How to Dunk in a Game

A dunk in a basketball game, especially during a crucial play or in a creative, powerful manner, not only ignites the team, it excites the fans. It's so exhilarating that a separate dunk contest is held in the NBA, college, high school and even on random courts across the world. You don't dunk on accident. Practice and find your most comfortable way to dunk before you try it in a game environment.

Things You'll Need

  • Basketball hoop
  • Tennis ball
  • Basketball
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Instructions

    • 1

      Practice your vertical jumps before the game, without a ball. Touch the rim of the basket with each jump, and progress to extending your hand higher than the rim with each jump. Build your leg strength in the process, and experiment jumping off one leg or both legs.

    • 2

      Practice dunking a tennis ball first, then progress to dunking a basketball. Stand under the goal, jump and dunk. Dribble the basketball toward the goal, time your jump from a manageable spot and dunk.

    • 3

      Transfer the same fluid way you dunked during practice to the way you dunk during a game. Dribble and move toward the basket, avoiding defensive opponents. Reach the spot you plan to leap from on the floor, and plant one or both feet.

    • 4

      Explosively jump toward the rim. Grip the ball with one hand and balance your body with your other arm, if you jump off one leg. Jump off one leg if you need to move faster to avoid any defenders. Grip the ball with both hands if you jump off both legs.

    • 5

      Ascend toward the rim until enough of your wrist and the ball are above the rim. Dunk the ball down through the rim.