then it is in your power to prevent the impoverishment of the arsenal of techniques and return the action to everyday life. It will be especially useful if you play in the center positions. Mastering the hook is not easy, it will take a lot of effort, but as a reward you will get the ability to master one of the most beautiful and effective techniques, and still rare these days.

Technique

Most often, the player catches the ball with his back to the ring. Then the right-handed basketball player turns to the left, and the left-hander turns to the right, aims at the basket and shoots, spinning the projectile in his hand and lifting it over his head. A shield is used to hit the ring. A more common variation is a half-hook throw, when the athlete is positioned sideways to the ring. Both variations are powerful technical means, since it is almost impossible to block them.

The half hook is more common because it is easier to execute technically. It is implemented faster, does not imply a strong removal of the ball from the player's body. Due to the speed of execution, it can be more profitable, for example, if there is a safety net from teammates and a rather dense and active defense of opponents.

Use of such techniques is useful in many situations. For example, when the post player received the ball in a position with his back to the shield, and he has a defender behind him. The hook will be the most effective way to attack the ring. The ball must be held at arm's length. If the throw is made with the right hand, then before it you should make a movement to the right as a distraction, and then quickly step in the opposite direction. The center player turns on his left foot, turns to face the basket, sharply pushes off with the same foot and, with the help of his right hand, throws the projectile into the ring with a quick hook-like movement.

After throwing, you must immediately be ready to continue to shoot for the ball, as it may not hit the target, bouncing off the backboard. The blow will not work if you do not follow important aspects: turn with your whole body, make smooth movements, throwing your hand as if reaching for the ball.

Common mistakes

The most common mistake is to press the ball with the base of the palm, it must be held freely in the palm of your hand. Then, by means of an arcuate movement with a brush, it will be possible to lean it on outstretched fingers. Just as often in the process of learning to receive, athletes release the ball very early or too late, this must be corrected by constant practice, as well as sudden movements when throwing.

Release the ball only at the moment when you reach the highest point of the jump, while fully extending the working arm. Turn not on a straight leg, bend it slightly, otherwise you will not be able to jump as you need. Set aside 15-20 minutes of each session to practice these skills, and very soon you will notice that you can throw a hook and do it right. It will be especially useful for center basketball players to acquire this skill, with it their performance will become much higher, the ball will begin to hit the basket more often.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's Sky Hook

Whenever you mention famous basketball players' signature moves, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and his Sky-Hook are immediately mentioned. In his performance, the hook became the most unstoppable action in the history of the discipline. He did it often, uniquely and very beautifully. Behind this beauty there are years of working off, in his youth the athlete practiced the technique for a long time, doing it alternately with both hands and gradually moving away from the ring.

As a student, he won 88 out of 90 matches with his skyhook. He was simply unbeatable, given that just at that time the NCAA leadership temporarily prohibited overhead strikes.

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