How to Shoot a Basketball Perfectly (10-Step Guide)
Every young basketball player grows up wanting to learn how to shoot a basketball at a world-class level.
This is obvious to anyone who steps foot into a gym.
The first thing you'll look around and see are players as young as 5-years-old throwing up shots from behind the three-point line.
With the rise of players like Steph Curry and Damian Lillard, as well as the game of basketball developing to take more advantage of the three-point shot, learning how to shoot a basketball at a high level has never been more important.
There's only one issue with this...
Becoming a great shooter isn't an easy thing to do!
When I was a lot younger, I remember spending hundreds of hours in the backyard of our family home trying to perfect my shooting form.
I would sit in front of the TV and memorize the shooting techniques of my favorite player and then sprint outside and try to recreate it.
I would watch instructional shooting videos trying to diagnose the problems with my jump shot and then fix them.
Over time, I was able to improve a lot.
But as I started getting older and playing for different coaches, I kept running into obstacles in regards to my basketball shooting form...
Every coach wanted me to shoot the basketball a different way!
Some coaches wanted me to dip the basketball. Some didn't.
Some coaches wanted me to focus on the front of the rim. Some didn't.
Some coaches wanted me to completely face the rim. Some didn't.
As soon as I'd become comfortable with one variation, another coach would step in and demand I change it.
It's nearly impossible to become a consistently good shooter when you're constantly making these changes.
And that's why I created this 10-step guide...
My goal with this article is to clear up all confusion when it comes to learning how to shoot a basketball at a high level.
I'm going to give you detailed, step-by-step instructions on exactly how players should be shooting the basketball.
This article will be broken up into 9 sections...
Quick Navigation
3 Important Shooting Facts
The BEEF Method (and who shouldn't use it)
How to Shoot a Basketball Perfectly in 10 Steps
Why Becoming a Great Shooter is Important
5 Basketball Shooting Form Mistakes (and how to fix them)
3 Basketball Shooting Drills For Perfect Form
6 Common Shooting Technique Questions
11 Basketball Shooting Tips
A Special Note for Basketball Coaches...
Conclusion
3 Important Shooting Facts
Before we get into the details on exactly how to shoot a basketball, there are three important things I want you to always keep in mind...
Fact #1 - Shooting is the Most Important Skill in Basketball
Let's not kid ourselves...
There is no skill more important in the game of basketball than shooting.
Rebounding isn't more important.
Footwork isn't more important.
Passing isn't more important.
All those skills are still important, sure... but they're not as important as being able to shoot the basketball at a high level.
The sooner we can all admit this, the sooner we'll start creating better shooters at all levels of basketball.
Being a great shooter will result in not only more points for yourself, but more points for your teammates, too (we'll talk more about this later).
Fact #2 - Shooters are NOT born. They ARE developed
Not a single person on Earth was born with the ability to shoot a basketball at a high level.
Not Steph Curry.
Not Ray Allen.
Not Reggie Miller.
Not Kevin Durant.
All of these players began their lives with the same shooting ability as you, me, and all others players did…None.
"So, what separates them from the rest of us?"
They became some of the greatest shooters to ever step foot on a basketball court through hours and hours and hours of smart shooting repetitions in the gym.
Any basketball player who wants to become a great shooter one day must be willing to put in years of hard work to develop a great shot.
Fact #3 - There Are Very Few Players Willing to Put in the Work Required to Become a Great Shooter
I've been around the game of basketball for many years...
During all that time, I've seen very few truly great shooters.
"Why is that?"
Because 99.999% of players aren't willing to put in the work to become great.
But don't worry...
This is a good thing for you!
If you are one of the select few who is willing to put in the work (and I hope you are), then with a lot of hard work and dedication you can become one of the very few great shooters we have in the game today.
Now, let's get started!
The BEEF Method (and who shouldn't use it)
When kids first start learning how to shoot, one of the first acronyms a coach will teach them is the BEEF shooting method.
This is a super simple teaching tool created to help kids focus on four important aspects of shooting a basketball.
Here's what the acronym stands for...
(B) - Balance
(E) - Elbow
(E) - Eyes
(F) - Follow-Through
Simple, right?
To be clear, I do believe all of these points are important...
The problem with the BEEF method is that it's too simple.
Can it be used to teach absolute beginners or young athletes learning how to shoot a basketball for the first time?
Sure.
But once a player has learned the basics, it's time to move on to something more advanced.
I still see way too many coaches using the simple BEEF method with older and more experienced players.
We're letting the players down if our shooting advice doesn't get more advanced as they improve.
Let's go through the more advanced method I recommend...
How to Shoot a Basketball Perfectly in 10 Steps
Step #1 - Shot Preparation
Being a great shooter starts before you receive the basketball.
This step is often overlooked by most players and coaches but can be the difference between having enough time to take a good shot or getting your shot blocked by a defender closing out.
"You don't shoot fast. You get ready to shoot fast" - Don Meyer
Here are the three rules to make sure you're prepared to shoot when you catch the basketball...
a. Start with your knees and hips slightly bent
If you catch the basketball with straight legs, it will take extra time to bend your legs before raising up for your shot.
This is too slow.
b. Show target hands
Showing target hands to the player with the basketball shows them exactly where to pass to your shot pocket (we'll talk about this later).
c. Be mentally prepared to shoot
You'll never be more open than when you first catch the basketball.
As long as you're within your comfortable shooting range, you must be mentally prepared to shoot on the catch.
Step #2 - Hand Placement on the Ball
Upon catching the basketball or raising up into a shot, players must be able to quickly adjust their hands to the correct positions on the basketball.
The shooting hand must be under/behind the basketball and the balance hand should be on the side of the basketball.
The thumb of your shooting hand and the base of the thumb on your balance hand should form a 'T' (as pictured).
All finger pads and hand pads should be touching the basketball.
The only area of your shooting hand not touching the basketball is the small gap in the middle of your hand.
Another important but overlooked detail is that the fingers should be spread comfortably wide on the basketball.
These adjustments must happen immediately upon receiving the basketball.
