How to Get Your Jump Shots to Be Better

Watching an NBA player make a one-handed jump shot from the center circle can inspire the athlete in many people. The high arc of the ball and the ease with which it swishes through the net can be enviable. The professional players make it look so graceful and simple. The jump shot, however, can be challenging and frustrating to master. With perseverance, dedication, practice and the tools below, you can take steps to improving your own jump shot and your basketball game in general.

Things You'll Need

  • Basketball
  • Basketball court or goal
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Instructions

    • 1
      Having a friend help with your form can be beneficial.

      Review your form. It is very difficult to improve your jump shot when your fundamentals aren't clean. Make sure you are bending your knees, handling the ball correctly, putting the right amount of spin on it and extending your legs properly. It may help you to have a coach or teammate watch you shoot and correct your form if necessary. Once you begin developing bad habits, they are very difficult to undo, and your jump shot won't improve if your fundamentals aren't up to par.

    • 2
      Getting a really deep bend in the knees gives you more power.

      Bend your knees and focus on improving the height of your jump. Getting height as you shoot is one of the most important things to remember. Without really bending your knees and really jumping, you won't get the arc you need and the ball will be easily blocked by your opponent. It is wise to practice bending and jumping repeatedly, without taking a shot, so you can focus on the move and the motion without having to focus on aiming and shooting. Once the fundamentals of bending and jumping improve, your accuracy and height will improve as well.

    • 3
      The release is the moment the ball leaves your hands.

      Practice perfecting your release with "quick release" drills. After you have your bending and jumping down, pick the ball up again and work on the speed at which you release it. It is best if you have a partner for the exercise. Have your partner throw the ball to you, catch it and release it as quickly as possible. Focus solely on the speed at which you release the ball. You can also do this by yourself if you can bounce the ball to yourself with back spin, catch it and then release into the jump shot.

    • 4
      Practice using the backboard focusing on angles and accuracy.

      Learn to use the backboard. The backboard can help you with precision and accuracy and it also greatly diminishes the number of air balls in your shots. If you aim for the back rim, and the height and speed of your shot is sufficient, the chances are likely you will bounce off the backboard and make the shot. It is much easier to make a shot off the backboard than to have a perfect "swish."

    • 5

      Shoot from different court locations. The last thing you want to do is perfect the jump shot from only one place on the court. You need to be able to make it from any distance and from any angle. This exercise is also best with a partner. Choose 5 spots on the court, go to the first one and have your partner toss you the ball. Take the jump shot and run to the second spot. Your partner will throw the ball to you again, and you take the second jump shot. You then repeat this process for the remaining 3 spots.

    • 6

      Practice your shot on a regular basis. You will never improve your jump shot without dedicated and determined practice. Make a practice schedule for yourself and stick with it. Ask different friends and family members to help work with you and keep you on track. Don't beat yourself up or quit if you miss a day or have a poor session.