Basketball Shooting Secrets

Basketball is a sport that requires a variety of skill sets. Athletes need to be able to handle the ball, play effective defense and shoot the ball accurately. Players spend numerous hours practicing how to shoot the ball from various points on the court and in different situations. The ability to shoot well makes you more valuable to the team as a scoring option.

  1. Creating Space

    • On offense, player spacing is an important concept. With the right amount of space, an offensive player can move the ball, make passes and take better shots. One secret to shooting a basketball is learning how to create this space. Some players use their quickness and ball-control abilities to get open from their defenders. Others use teammates' screens or moving without the ball to find an open spot on the court. Another way to earn this space from your defender is adding height to your jump shot. Push through your legs to get the most height each time you jump. Then shoot the ball while at your highest point. At the beginning, you may have a hard time because of the extra strain on your legs or finding the right timing to shoot. However, adding height to your jump shots will help you get more effective looks at the basket.

    Quicker Shot Release

    • Shooting the ball against good defensive players and pressure is vital to any player on any level. Defensive players are going to try to force you into bad shots and making mistakes with the ball. Reducing the time it takes for you to get a shot off will lower the chances for a defensive player to disrupt your shot. Having a quick release will allow you to shoot the ball before the pressure can affect you. One way to practice this skill is by setting up a rack of basketballs on various spots on the floor. Run to the rack and try to shoot as many times as possible within a set time limit. The point is not to rush the shot; keep the same form that you normally would. However, go through your motions much faster to get the shot off quicker.

    Shooting Form

    • A shooter’s form is an often debated topic within basketball. Some players have a shooting form that is stressed by coaches. Others have developed variations of this form that works better for them. However, teaching proper shooting form to beginning players can help them develop the mechanics needed to become effective shooters. When shooting the ball, hold it far enough back in your hand that your wrist bends back. Place your hand directly behind the ball to push the ball toward the target. Follow-through is important to developing a shooter’s form. The arm should be extended outward with the wrist bent toward the ground. When taking a jump shot, try to jump straight up and straight down. This will help improve your balance so your shot isn’t off target. However, this is not always possible because of defenses or shooting on the run.