Step #3 - Balanced Base
"The key to being a good shooter is balance. Everything follows balance" - Larry Bird
Most players and coaches believe that shooting success is mostly to do with the movements of the upper body...
This is far from the truth. Great shooting always starts with the base.
If a player can't get the base of their shot correct, then it's very hard to become a consistent shooter.
A balanced base involves three important factors...
a. Feet slightly narrower than shoulder-width apart
If your feet are too narrow, it's very difficult to stay on balance when raising up for the shot.
If your feet are too wide, you won't get enough lift in your shot.
(Have a photo showing too close, perfect, too wide.)
b. Dominant foot slightly in front
When combined with the next step (the turn), this will improve the balance of your shot and release tension in your shoulder.
For right-handed shooters, this means sliding the right foot forward slightly. The opposite for left-handed shooters.
c. Weight equally distributed on each foot
For obvious reasons, a player should not be leaning to either side when taking a shot.
Your weight should be equally distributed on both feet.
Step #4 - Feet Direction (The Turn)
I could have included this in the 'balanced base' section above, but I feel that this is so important it deserved its own step.
When shooting the basketball, a player's feet should be turned slightly.
For right-handed shooters, their feet should be turned slightly to the left (11 o'clock).
For left-handed shooters, their feet should be turned slightly to the right (1 o'clock).
To understand why this is important, stand at the free-throw line with all 10 toes pointing towards the rim.
If you attempt to keep your elbow lined up with the rim while shooting with this base, you'll notice that tension is required in the chest.
To relieve the body of this tension, players should turn their feet slightly which will allow their elbow and shoulder to line up with the rim more comfortably.
Step #5 - Consistent Shot Pocket
The 'shot pocket' is the area a player is most comfortable starting the basketball from when beginning their shot.
This will usually be around the lower chest or stomach area of a player and will either be usually be in the middle of their body or slightly to the shooting hand side.
All players must find what feels comfortable for them.
Each time a player catches the basketball to shoot, they should be bringing the basketball back to their shot pocket before raising up into their shot.
There are two main reasons for this. ..
Keeping a consistent shot pocket ensures players are shooting the basketball the same way every time they shoot.
Since the shot pocket is often low, this will give player much better rhythm as they go up for their shot.
Will there be time when players don't have time to return the basketball to their shot pocket? Sure...
But they'll shoot better when they do.
Step #6 - Eyes on the Target
A while ago I asked 15 shooting coaches which part of the rim they encouraged players to focus on when shooting.
The answers were surprising...
Many of the shooting coaches were teaching their players to aim for different targets on the rim... Yet all of them were able to develop great shooters.
"What does this tell us?"
There isn't one 'correct' target to focus on when shooting.
Players have a number of options...
The center of the front of the rim.
The center of the back of the rim.
The first loop in the net.
The entire hoop.
etc.
Whichever target you decide to use, this is the most important thing you must keep in mind at all times...
Once you find a target you're comfortable with, be consistent.
'Front-rim shooters' and 'back-rim shooters' are focusing on targets which are 17 inches (45cm) apart aiming to achieve the same goal.
If you're constantly changing the target you're aiming at, it's nearly impossible for you to become a consistent shooter.
You have to pick one and then allow your shot to develop using that target.
Step #7 - Wrinkle the Wrist
Shooting with a straight wrist is another one of the most common problems for youth players.
Players who do this will often push the basketball towards the rim (flat shot) instead of shooting the basketball up and through the rim.
Fortunately, it's a simple fix with a visual cue.
The aim of this step is to get the wrist of the shooting hand bent back as far as possible (usually a little before 90 degrees).
This will give extra power to the shot and will also create the necessary backspin required to be a good shooter.
When bent back correctly, there will be small wrinkles in the skin on the back of the shooting wrist.
This provides a convenient visual cue for players to know if they're bending their wrist back correctly before shooting.
Step #8 - Elbow Under the Basketball
When you're raising up for the shot, the elbow of your shooting arm should be directly under the basketball.
This requires players to have their upper and lower arm forming an 'L' shape and also have their wrist bent back to 90 degrees (step 7).
Doing this will ensure that the basketball will be shot in a straight line to the rim and also have good backspin.
Players who flare their elbow out while shooting will often miss to the left or right because they're not shooting the basketball straight.
A player will often flare out their elbow when they don't turn their feet correctly (step 4).
This is because the chest requires uncomfortable tension to pull in the elbow when 10 toes are pointing towards the rim.
Step #9 - Balance Hand
The 'balance hand' is what we call the non-shooting hand.
As the name implies, its only role during the shooting motion is helping to balance the basketball on the shooting hand up until the release point.
For right-handed shooters, this is the left hand.
For left-handed shooters, this is the right hand.
If you've been around basketball long enough, you'll often hear this hand referred to as the 'guide hand'.
I don't like this terminology as this hand should never 'guide' the basketball anywhere during the shooting motion.
There should be no force from the balance hand when a shot is taken.
As the elbow starts to extend in the shooting motion, the balance hand releases flat off the side of the basketball.
If the balance hand isn't flat on release, this means that a player has pushed the basketball with their balance hand (most often with their thumb) while in the shooting motion and the shot will usually end up missing left or right.
Step #10 - Rhythm Shot + Follow Through
The final step is where it all comes together...
Shooting with rhythm involves many parts occurring simultaneously:
The basketball is lifted up from the shot pocket.
The knees and hips straighten out as the player raises themselves into the air for power.
The elbow of the shooting arm straightens up in the air once the basketball has been lifted past shoulder height. (To check if you're shooting the basketball up into the air at the correct angle, make sure that the elbow of your shooting arm finishes next to your eyebrow on the follow through).
Near the peak of the shot, the wrist is snapped in the direction of the rim so that they fingers are pointing towards the ground. This will ensure the basketball has good backspin resulting in a 'soft' shot.
Also at the peak of the shot, the balance hand will release from the basketball keeping perfectly flat. This ensures the balance hand isn't pushing the basketball.
The final two fingers to touch the basketball should be the index and middle fingers at the same time.
