How Do You Shoot a Basketball Correctly?

Knowing the correct method of shooting a basketball is of the essence during a game. You need to master the skill to secure a place in the NBA. It doesn’t matter if you are not gifted with an incredible height, but controlling and honing your shooting ability is enough to make you a pro player. If you spend a great deal of time to practice basketball shooting and develop your shot, it will surely pay you off in:

• Making a perfect team
• Getting more playing time
• Earning more points on the scoreboard
• Increased and consistent scoring
• Feeling confident on the court
• Proving your work on the court

You need excellent shooting form and technique to be able to become a shooting virtuoso. However, there is no specific technique that you need to follow. When you see great shooters, you’ll notice that the form and technique are unique to each of them, based on what works for them. But, almost all well-known shooters follow some basic principles, and

Principles to Follow While You Practice Basketball Shooting

Apart from regularly practicing with the help of a facility basketball machine, you can keep these points in mind while shooting in a game:

Shot Preparation

• Start with your hips and knees slightly bent because if you get hold of the basketball with straight legs, it will take additional time to bend your legs before jacking up for your shot.
• Show target hands as it enables the player with the ball to understand where to pass the ball exactly.
• Be mentally prepared to shoot even before you catch the basketball, as it is a very fast-paced game.

Hand Placement

It would be best if you made these adjustments immediately upon receiving the basketball:

• The shooting hand must be behind/under the ball, and the balance hand should be placed on the side of the

• Your shooting hand’s thumb should form a ‘T’ with the thumb’s base on your balance hand.
• All hand pads and finger pads should be touching the basketball. The only area of your shooting hand that should not touch the basketball is the small gap in the palm’s center.
• Your fingers should be spread widely and comfortable on the ball.

You can brush up these skills on the court by practicing with other players, or you can get yourself a basketball training machine to practice at home.

Balanced Base

Balancing enables you to become a great shooter, and great shooting always starts with the base. Keep the following things in mind to balance your base:

• The feet should be slightly narrower than shoulder-width apart because if the feet are too narrow, it will be difficult to balance when you are raising for the shot. And, if your feet are too wide, you will fail to get an adequate lift in your shot.
• Dominant foot should be placed slightly in front as it will release the tension in your shoulder and improve the balance of your shot.
• Your weight should be distributed equally on each foot.

Feet Direction

• A player’s feet should be turned slightly in either direction when shooting the basketball.

To understand the importance of this step, try experimenting- stand at the free-throw line with all your toes pointing towards the rim. While shooting this base, if you keep your elbow lined up with the rim, you’ll see that tension is needed in the chest. Turning the feet slightly in either direction will enable you to relieve your body of this tension by lining up the elbow and shoulder perfectly with the rim.

Consistent Shot Pocket

A shot pocket is the most comfortable position for a player to begin their shot. It is unique to each individual, and you should practice basketball shooting more and more to figure out your shot pocket. Before raising to take your shot, it is e

• Consistent shot pocket enables you to shoot the same way every time.
• A shot pocket gives a player a much better rhythm for their shot.

Eyes On the Target

When it comes to the target, players have several options. No matter which target you decide to use, once you find a target that you are most comfortable with, be consistent with it. Allow your shot to develop using that particular target to become a great shooter.

Folding the Wrist

• The wrist of your shooting hand should be bent back as far as possible to give extra power to your shot. It will also create the backspin required to become a great shooter.

The convenient visual cue for you to know that you’re correctly bending your wrist is the formation of wrinkles in the skin on the back of the shooting wrist.

Elbow Under Basketball

• Your shooting arm’s elbow should be placed directly under the basketball in a way that your lower and upper arm forms an ‘L’ shape. Doing this will ensure that the shot is in a straight line with the rim.

You can practice this form by shooting more rapidly with the assistance of a basketball training machine.

Balance Hand

The Balance hand, also known as the non-shooting hand, helps maintain the basketball balance on the shooting hand up until the ball is released.

• A player should not exert force from the balance hand while shooting. The balance hand should be flat on the release of the basketball.

Rhythm Shot

After keeping all these points in mind, you should develop your rhythm shot. After the rhythm of your jump shot, your body will automatically be guided slightly forward from the place you took off. It is advisable to hold that position until the ball has hit the rim so that you will be able to evaluate your technique.

In the End

You are not going to become a pro shooter overnight. Correct form and technique come with more and more practice with fellow players or a facility basketball machine. If you stay consistent with your practice, the results will come.