Fundamentals of Shooting - Proper Shooting Form
To be a consistent shooter in basketball having the proper shooting form is a must. Consistency in shooting takes time, practice, repetition and dedication. Even a natural born athlete needs to work on their shot. The more you practice the better shooter you will become. "Practice Makes Permanent".
Shooting the basketball a player needs to be square to their target. Their feet, hips, and shoulders need to be square to the basket.
Now we are going to break down the basketball shot. Look at the picture below for reference to the following form directions:
- Shooting elbow needs to be at a 90 degree angle. Your elbow needs to be in line with your shoulder. Your elbow needs to point down to your knee and foot, but remains at a 90 degree angle and be in line with your shoulder. The ball is slightly above your head resting on your finger tips.
- By having your elbow tucked as mentioned above and being square to the basket you are now in the proper alignment.
- When you are in the act of shooting you will bend your knees down, then jump straight up fully extending your shooting arm up into the air and towards your target at the top of your shot. As your hand points toward your target at the top of the shot you hand forms a fishhook type of look. As the ball is released from your hand it should leave the hand in a "flipping" motion not a "push" motion at the top. The last finger to touch the ball is your index finger.
- As you flip your hand at the top of your shot this will create back spin on the ball and your motion going upwards will create arc on your shot.
- You are now ready to practice and become the shooter that you want to be. See the warm up drill below to start your practice with consistency.
Shooting Warmups
 I recommend the following warm up procedure:
- Miken Drill - Make 5 from each side consecutively. If you miss then restart from zero.
- Reverse Miken Drill - Make 5 from each side consecutively. If you miss then restart from zero.
- One Handed Shooting - Place the basketball in your shooting hand, place your non shooting hand behind your back, stand 5 feet away from the basket and using the proper form make 10 sots in a row, after that move one step back and repeat, keep backing up shooting one handed until you reach the end of the key.
- Free Standing Shots - Stand around the basket within 15 feet and make 5 consecutive shots from the same spot, then pick another spot.
- One Dribble SHooting - Jab step and pump fake to the left, cross-over the ball to the right side with one dribble and shoot. After 5 minutes jab step and pump fake to the right t, cross-over the ball to the left side with one dribble and shoot the jump shot.
- Be Consistent - Start out every practice like this to become a consistent shooter.
|