When you return to the ground, the rhythm of your jump shot will have guided your body forward slightly of where you took off from.When practicing, I encourage players to hold this form until the basketball has hit the rim so that they can look up and evaluate their technique.
Video:
Why Becoming a Great Shooter is Important
Hesitant about whether you want to spend the hours it takes to become a great shooter?
Here's why it's important that you do...
1. Increases Your Scoring Opportunities
Being a great shooter will increase your scoring from all areas of the court.
Not only will you make more shots from the perimeter, you'll also be able to drive to the basket and score much easier than before.
"Why is this?"
When you're a great shooter, the defense is forced to defend close to you on-ball and off-ball in order to prevent you shooting an outside shot.
This gives the defender a lot less time to react to a cut to the rim or a drive to the basket if you have the basketball.
2. Increases Your Teammate's Scoring Opportunities
Great shooters don't need to touch the basketball to help their team score.
By simply being a scoring threat from the perimeter, you will help your team's offense by creating space on the floor.
Since a shooter’s defender is forced to play close to them to prevent the quick shot, it's difficult for them to play help defense on the other offensive players.
This means that there will be more space inside to finish at the rim, more open cutters, more open driving lanes, etc.
3. More Points on the Scoreboard
At the end of the day, to win more basketball games, you need to put points on the scoreboard.
And improved shooting does that!
If a player is able to make 35% of their three-point shots, they'll be more efficient than a player who makes 50% of their two-point shots.
This is the reason why we're seeing more and more teams at all levels attempt more three-point shots as players become better shooters.
4. Proves You Work on Your Game
There's one rule that will always be true when it comes to shooting...
Shooters aren't born. They're developed.
It's impossible to become a great shooter without a championship-level work ethic and dedication to improve your game.
All coaches and recruiters know this.
Being a great shooter immediately proves to all watching that you have great attention to detail, you work hard, and that you’re disciplined.
These are all traits that recruiters are on the lookout for.
5 Basketball Shooting Form Mistakes (and how to fix them)
Here are the 5 main shooting technique mistakes that I commonly see in players at all levels.
Once you understand what to look for, many of them are simple to fix.
1. Not Shooting With Enough Arc
It's incredibly difficult to become a great shooter if you have a flat shot.
The flatter your shot, the less area of the hoop the basketball has to go through the rim.
In 99% of cases, this occurs because a player pushes the basketball out towards the rim from their chest instead of shooting the basketball up into the air.
To make sure this doesn't happen, ensure players are wrinkling their wrist, have their elbow under the basketball, and their elbow finishes next to their eyebrow on the shot release.
2. Pushing With the Balance Hand Thumb
The traditional basketball shooting motion is a one-handed shot.
The balance hand stabilises the basketball until near the point of release, and then the dominant hand should be doing 100% of the shooting.
But that's not always what happens...
A lot of players fall into a bad habit of using their balance hand thumb to provide extra power on the shot.
This is necessary when a player is young and doesn't have the strength to shoot with the traditional one-handed method. Instead, they compensate for this lack of strength by shooting with two hands.
As players grow older and develop more strength, they must transition away from the two-handed shot and learn to shoot without using the thumb of their balance hand.
3. Not Dipping the Basketball
Nearly every great shooter in basketball history dips the basketball.
Steph Curry dips.
Ray Allen dips.
Dirk Nowitzki dips.
Steve Nash dips.
Kevin Durant dips.
You get the point...
So, why do we have so many coaches pushing players not to dip after they catch the basketball? (yes, I had this happen to me).
I have no idea.
There are three main reasons why it's important to dip the basketball...
To ensure a consistent starting point (shot pocket).
For rhythm on the shot.
To prevent the upper body from being too tense.
Players: Dip the basketball.
4. Encouraging Players to Follow Their Shot
'Follow your shot' is one of the worst pieces of advice a coach can give to one of their players.
Doing so will negatively affect a player's shot in two ways...
a. It will ruin their shooting technique
Due to the rhythm of a jump shot, the motion will naturally take the shooter's upper body back and their lower body forward slightly.
This moves them away from the rim.
Players will be forced to shoot with bad technique to ensure they can sprint in and challenge for the rebound.
b. It will put them in the wrong mindset
When you tell a player to follow their shot, you're telling them that they're probably going to miss.
I think we can all agree that this is a terrible mindset to have before taking a shot.
Unless you know for certain a shot is off (players can always feel the bad ones), then you should never follow your shot.
Players should be putting 100% focus into completing the full shot routine with the best form possible each time they shoot.
5. Fingers Not Spread Wide Enough
Another important teaching point is making sure that players are shooting with their fingers spread comfortably wide on the basketball.
Many young athletes will catch and shoot with their fingers too close together.
The closer the fingers are, the less control players will have when they put up a shot.
The best time to address this point is when you're practicing form shooting with your team.
Get each player to hold the basketball in their shooting pocket and check to make sure each player is spreading their fingers wide enough.
3 Basketball Shooting Drills For Perfect Form
1. Perfects
'Perfects' involve a player beginning in a stationary position with the basketball in their shot pocket and focusing solely on shooting each shot with perfect form.
The goal is to make a specific number of perfect swishes from 4 different positions in front of the rim.
For example:
3-feet - 10 perfect swishes.
5-feet - 7 perfect swishes.
7-feet - 5 perfect swishes.
10-feet (free-throws) - 5 perfect swishes.
This is a great drill to begin individual shooting workouts with.
2. Spin Outs
The 'Spin Outs' drill works on catch-and-shoot situations.
This is a great drill for practicing shooting off the 'hop' or shooting off a '1-2 step'. As I said in a previous section, I always encourage players to practice both.
The drill involves players spinning the basketball out in front of themselves, catching the basketball with a hop or 1-2 step, and then rising up into the shot with perfect form.
These can be performed from midrange or from beyond the three-point line depending on the age and skill level of the player.
3. Off-Dribble Form Shooting
The final drill allows players to practice shooting with correct form off the dribble.
This is often the most difficult shot for young players.
To perform this drill, players start several metres behind where they plan to shoot the basketball from.
