21 Easy Ways to Improve Your Basketball Shooting Percentage
By Jeff Haefner
Tip #1 – Locate Your Target (the Rim) Earlier
Getting in the habit of locating your target (the rim) earlier will improve your shooting percentage. Why?
Locating the rim just a split second earlier gives your brain more time to subconsciously calculate distance and focus on your objective. Your eyes should be on the rim as early as possible. To make this little trick work, you need to develop this habit in practice, which carries over into games.
Tip #2 – Always Hold Your Follow Through
You’ve probably heard this a hundred times but there’s good reason for it. Holding your follow through solves a multitude of shooting problems. This simple movement helps you maintain good basketball shooting technique without even thinking about it.
Tip #3 – Finish with a Floppy Wrist
A common mistake is for players to follow-through with a tense wrist. Your wrist should be as relaxed as possible. Your hand should finish on line and often bouncing during follow-through.
Tip #4 – Use a Colored Ball to Improve Rotation
To improve the straightness of your shot, try a colored basketball during practice. This makes it easy to see the rotation and direction of the ball. The immediate feedback makes it quick and easy for you to adjust and improve your shot.
Tip #5 – Don’t Shoot like Kobe
TOO many kids try to copy Kobe and end up with bad shots for the REST OF THEIR LIVES!
Youngsters have no business trying to hang like Kobe and shoot. Kobe is a freak of nature! You should shoot as you’re going up (at least 1 inch before you reach the top of your jump). Trying to mimic Kobe’s shot will just earn you a place on the bench and lots of frustration.
Tip #6 - Stop Thinking about Your Shot During Games
One of the worst things you can do is think about your shooting mechanics during a game.
Thinking about your shot is for practice, NOT for games! In fact, you should only think during certain parts of your practice. It’s ok to think during a form shooting session or when learning a new skill, but once you start developing rhythm and get further into practice, don’t think!
During games, train yourself to think about other things or nothing at all.
You’re going to miss a few. So what! Don’t think, just shoot the damn ball!!!
If you adopt this mentality, your shooting percentage will go UP.
Tip # 7 – Eliminate Negative Thoughts with this Simple Trick
Eliminating negative thoughts can dramatically improve your basketball shooting percentage.
To stop thinking and eliminate bad thoughts, you can try this little trick…
Before each game, practice, and shooting session, tell yourself that you don’t care if you make any baskets. Say it out loud or in your head several times.
THEN, when you go to shoot (right as you’re catching the ball), say something to yourself like, “Nice shot. I can do better.” In other words, try not to care if it goes in or not.
This simple little trick helps you to relax into the process and not think about the result. Using this technique will be enough to break you out of mini slumps and restore your confidence.
Tip #8 – Develop Optimal Arc
DID YOU KNOW that a shot with a flat 35 degree arc only has .6 inches of margin for the ball to clear without hitting the rim? The shot has to be almost perfect to get a swish.
BUT a shot with a 45 degree medium height arc has a 3 inch margin of error!
That’s right. Just by increasing the arc of your shot, your margin of error could increase as much as 500%!
How many shots bounce OUT of the basket because you missed by just a fraction?
As a general rule of thumb, finish your follow through with the rim clearly visible beneath the fingers of your shooting hand. That way you will ensure that you have a decent arc on the shot. Shots with proper arch have a much better chance of going in.
Just don’t go too high. Because if your arc gets too high, you’ll loose your distance control.
Tip #9 – Watch DVDs
Simply by watching great shooters groove their shots over and over, you can improve your confidence and form.
The good habits and examples can be contagious. As you watch, the good form becomes ingrained in your mind.
Not to mention, you should never stop learning. There are lots of good shooting DVDs and books for you to learn from.
Tip #10 – Use a Partner to Tune your Shot Alignment
Spend a little time during each practice lined up along a court line about 20 feet from a partner, shooting back and forth and trying to have the ball bounce as close to the line as possible. This simple practice technique will help you to fine tune your control of the precision of your shot.
