Tips on Fixing Your Shot & Becoming a Better Basketball Player

If you struggle to make shots consistently on the basketball court, your confidence takes a big hit. Before your performance gets you into a rut, take time to iron out your shooting mechanics. A few basic fundamentals may make all the difference when it comes to knocking down that game-winning shot or watching it clank off the rim.

  1. Focus on the Target

    • As a shooter, you need to have tunnel vision. Mentioning the importance of keeping your eyes locked on the goal as you take your shot sounds obvious, but distractions are plentiful in game situations. A defender may rush at you with his arm outstretched to block for a block or you may feel the urge to glance up at the scoreboard to see how much time you have to get off a shot. Keep your attention exclusively on your target instead of the potential distractions around you.

    Learn Proper Balance

    • Make sure your stance is well balanced before taking a shot. You need to develop a solid foundation underneath you to achieve optimal balance. Keep your feet roughly shoulder width apart and even with each other. Never put one foot in front of the other before shooting. Bend your knees to generate more power and accuracy. As you release the ball, your feet should land in the same position they were in before the jump.

    Use Arc

    • The flatter your shot is, the less margin for error you have on your accuracy. Shooting on a straight line offers no benefit; not only is your shot more vulnerable to getting blocked, it also hurts your chances of getting a fortuitous bounce off the rim and into the net. End your follow through with the rim barely visible below the fingers of your shooting hand to get the best possible arc. Make sure to bend your wrist gently, not firmly; the ball should roll off your fingertips smoothly.

    Practice

    • Nothing compares to spending hands-on time on the court. No matter how much mechanical advice you get on improving your shot, none of it matters until you practice it to perfection. Tucker Neale, former NCAA and Germany basketball star as well as renowned basketball instructor, recommends taking at least 300 to 500 shots daily to properly refine your shooting mechanics. Shoot until your body naturally falls into the proper form without you even having to think about it.