From there, the player takes 2 - 3 hard dribbles and then practices pulling up for the jump shot on balance.
After each shot, the player collects their own rebound (if they don't have a rebounder), and then returns to the starting position.
The biggest focus of this drill is to stay on balance throughout the entire shot.
6 Common Shooting Technique Questions
Here are the answers to 6 of the most common basketball shooting questions I receive...
1. "Should I shoot using a hop or the 1-2?"
Players must learn how to shoot off both.
I'm 100% against any coach demanding that their players use either the hop or the 1-2 step exclusively.
There are times throughout a game where the hop is better to use and there are times throughout a game where the 1-2 step is better to use.
Eventually, players will develop a preference and I recommend allowing them to make that choice on their own.
But players must be able to shoot off both.
2. "How many shots should I make every week?"
This is how many shots I recommend you make each week depending on the level of shooter you want to become...
Elite Shooter = 1,500 made shots per week
Great Shooter = 1,000 made shots per week
Poor Shooter = 500 made shots per week
This might seem like a low number to some, but I promise you if you're taking all shots from game spots at game speed it won't be easy.
With the amount of distractions we have today, it's crucial all players are scheduling time to get in the gym and work on their shot.
3. "What part of the rim should I look at when I shoot?"
There isn't a 'correct' target every player should be looking at.
Read 'Step 6' and check out this article where 18 shooting experts give their advice.
4. "Should the index or middle finger be last to touch the basketball?"
This is another one of those questions there isn't a 'correct' answer to.
I've always taught the fork (index and middle release at the same time), but there are many great shooting coaches with differing opinions.
I ran a poll on Twitter (follow me!) which received 1,115 votes and 49% of people believe the middle finger should be last to touch the basketball.
I know of very few shooting coaches who recommend this, but it shows that all finger releases should be tested by players.
I believe any of the three can work.
5. "Why is backspin so important?"
Backspin is important while shooting because it creates a 'soft' shot.
When a shot is soft (or has touch), the basketball has more chance of bouncing on the rim and then falling through the hoop.
If a shot is taken without backspin, the ball is going to hit the rim and bounce away with very little chance of a score.
6. "Which direction should my feet be pointing?"
Read 'Step 4'.
Brief answer: Feet should have a slight turn. This allows players to open up their shoulder and get their elbow under the basketball without putting tension on the chest.
11 Basketball Shooting Tips
1. Repetition, Repetition, Repetition
The great shooters separate themselves from the rest of the pack by spending thousands of hours shooting focused repetitions in the gym.
If you want to learn how to shoot a basketball at a high level, you must be prepared to put in the work to achieve it.
This might seem easy to commit to at first, but I promise you that there will be days when the last thing you feel like doing is going to the gym.
Cold mornings (and even colder in the gym).
You didn't sleep well the night before.
You feel like having a 'lazy day' at home.
The players who can cut through the excuses and get in the gym even when they're not feeling motivated to do so are the ones who separate themselves from the competition.
It's not about the number of hours you practice, it's about the number of hours your mind is present during the practice.
Kobe Bryant
2. Schedule Time for Shooting Practice
If all you do is stumble through each week and fit in shooting practice when it's convenient, I promise you that you'll never become a great shooter.
You must schedule your shooting workouts ahead of time.
Decide how many shots you want to make each week, work out roughly how long it will take, and then schedule your shooting workouts.
Once they're schedule, treat these blocks of time as non-negotiable.
A friend calls you and wants to hang out? Sorry, you're busy.
Feel like sleeping in late one day? Sorry, you're busy.
You must make shooting a priority.
3. Always Start Close to The Rim
It's never a good sign to see young players arrive at the gym and immediately start throwing up three-point shots.
Never underestimate the importance of starting close to the rim and making a lot of easy form shots to begin your shooting practice.
This allows you to get into a good rhythm, focus on your shooting technique, and build confidence by making shots.
Don't let your ego get in the way.
If you want to be a great shooter from 25 feet, you better be a great shooter from 4 feet first.
Steve Kerr
4. You Can't Rely on Team Practices for Shooting
Here's a little fact you probably didn't realize...
On average, a player will only shoot 25 - 30 shots in a team practice.
Doesn't sound like much, does it?
Of course, this will depend on the coach's priorities...
But with all the other skills, offenses, and defenses that need to be worked on, coaches simply don't have the time to schedule long blocks of shooting.
What does this mean?
90% of becoming a great shooter occurs outside of team practices.
You must be prepared to put in thousands of repetitions in the gym by yourself or with a teammate.
5. Always Have a Plan
If you simply go to the gym and throw up random shots while laughing with your friends, the rate at which you improve is going to be incredibly slow.
You must have a plan if you want to see quick results.
Ask yourself questions like...
Where do most of my shots come from during games?
At the next level where will most of my shots come from?
What shot do I need to make consistently to become a better player?
Which areas of the court do I struggle to make shots from?
etc.
Once you know the answer to these, create a workout.
This will ensure you're taking game shots, from game spots, at game speed.
Then when you get in the gym, you'll know exactly what you need to do.
I hate casual shooting. Every shot is preceded by working to get open and catch and shoot under game-like conditions.
Bobby Knight
6. Track your shooting workouts
I first started advising players to start tracking their made shots after reading a terrific article on shooting coach Dave Hopla.
Dave tracks every single shot he takes… and regularly shoots 98%.
Incredible, right?
In fact, you'll find it hard to find any great shooter that doesn’t meticulously track their makes and misses when working on their shooting.
So, why don’t more youth and high school players do it?
I have absolutely no idea!
It’s an absolute must if a player plans on improving their shot.
Here are 5 quick reasons why tracking shots will make you a great shooter:
You cannot improve what you don't measure.
It makes every single shot important.
Players can set shooting goals and commitments.
Players will see improvements.
Players will find out their weak shooting areas.
7. Analyze Your Missed Shots
You're going to miss a lot of shots...
Hell, even the best shooters on the planet make less than half of their shots during competitive play.
If you're going to become a great shooter, you must be able to analyze your missed shots and learn from them.
Here's something I want you to keep in mind...