Tip #11 – Land in the Same Spot
Balance is a very important aspect of shooting. You achieve balance primarily through a proper stance and footwork. After your shot, you should land pretty much exactly where you started. This means you have established good balance from your stance.
Tip #12 – Film Your Shot
You’d be amazed at how filming your shot in both games and practices can help you.
The most common response from players is… “That’s how I shoot!!??”
That’s right. Most players haven’t seen their own shot before. Seeing your shot on film can help you to detect poor mechanics and motivate you to make commitments for improvement. Bottom line– it’s a great way to refine your shot.
Tip #13 – Get a Partner
When possible, try to shoot with a partner. Because when you’re alone, you end up chasing the rebound before following through properly.
This is important. Think about how you practice…
You shoot and then you start following the shot immediately so you can get lots of reps. Guess what? This can mess up your follow-through. You need to FINISH each shot and hold your follow-through. That’s why we recommend getting a partner to rebound for you. Now just because you can’t find a partner you can (and should) still practice by yourself. Just be aware of holding your follow through.
Tip #14 - Fix Bad Habits by Immediately Correcting Your Shot
This is one of the easiest ways to break bad shooting habits. For example, let’s say you forgot to hold your follow-through. Well, immediately after you shoot, raise your hand back up and put your hand in the correct follow-through position. This simple technique will help you quickly correct the bad habit
Tip #15 - Use a Return Device
Using basketball rebounding and return devices can literally double the number of shots you can take in practice. Just think how much time you spend chasing the ball when you practice. A return device solves that problem and lets you take more shots in less time.
Tip #16 – Keep the Ball Above Your Waist
When you catch the ball, always keep the ball above your waist and in the shot pocket. There’s NO need to dip the ball. This is wasted movement.
Tip #17 – Don’t Fall for Gimmicks
Too many players spend their hard earned money on shooting gloves and gimmicks, thinking this will make them great shooters.
You can’t use these devices during a game so it really doesn’t do you much good. You need to learn how to shoot effectively without these devices. There is NO magic pill.
Tip # 18 – Keep Your Shot Motion Balanced, Fluid, and Consistent
A fluid motion means that there are no jerky movements or stopping points, just one constant flow from start to finish.
Consistency can’t be stressed enough. Your feet, arms, shot pocket, and jump height should use a consistent motion every time you shoot. All the greatest shooters in the world have amazingly consistent movements.
Tip #19 – Groove 50 Shots Before Every Game
Before every practice and game, face the basket and shoot 50 EASY shots about four to ten feet from the basket.
Not only does this improve your shooting form, but it helps to develop phenomenal confidence.
You’ll quickly become very good at grooving these shots over and over. You’ll see the ball going in the basket over and over. You’ll swish the ball repeatedly and probably shoot 60%, 70%, 80%, or more, which is great for your psyche.
Why do you think that NBA players do this before games? Why do you think that Tiger Woods starts all of his practice sessions by making 100 three-foot putts?
Because it works! Don’t overlook this powerful strategy.
Tip #20 – Quickly Chart Your Shot to Determine Tendencies
Head to the gym and shoot a bare minimum of 50 shots. Ask your partner to chart your shots. The KEY is to chart the detailed results of each shot. You will track how many shots fell short, too long, to the left, and to the right. This information will help you to determine what you need to work on.
For example, if you consistently miss short (like many players do), you’ll need to work on your power and distance control. If you consistently miss to the right and the left, you need to fix the mechanics of your foot and/or arm alignment.
Tip #21 - Work Game-Like Movement into Your Practice
To make game shots, you need to practice game shots. You should use good shooting drills and practice movement off screens, cuts, chairs, and pivoting in both directions.
Get to the Gym and Apply What You’ve Learned
There ya go… 21 simple ways for you to improve your basketball shooting percentage. Now get to the gym, apply what you’ve learned, and knock down more shots!!
