How to Shoot 3 Pointers

Shooting a three-point shot is not something that you can pick up and start doing overnight. It takes practice and plenty of coaching. When you extend your shot out that far, it becomes imperative that you have the proper shooting form to succeed. Fortunately, there are some things that you can do to learn to shoot the three with some degree of success, regardless of your skill level.

Things You'll Need

  • Basketball hoop
  • Basketballs
  • Three point line
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Instructions

  1. Proper Form For Three Pointers

    • 1

      Place your feet shoulder length apart and firmly underneath you. This solid shooting base is vital to your balance and accuracy.

    • 2

      Square up your body to the basket before shooting the three-point shot. This will keep your target squarely in sight and in a natural shooting angle.

    • 3

      Bend your knees and elevate off the floor in a normal shooting motion. The form and height of the jump should be the same from the three-point line as it would be from under the basket.

    • 4

      Tuck your shooting elbow into your body in such fashion that it is in line with your body-- straight up and down. This ensures that the shot stays in line and that you get good rotation on the ball.

    • 5

      Focus on the front of the rim as you are shooting the three. This allows you to have a central focus point and to shoot the ball just over the rim. If you are shooting from the sides or at an angle, move your focus to the front of the rim from your position.

    • 6

      Release the ball at the height of the jump and rotate the ball off your shooting hand with a backwards spin on the ball. Be careful to not allow your other hand to come into the shot. It is to be used only as a guide.

    • 7

      Follow through on the three-point shot all the way and then head into the paint for the rebound in case of a miss. You do not want to fade away or head back down the court until the ball is in the hoop.

    Training For Excellence

    • 8

      Dedicate at least thirty minutes per day to practicing three pointers. Shooting them from different spots on the floor will allow you to naturally shoot them in the game.

    • 9

      Practice keeping perfect form regardless of the results in the beginning. Many people adjust their form and then suffer bad results later. It is better to learn with perfect form.

    • 10

      Refrain from shooting the three until your coach gives you the green light to do so. If you are not consistent yet, the results could be devastating to the team.