Great shooters miss front and back. Poor shooters miss left and right.
"Why is this?"
In most cases, when a shot is missed due to hitting the front or back of the rim, it's because the players didn't judge the distance correctly or due to fatigue in the arms and legs.
When a player misses left or right, it's often due to a shooting technique issue.
While practicing, form the habit of looking up after each shot and evaluating the placement of both of your hands.
8. Incorporate Conditioning into Your Shooting Workouts
You're going to be fatigued while you're taking shots during games.
If you want to be a great in-game shooter, it's incredibly important that you replicate this feeling during your shooting workouts.
For players wondering why they can always shoot great while chucking up shots before practice but never in games...
This is likely reason why.
Being able to shoot the ball when you've expended so much energy at the defensive end of the floor is an amazing skill.
Steve Kerr
Here are a few ways you can add conditioning to your shooting practices:
1. Run the floor
After a specific amount of made shots, sprint a full length of the floor before continuing.
Once you've completed a few up-and-backs, you'll definitely feel yourself needing to put more focus into every shot.
2. Rebound for yourself
Rebound your own shots instead of getting a parent or teammate to rebound for you.
This will add a quick sprint after every missed or made shot.
9. Work on Your Inside Game, Too!
Want to know what's better than a player who can consistently knock down an outside shot?
A player who can consistently knock down and outside shot AND finish strong at the rim.
Understand this...
When you do become a great shooter, the opposition is going to start defending you differently than your teammates.
The opposition will be forced to player closer to you, they'll jump at more of your shot fakes, and they'll fight over screens instead of slipping under them.
All of this will lead to many more drive opportunities that wouldn't usually be there for a player who struggles shooting from outside.
Make sure you're able to take advantage of these opportunities by having a great shot fake and being able to finish strong around the rim!
10. Know the Shots You Should be Taking During Games
As you move from practices to games, it's important for all players to understand which areas of the floor are good shots for them.
The unwritten rule is that a players should be able to make 6-7/10 from a spot unguarded during practice before they start taking a shot from that spot during games (HS level).
Unfortunately for some, shooting the basketball is not an equal opportunity decision.
If you can't shoot well from certain areas of the court, you don't get to take those shots.
The players who spend thousands of hours in the gym are rewarded during games by shooting more than some of their teammates.
If you want to shoot more, practice more.
Shooting percentage is just as much about decision making as it is about technique.
Jeff Van Gundy
11. Don't Expect Instant Results
There is one thing I can promise you...
You're not going to become a great shooter overnight.
You'll feel like you're not making progress at all...
You'll feel like it's pointless to continue...
You'll feel like you want to give up...
But if you're consistent, the results will come.
This means being consistent with multiple weeks and months of working hard on your shot, not multiple days of practice.
I've had many players come to me upset because they've been making 200 shots a day for five days in a row and they haven't seen any progress.
It doesn't happen that quickly!
The process takes time.
A Special Note for Basketball Coaches...
If a youth player is shooting with bad technique, it's our fault.
Yep, you read that correctly...
Not any one coach specifically, but all of us as a whole.
Players fall into certain shooting habits early and we can't expect 5 - 12 year old kids to know the correct way to shoot a basketball.
It’s our responsibility as coaches to ensure that our players are shooting with great technique by teaching them correct form and using shooting technique drills in practice.
I once wrote an article explaining that there are only two steps to becoming a great shooter…
1. Master the Mechanics (Coach’s responsibility)
The first step to becoming a great shooter is mastering shooting technique.
It’s the coach’s responsibility to learn what great shooting technique is and teach it to their players.
It’s one of our most important roles in assisting players to develop their shot.
2. Lots of Smart Repetitions (Player’s responsibility)
The responsibility of the second step rests solely on the shoulders of each individual player…
Putting in the time to shoot the amount of shots it takes to be a great shooter (I recommend 1,500 makes a week).
There simply isn’t enough time during practice for players to get many shots up during team practice.
The bulk of these makes must come during the player’s own time.
Photo and Video Credit:
A big thank you to Ryan Razooky for providing this blog post with images and videos of the different steps on how to shoot a basketball.
Conclusion
Even after 6,000+ words on how to shoot a basketball, it's important to understand that there is not one 'correct' way to shoot.
Steph Curry
Dirk Nowitzki
Reggie Miller
Ray Allen
Klay Thompson
Peja Stojakovic
All of these players are world-class shooters with very different shooting techniques.
Use the 10-steps I've outlined above as a guide to develop your own shot and then make subtle changes to find what works best for you.
How to Shoot a Basketball Perfectly in 11 Ways
Basketball is one of the most popular sports today. It’s fast-paced nature makes the game exciting, whether you’re playing or simply watching it. The game’s objective is simple. Shoot the ball in the goal and score higher than the opposing team.
In a game of basketball, it’s common for the opposing teams to heavily guard the areas closest to the goal and offer less pressure as you move further. This is because the closer the ball gets to the basket, the higher are the chances of getting the ball in the hoop. What if you and your teammates cannot get a closer shot? Then you need to start learning how to shoot the ball from a distance.
Winning in this game requires players to shoot the ball perfectly. This is the only action in the game that gains points. Therefore, it is almost imperative for any basketball team to get players who are capable of shooting the ball and contributing to offense. This is the only action in the game that gains points.
How to Shoot a Basketball Properly Step by Step
Observing the proper form while shooting is necessary in order to increase the chances of the ball going in the hoop. For teams that regularly compete, one of the skills that coaches want their players to develop is the skill of shooting using the correct form.
Before the player is given time to play, many coaches make sure that the player is able to shoot the ball at a good shooting percentage. By doing so, their chances of getting points whenever they need them are improved. These also work for our great kids basketball training drills.
Getting players to shoot the ball correctly requires training, especially to those who have developed bad habits while doing it. But what exactly are the things that should be taught to players in order to shoot correctly?
When training how to shoot a basketball better should be able to cover the following general concepts:
Basketball Shooting Tips For Youth & Beginners: The Proper Stance, Position and Grip
The act of shooting is similar to a machine and this means that if you want to get the desired result. everything that you do needs to be accomplished smoothly. In learning the first thing that a player should train at would be the correct stance, position, and grip before doing the motion.