74 Comments
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tochukwu aghason — September 19, 2008 @ 6:16 am
pls i need u help me get to a b ball camp abroad i always have the dream of becoming a pro baller
jacky — September 23, 2008 @ 10:32 pm
thank you for sharing your knowledge about basketball. it will help me to improve and to become a good player.
Hamza — September 25, 2008 @ 2:38 am
hI GREAT JOB YOU GUYS ARE DOING…THE WEBSITE IS A LIFE SAVER AND JUST HOPE YOUR DRILL WILL GET ANIMATED FOR EASY COMPREHENSION AND BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE MOVEMENTS IN PLAYS AND DRILLS…THANKS AND KEEP UP THE GOOD JOB
nicktheballer — September 25, 2008 @ 2:57 am
cheers, help me 2 more 20 plus point games and 10 asists. keep going
Brian — September 25, 2008 @ 3:40 pm
#22 Shoot better shots. If you use the charting concept, you should know where you shoot well from and where you shoot poorly. Shoot good shots and your percentage will increase. Even better, if your coach charts your shots during games, see where you shoot well during games and shoot more of those shots and see where you shoot poorly and practice those shots.
This is a huge key to success. Few people actually track their own shooting in games or practice. How do you improve if you don’t know how you are doing?
LAZAROS — September 25, 2008 @ 3:51 pm
I AM FROM GREECE AND I PLAY BASKET FRO 6 YEARS.I AM A GOOD PLAYER AND I WANT TO BECOME BETTER IN ORDER TO PLAY IN A PROFESIONAL TEAM.EVERY COACH HOW WANTS TO COACHING ME CAN SEND ME AN EMAIL.
Leif Dias — September 26, 2008 @ 4:40 pm
i am a good thrower as it is but i want more i want ot be better i can all ready make threes. i have a 80% but i am not satisfied i want even MORE…
basketball kid — September 28, 2008 @ 6:43 pm
im loving it
kris — September 30, 2008 @ 9:47 pm
thanks you guys. this will really help us
nix — October 2, 2008 @ 12:27 am
thanks,,il be a good shooter now…
pankaj sharma — October 18, 2008 @ 12:12 pm
very nice ,give me some tips of this……….
BallerGirl — November 11, 2008 @ 7:31 pm
Thank you for the great advice. I’ve tried most of it and can already see some improvement. What it’s mostly improved is my psyche.
ReppinNike — November 14, 2008 @ 4:49 am
is there any basketball camps in QLD austrlia?
Gonzalo Rodriguez — November 19, 2008 @ 12:02 am
Thank you so much for these tips. I’ll use them during tryouts
Ezzie Gan — November 28, 2008 @ 3:13 pm
Thanks for the tips. ill apply them right away and improve my skills.
Arneshia — December 18, 2008 @ 12:00 pm
thank u 4 the tips i’m doin better
MJ23ballaking — December 22, 2008 @ 10:13 pm
thanks a whole lot 4 the simple tips for any1 im doin sooo much betta
kayla — December 29, 2008 @ 8:02 pm
thanks for the tips and help
Hannah — January 11, 2009 @ 6:01 pm
Thank you so much!!!!!!! I am doing alot better!
thankyousr — January 13, 2009 @ 1:11 am
thanks very mooch!
jake — February 4, 2009 @ 4:31 pm
THX
Jim — March 15, 2009 @ 8:06 am
great tips, really helpful
big IRISH nick 11 — April 11, 2009 @ 8:50 pm
hey id like to say that tip 19 the shoot the 50 shots be4 a game works every time for confidance i do it all the tym and knock down 28 points for 85 % shooting i am lookin to incrreasee my range as i can play all positions but im truely a center any tips for improveing your range???.
Marcela Zaldivar — April 29, 2009 @ 9:27 pm
UH, NOT HELPING THIS PROGRAM IS A WASTE OF MY TIME AND MY TEAMS TIME. I’M GOING TO FIND PROFESSIONAL HELP FROM PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE !!!!