By starting the motion correctly, it is more likely that the act will be finished correctly, and gain points for your team. Check out this quick video about basketball shooting:
1. Teaching Proper Shooting Form Basketball
The following steps will serve as a guide to the correct shooting stance and the right way of handling the ball prior to shooting:
Stand with your legs and feet at least shoulder width apart – learning the proper stance is an important element that a player should develop. This is because the legs serve as the source of the force that will be needed to shoot. Think of it as a spring that transfers power to your arms. This position will give optimal force to your shot without having the need to apply too much force coming from the arms.
Position your dominant feet slightly forward – while maintaining the shoulder width stance, it is recommended that your dominant feet is slightly forward.
Keep your knees slightly bent – in order for your legs to become a spring that’s ready to release energy, you need to develop the habit of bending your knees slightly. This will also help you to get ready for jumping and ready to shoot the ball any time you receive it. It will also help you move faster and give you better balance (or even regain it faster) as compared to standing or shooting with your legs straight.
The premise of these points is to help shooters develop a stance that will make it easier for them to shoot the ball. However, players need to consider what makes them comfortable when they take the shot.
When developing this stance, players are encouraged to be conscious of it whenever they are attempting to shoot the ball. Practicing the stance, whether at home or in the court while warming up, will help you get used to it. By doing so, it will be easier for your body to assume the stance whenever you catch and let the ball fly. You will soon become a pro. Summer camps are a great way to help.
2. Right Shooting Position
Once you get used to the stance, you will need to get hold of the ball. But in order to shoot perfectly, it needs to be in the correct position first. This correct position will help you to easily shoot the ball and improve its chances of going in.
The following steps will guide you on the correct position of the ball so that shot attempts are easier:
Know where the “shooting pocket” is – this area is located on the player’s dominant side, usually few inches just about the waist. By knowing where this “sweet spot” is, it will be easier for you to transition from catching the ball to being in a position to shoot it.
Make sure that your elbow is under the ball, not on the side – another position that should be assumed so that shooting the ball will be comfortable is to position your elbow rather than on the side. Getting used to doing the latter could significantly change the direction of your shot.
Practice catching the ball in your shooting pocket so that you can shoot faster. If doing so is not possible (say, you’re catching a broken pass), make sure that you can put the ball in your shooting pocket as fast as you can.
The shooting pocket may be mostly useful in shooting the ball, but learning it (or even catch it) in this area could help set you up for the “triple threat” position (where you can easily pass, dribble, or shoot the ball). This could confuse your opponent as to what you’ll do with the ball.
3. Proper Shooting Grip Basketball
Once the ball is caught and put in your shooting pocket, it’s time to position it for shooting. In this position though, the way you hold the ball could make a difference on the outcome of your shot attempt.
The following steps can be followed if you want to grip the ball properly before shooting:
Before going depth check out this video once.
Make sure that your shooting hand is positioned vertically against the seams of the ball and that your finger pads are parallel to it. This is done so that you can monitor and control the ball’s back spin once you release it.
When you hold the ball, make sure that your fingers are spread. By doing so, it will be easier for you to hold and balance the ball even with one hand.
Your non-dominant hand should be placed on the side of the ball. This position, along with the straight elbow from your dominant hand, will help you shoot the ball in the correct direction.
Make sure that the ball rests on your finger pads when you’re about to shoot. Leave some room between the ball and your palms. This can be developed by holding a small object such as a pen when holding the ball to and from your shooting pocket and shooting position.
4. Basketball Shooting Motion
Now that you know the “preparations” in taking the shot. Just like the first phase, executing the steps correctly is important.
The steps below will guide you on what to do during your shooting motion:
From your shooting pocket, move the ball smoothly to shooting position. This is done by bending your forearm towards your shoulder while raising both arms to eye level and the ball slightly above your head. Make sure that the ball doesn’t go as far as the back of your head or on the side.
Straighten your knees and apply enough force to jump. Make sure that you land on the same position where you jumped.
Upon jumping, exert force using your shooting hand. Release the ball by snapping your elbows and wrist forward. When you start to shoot, make sure that your non-dominant hand comes off the ball first. Combined with jumping, you will only need to exert an adequate amount of force to shoot the ball.
Your wrist should somehow be loose when the shot is released. This is done to get the ball to travel in an arc, rather than a straight line.
Develop your follow-through. When shooting, make sure that your wrists are relaxed. Your fingers should also be pointing to the goal, and can be seen at the top of the back board square. This will help work on your footwork drills.
Read more about: Basketball Training Equipment
5. Shoot a Basketball With Power And Accuracy
The power is what shoots the basketball, it is your driving force, the power comes from your legs and it should generate the upward force when you shoot. The upper body should not be the main source of power, if it is your shot will be unstable and inconsistent. Shoot the ball with your power source, your legs and release the shot when you are going up, not at the top of your shot. You will find when you do this your shooting motion will be more efficient and even easier,you will increase your shooting range as well.
6. Basketball Shooting Alignment
The alignment you need to be lined up with your target you arm needs to be lined up with your target, your elbow should be as close as 90 degrees as possible. I like to have an open stance when a shoot the basketball.
It allows for the shooting motion to become smoother. Shooting is naturally a one-handed shot and when I have an open stance it gives me a free motion when shooting the ball. It also help me to align to the target.
7. Balance and Follow-through
The balance is very important when shooting the ball, you need to be balanced this will cause you to make more shots, When you shoot the ball you should not be leaning backward, if anything you want your momentum going slightly forward when shooting the ball.
Follow-through is very important when you shoot, because wherever your arm goes,that is where the ball is going to go. Point your arm right in the basket and hold it there for a one second count. Your release should have a flopping motion and not be tensed when you shoot.
Try out these tips and let me know how they work for you! Basketball shooting form is important, but the knowledge behind shooting is even more important. Remember every player is different, don’t just do what people tell you, try the techniques out for yourself. Get in the gym and work to get better!