Marcela Zaldivar — April 29, 2009 @ 9:28 pm
You, need to find professional help!!!
ddio — June 6, 2009 @ 1:00 am
i learned a lot from this… thanks…
rj — July 28, 2009 @ 8:56 pm
thanks a whole lot 4 the simple tips for any1 im doin sooo much better.
I’ve tried most of it and can already see some improvement. W
rj — July 28, 2009 @ 8:56 pm
thanks a whole lot 4 the simple tips for any1 im doin sooo much better.
I’ve tried most of it and can already see some improvement.
rj — July 28, 2009 @ 8:57 pm
ive tried all of ur tips and helps me during my games…..tnx a lot 4 the big help…
the next kobe — September 9, 2009 @ 11:26 am
thank you and i will improve my shot
amazuwa — September 16, 2009 @ 9:44 am
men the web is a real freak and piercing to the brain for me who luv hoops dude
Gooby Dribble — September 23, 2009 @ 12:25 am
Never underestimate the power of the mind. If you think you can you will. If you think cant you will. If you think you can dunk it from the free throw line you will do that too. Just think it and do it. Some times jumping higher and further can be achieved by doing 19 consecutive summersaults beore a game. Give it a shot and see how you glide!
kk — September 30, 2009 @ 4:11 am
cool!!! i will practice it
yoshika casey — October 30, 2009 @ 11:15 am
This was some good and helpful information. I will try to remember these techniques when I play basketball.
alvin — November 2, 2009 @ 7:48 am
cool tips!
RASHAAN — November 4, 2009 @ 9:44 am
IM gone try thiz wen i get out of schhol
chelsea — November 5, 2009 @ 11:32 am
Good tips, lol..
Baller Girl — November 5, 2009 @ 11:33 am
you guys forgot dont stress!
Pit bull grl — November 5, 2009 @ 7:58 pm
thnx sooooo much im better all ready!!!!!
Bruno — December 7, 2009 @ 4:30 am
well thnks but a little animation could help alot i believe.am learning and i hope this can help me improve
BBall North — February 21, 2010 @ 7:36 am
Always good to have a check list of things to consider. Thanks for putting it into such a logical list.
(and to Marcela Zaldivar from April 09… “you do need professional help; but it’s not from a basketball pro! Learn to chill! I pity your team”
A TRUE BALLER — February 21, 2010 @ 6:02 pm
thnx dude i hope this worx i can already handle the ball well and i average six steals per game its just im only averaging 14 poiints a game hope this helps
Muntstar Muntanga Mabeta — April 25, 2010 @ 5:57 am
This has really done a lot to me a a high school basketballer.Pleas continue it’s very touching in my career and others.
Karelvp — May 24, 2010 @ 1:39 am
Best shot guide I’ve read on the internet.
melanie — May 24, 2010 @ 3:59 pm
am really going to be a great basketball player after all this tips i hope. please continue to make us great heros of the basketball game
A — June 17, 2010 @ 7:47 pm
O my gosh tip 7 amazing
NoVa — August 2, 2010 @ 3:27 am
wow!!!it helps me in my shooting…at least i still can survive to play 4 my clooege…
Anklebreaker2.0 — August 4, 2010 @ 4:04 pm
yo this helped me inprove my shot more than jj redicks dvd. I cant believe the advancement of my jumper
aishwarya — August 16, 2010 @ 10:54 am
I find it easier to shoot when I have the chance of looking at the backboard a second earlier, but it is difficult for me to shoot when I keep looking at the backboard. In short my reaction time is great. What should I do?
jerseyballer — August 24, 2010 @ 1:58 pm
I am a current college basketball player and a pretty good shooter and even I could practice some of these things to perfect my shot or get as close as possible
ashford pettay — September 15, 2010 @ 10:27 am
all of you are all jokes your just a bunch of posers i live in waynesville nc i play basketball everday and i go to the waynesville recreation if you think your good try me punks i go everday ill show you who the next kobe is punks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
gesh — November 24, 2010 @ 11:28 am
u can try to do this bt the simple fact is some people have a god givin talent and they work that into skill bye following these steps. i have seen contless people train for months on end following these exact methods it dosn’t mean it dosn’s work some peaople are just gifted
Hard work is key — November 28, 2010 @ 11:27 am
this is very helpful. although u was aware of most of it, its good to hear it again.