8. Muscle Memory Shooting
If you have never heard of muscle memory, basically it refers to the fact that the physical body remembers different experiences. For example, when you learned to ride a bike, play guitar or surf, you experienced muscle memory.
The same goes for shooting in basketball. For this drill, you simply pick a spot to shoot from and repeatedly shoot, focusing on your form. Having another person to collect the ball each time you shoot is a lot better so you don’t lose your form.
9. Backboard Accuracy Drill
All you need for this drill is a basketball and a in-ground basketball hoop. Using one hand, as you would when you are doing form shooting, you want to shoot the ball off the side of the backboard (SB). When you’re doing this, you’re looking for the ball to come straight back to you.
This is a great drill as the only way for the ball to come straight back, is for you to hit the SB straight on. You start this drill directly in front of the SB and keep shoot until you make five SB shots straight on. Then you take a step back, shoot until you make five shots, and take another five shots, repeating this as long as you want.
10. Lying Back Shooting (Lazy Drill)
This drill is one of the easiest drills you could possibly do. You could do it on the floor, on the couch while you are watching TV, or lying in bed. All you do is: Lie with your back flat with a basketball in your hands and throw the ball straight into the air using one hand, focusing on your form.
Try to throw the basketball straight up so it will land back in your hands. Make sure you follow through each time you throw the ball in the air. This is a great drill to do when you are bored at home as you can easily do this drill while watching TV.
11. Basketball Lay Up Drills For Beginners
Even though lay-ups aren’t long range shots like the other basketball shooting drills we wrote about in this post, they are still part of shooting. Here are a few tips for performing a lay-up:
When performing a lay-up you should always use the backboard, hitting the ball softly off the backboard.
If you’ve never done a lay-up before, make sure to first practice without a ball and learn the proper footwork before also trying to make the lay-up.
Make sure to shoot with your right hand when you are on the right and shoot with your left hand when you are on the left.
Top 3 Best Basketball Shooting Drills For Kids and Youth
If you are an athlete looking to improve you skills when it comes to your shooting, let us share a few basketball shooting drills that the pros use.
The difference between good players and great players is knowledge, practice and passion. There are thousands of training programs on the internet, but how do you know if you are doing the right ones?
These are three basketball shooting drills that are used by pros in the NBA which will require a partner, they are great techniques to bring your shooting skills to the next level. These three basketball shooting drills that are used by Kevin Durant:
Progression 1 – Reverse Pivot – Shot
To have the initial cut open, you will need to have a defender on your back.
If you want to make a high-percentage of your shots, you will need to master the step-out and reverse pivot at top speed in order to get your shots off as fast as possible. With the time the defense has to recover to content the shot, it will be important that you do.
If you want to be effective, creating separation while dribbling is the key. If not, the defender who you originally had the advantage against will interfere with your pull up jump shot and your dribble will have gotten you no where. When the defender blocks the shooter from behind you will see this.
These basketball shooting drills can help defense slides over, you should be able to switch directions with the dribble and take it to the net. You need to be aggressive with the dribble if not, the defender will attack and take advantage of what you do.
Keys to Remember When Shooting
Shooting a basketball is an art; it takes a lot of practice to perfect the art of shooting.
Here are some key tips to remember about shooting.
Shoot with the same form every shot. Just because you miss five shots in a row don’t go and completely revamp your shooting form. If you have the right mechanics in your shot, it’s a matter of a few minor adjustments.
Make sure your non-shooting hand is off of the ball and it is not interfering with your shot causing you to have a bad rotation or hinder the flight off the ball. A good trick to help this, is to practice shooting with just one hand, then add your guide hand when you feel comfortable.
Leave your follow-through up until the ball goes thru the basket, remember wherever your hand goes, that’s where the ball goes.
Make sure you have a smooth shooting motion. Extra motion in your shot lowers your shooting percentage.
Check to make sure you have your elbow in and it is pointing directly at the basket
Check the flight of your shot; you should be shooting with an arc.
Make sure you are balanced and not leaning back on your shot
Video tape yourself shooting the ball, try to get footage from a game and see if you are shooting with the proper fundamentals try to analyses every aspect of your shot.
Use the back board – whether shooting straight or at an angle, getting your shots to fall can be aided by the board. Instead of aiming for the rim, you can instead aim to get the ball to hit the square in the back board. Always aim for the middle of the square, as it will most likely drop straight to the basket. This is useful when shooting layups or taking shots closer to the rim.
Learning how to shoot a basketball requires consistency in doing all the steps. By doing so, you will be ready to play the game competitively and even become a player that everyone is looking for.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you shoot a basketball and make it every time?
The only way to insure that you will make the basket every time you shoot the ball is to practice this every day. You need to practice shooting the ball everyday so your muscles get accustomed to throwing the ball and you are able to duplicate the action, height and distance you need automatically without concentrating on the task.
How do you shoot a basketball for beginners?
You can run up to the basket from the side and jump up while aiming the ball at the basket. You can stand on the free throw line raise the ball above your head, take careful aim and toss the ball into the basket. You will need repeated practice to become proficient at this.
Why can’t I shoot 3 pointers?
You may be having difficulty shooting three pointers because you are rushing yourself. Take a deep breath and take plenty of time to set up your shot. Repeatedly try to make the shot everyday so you develop muscle control and skill that can help you make the basket.
Can’t shoot a basketball straight?
You have to be able to hold your arms straight in order to shoot the basketball straight. This is a learned skill. You have to practice repeatedly to teach yourself to properly shoot the ball and properly maintain body position while playing.
Basketball coaching 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 at 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.
The jump will give momentum to the ball and will allow you not to make sudden movements with the brush.
***
And to be a long-term player, do not forget about your health: take care of your joints and muscles, use tapes, do a warm-up. And be sure to strengthen your arms, legs and shoulder girdle, develop coordination. Regular exercises on uneven bars and horizontal bars will help you with this.
Learn how to throw the ball correctly in basketball: throwing technique
Everything is important in basketball: dribbling, passing, tackle. But all this is not enough if there is no effective finishing blow to the ring. It is the final score that determines the winning team. There are plenty of stars in the NBA who don't rely on conventional shooting techniques. These are Rick Barry, Joaquim Noah, Sean Marion and others. But then they are stars. We will try to figure out what really attracts basketball, how to throw the ball into the ring correctly.
What the beginner needs to know
Throwing techniques should be mastered at an early stage of training. If you do not pay enough attention to this, you will have to relearn, and this is always more difficult. Accuracy directly depends on the technical component, which must be brought to automatism. Stability allows you to gain confidence, courage and the ability to resist the enemy.
Training starts from a short distance - one and a half to two meters. You can use additional equipment by performing throws from a sitting position and standing on a chair. After the young player learns to accurately hit the target without touching the arches of the ring, the distance should be increased.
One of the most contact sports is basketball. How to throw the ball into the ring, if you do not take into account the actions of the defenders? That is why you should practice hitting:
in game pairs or triples of players;
in conditions of passive and active resistance of the enemy;
in a state of fatigue or psychological stress.
Types of shots
Fans of spectacular ball games know that players can throw with both two and one hands. In the course of a match of any professional club, you can see how the attackers do it from a place or on the move. They score after passing, faking, jumping, sometimes flying over the backboard above the basket and pushing the ball from above. The legendary Michael Jordan, who did this especially spectacularly, was even nicknamed "His Airiness".
Depending on the distance to the game board, throws are divided into long, medium and close. The latter are carried out at a distance of up to 3 m from the basket. The indicator of a long-range shot is a mark of 6.25 m, after which the team is awarded not two, but three points for each hit.
How to learn to throw the ball in basketball into the hoop from different positions? To do this, you need to master the technique of basic throws. There are six of them:
From below with two hands.
From below with one hand.
Standing with both hands.
Standing with one hand.
Jump shot.
Hook throw.
Throwing from below
How to throw the ball in basketball from below? Let's take a look at the player's stance first:
Foot placement: shoulder width position. It is not necessary that both feet are on the same line, the left or right can be slightly pushed forward. The legs are slightly bent at the knees. Both socks are directed towards the ring. Body weight is distributed evenly over the balls of the feet. The heels touch the floor, but do not press against it.
Body: back straight, shoulders back, elbows relaxed and slightly bent. The head is raised, the player's gaze is directed to the basket.
Grip the ball: only with the fingers. The palms do not participate in the throw. The ball is held below the belt line at a fairly close distance to the body. The thumbs are directed towards the basket, the rest are looking down.
Movement during hit:
If a player is taking a free kick, a preliminary movement is often used. During it, the ball rises to chest level, and the legs straighten, after which the basketball player takes the starting position and begins to throw at the same pace.
The ball again rises up and forward while straightening the legs. As soon as the arms become parallel to the floor, the player releases the ball with the fingers and hands, giving it a reverse rotational motion. At the same time, the hands seem to accompany the throw, the back is straight, the heels come off the parquet.
With one hand, players score exclusively from under the basket during the fight at the backboard. In this case, the ball is given spin, which the attackers must take into account when preparing to hit the target.
Throwing from the spot
When beginners ask how to throw the ball in basketball from the head, you need to understand that we are talking about hitting from a place. Such a throw is performed from two positions, the second - from the chest. This technique is used when you need to hit a target from a long distance. What is its fundamental difference?
Let's consider the throw from the head. As in the first case, the player must take a stable position, lifting the ball to a level just below the chin. It must be kept at a distance of 30 cm from the body. The elbows are pressed to the body. The throw is performed with the simultaneous extension of the arms and legs. The ball is given rotation with the thumbs along the trajectory up and down. As a result, it will fly towards the target with reverse rotation.
When throwing with one hand, remember that the height to which the ball is carried is determined by the player himself. If he is attacked by a defender, then his chances are increased if he is able to throw over his head.
In a jump
This is the most difficult element of the game, in which it is most difficult for the defender to repel the attack. He needs to predict the actions of the sniper in order to block. Not all professionals know how to throw in a jump. It is used at close range from the ring, although there are legendary athletes who hit the target from the eight-meter mark.
What is the correct way to throw the ball in basketball if there is an opponent in front of you? The answer is unequivocal: in a jump.
The player is pushed off with both feet, both from the spot and with the body turning in the direction of travel. The throw involves not only fingers, hands, but also hands.
..
This is the only action in the game that gains points.
everything that you do needs to be accomplished smoothly. In learning the first thing that a player should train at would be the correct stance, position, and grip before doing the motion.
Think of it as a spring that transfers power to your arms. This position will give optimal force to your shot without having the need to apply too much force coming from the arms.
Practicing the stance, whether at home or in the court while warming up, will help you get used to it. By doing so, it will be easier for your body to assume the stance whenever you catch and let the ball fly. You will soon become a pro. Summer camps are a great way to help.
Getting used to doing the latter could significantly change the direction of your shot.
This is done to get the ball to travel in an arc, rather than a straight line.
I like to have an open stance when a shoot the basketball.
Remember every player is different, don’t just do what people tell you, try the techniques out for yourself. Get in the gym and work to get better!
You start this drill directly in front of the SB and keep shoot until you make five SB shots straight on. Then you take a step back, shoot until you make five shots, and take another five shots, repeating this as long as you want.
Here are a few tips for performing a lay-up:
These three basketball shooting drills that are used by Kevin Durant:
You need to be aggressive with the dribble if not, the defender will attack and take advantage of what you do.
Extra motion in your shot lowers your shooting percentage.
Your raised hands will increase the chance of intercepting the ball from the opponent by 2 times. Don't overlook this little thing! 
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. 
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. 
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). 
It is the final score that determines the winning team. There are plenty of stars in the NBA who don't rely on conventional shooting techniques. These are Rick Barry, Joaquim Noah, Sean Marion and others. But then they are stars. We will try to figure out what really attracts basketball, how to throw the ball into the ring correctly. 
The indicator of a long-range shot is a mark of 6.25 m, after which the team is awarded not two, but three points for each hit. 
As a result, it will fly towards the target with reverse rotation. 