Mjendrock anklebraker234 — November 30, 2010 @ 11:19 am
Very helpful tips. thanks for your time on helping others improve their gAME.
jake — January 8, 2011 @ 12:07 am
hi iam a coach @ a small school in WI i have done it for 3 years now and would like to thank you so much for your e mails .its helped me through alot. the drills and the way to approach the youth girls and how to get them out of bad habits 4th 5th and now 6th grade my biggest problem is the drama and tudes now!!!!!!! but i hope they will grow out of that could go on and on but bottom line is thanks!!!!!!!
Jaren — January 30, 2011 @ 12:31 pm
I’m going to do it all because people say I’m a great basketball player but I don’t want to stop untill I can be the best I can so thanks for the help
» Training for Basketball — February 10, 2011 @ 3:22 pm
[...] Door Basketball Hoop: Don’t underestimate the value of having a hoop where you hang out most in your house. Door basketball hoops are small in size, but simply being able to practice your aim throughout the day (especially when the weather is bad outside) will still help improve your skills. [...]
Trey — February 16, 2011 @ 10:52 am
man you guys are like basketball wizards!!! seriously thanks for your amazing tips
Patrick — February 28, 2011 @ 10:31 pm
thank you man. i’ll improve them more.
John — March 5, 2011 @ 5:27 pm
My favorite tip of this post is about watching DVDS. I know for a fact that watching dvds of great players helped me become the great player I am today. Nice article
lukas — June 4, 2011 @ 1:42 pm
i am going to be in the NBA. i promise. watch in 10 years.
Tyson — June 25, 2011 @ 4:02 am
thanks for this, just read it and got a semi final tomorrow and hopefully it will help me. my shooting lately has been really bad, and may i ask, is there any other way to get to the NBA other than going to districs and getting picked ?
svishnoi — August 25, 2011 @ 6:17 am
that is great
thanks
bernard pickson — September 16, 2011 @ 2:13 pm
i luv it
sharif mgwira — September 17, 2011 @ 2:02 am
it helped me alot, big up to u
Eli B. — December 5, 2011 @ 12:50 am
This stuff is completely true! I’ve tried a lot of these tips and my shot keeps getting better and better. Thanks man!
p.s. the best one is filming your shot because it allows you to see flaws in your form
Gary Logen I. Radaza — December 19, 2011 @ 6:23 am
thank you so much for all the shooting drills that ive learned in this website it really helps me a lot as a coach. God will surely bless u…
jemi — January 9, 2012 @ 7:19 am
Thank u so much .All these tips helped me a lot when playing.tnx
Will C. — January 14, 2012 @ 4:01 pm
I was doing my science fair project and I used this site for my research and I got 1st place in the science fair. THANK YOU!!!
Step your jump shot game up! | Hoopers Anonymous — January 17, 2012 @ 1:30 am
[...] I like most about the tips outlined in the post, here, is that the author covers the often overlooked mental aspect of jump shooting. It may sound a tad [...]
asian — January 17, 2012 @ 7:20 pm
thank u good information
Improve Your Basketball Skills » CSU REC — January 24, 2012 @ 10:54 am
[...] For more tips, visit Breakthrough Basketball. [...]
Gracie — January 26, 2012 @ 2:09 pm
I love this this is awesome and super helpful. my daughter made her very first three pointer last night in her game and she is only in 4th grade!!!
miraiha — February 2, 2012 @ 3:30 pm
Last year I would make 90 % of my shots &’ somehow this year I can’t make ONE but after reading this I tried all these techniques &’ it worked I improved , thanks a bunch!