Proper Basketball Shooting Technique, Fundamentals, and Form

I'm already a fundamentally sound shooter
STATS: 16/17
But the intructions does help beginners that need some work

I am a first time coach of 4th & 5th graders. What do i need to focus on with these boys to give them a good fundamental start. Thanks, any help would be great. TFB

Hi Thomas,

If you go to this link and scroll to the bottom of the page, it will give you a good idea of what to teach: http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/coaching/youthbasketball.html

Hi, i am a pretty consistent shooter and am considering buying a rim reducer to take my shot to the next level
there are two i cannot decide from
one reduces the rim from 18 to 16 inches and raises it 1 inch
the other reduces the rim from 18 to 12 inches and raises it two inches
i am 15 years old
please advise

Hi Hadi,

I have never used a rim reducer and I don't think you need one to become a great shooter, but here are some of my thoughts.

A rim reducer will force you to become more accurate when shooting. When you take the rim reducer off, it should feel easier to make the shots.

On the other side, it could decrease shooting confidence if you see yourself miss too much with the rim reducer on the hoop.

So, I would only shoot with a rim reducer part of the workout.

Thank you thats a great help

I am 13 but i cant get a good form, i either shoot it over my head with a good release or i shoot with my elbow out if im trying to keep it below my head, i cant get in between is there a drill i could do to get it to be in the right spot

Hi Nelson,

To figure out where your elbow should be:

1. Squat slightly and place your hand on your leg that is on the same side as your shooting hand.

2. Bring your hand up into the shooting position. Let your elbow just folllow where it would go naturally. That should be the placement of your elbow when you shoot. Don't strain your elbow.

The important thing is to have the ball travel from your shot pocket to your release to the hoop in a straight line.

Thanks this helps me alot. I use to have my form shooting but when i was practicing vollyball i losted it. So thanks for you help. This will help me with not only my 2''s but my 3''s too. Go Lady Cards.

hi i am very good shooter in practice ..... but when it comes to the actual game why cant i shoot that well...?

Hi R.C.,

There could be a number of reasons that this happening.

1. Are you taking the same mental approach as you would during practice? Are you rushing your shots?

2. In practice, are you practicing the same type of shots you take during the game? If not, you need to start practicing shots you take during the game

3. In practice, are you practicing at game speed? If not, you need to start practicing shots at game speed.

I am 15 and sometimes when i shoot i hyperextend my elbow it hurts so what can i do to stop it from hyperextending.

Hi Jimmy,

If you are hyperextending your elbow from shooting the ball, my guess would be that you are not using your legs enough. Your legs should generate most of the power to get your shot to the hoop.

Bend your knees and sit your hips back.

Hi,
I have pretty good shooting form - sometimes i get like 4-6 shots straight but sometimes i do exactly opposite

i know its a problem with my left hand (im right handed), i keep using it too much and it makes the ball go right but sometimes its too hard to control

also when shooting far shots like threes its really hard to shoot far enough without using my left hand eventhough it goes it sometimes

Hey Joe...
I'm 16 this year, 184cm tall, 53kg only...
I bring the ball slow and players can just catch me up easily...cant shot well...i jump as high till my fingers touch the rims...
i keep practicing at home when i'm free but when i go on the field, my mind just gone blank...sometimes i can shot perfectly but mostly all just misses...oh ya, i notice that most of my balls always hit the part where the rim connect the board...it just always bounce off over there...
Do u think i should just train my jumps so that i could dunk? Please give me some good advice...I really need it badly plus it is my last year playing for the school team...

Hi there,
I'm a first time coach with an all 5 year old team; this is all their first time playing organized basketball. I have played many years in youth, high school and college rec.

Although our rim is only set at 8', many of the kids have a tough time getting the ball to the hoop. Strength and mechanics at this age are hard to come by.

What is the best way to help them strive for making baskets NOW, yet not undermining their form for future years?

Many thanks in advance!

Hi Jennifer,

Getting 5 year olds to play basketball can be tough. They're not physically and mentally ready for the demands of basketball. Like you said, they can't even shoot the ball on a 8' rim. Sports like swimming, gymnastics, soccer, and martial arts are excellent for really young kids. These sports are tremendous for their athletic development.

In any case, lots of organizations start basketball at this age and kids want to try. So you need to make the best of it.

For basketball practice with 5 years olds, you can do...
- lots of ballhandling drills/games
- use the real small mini balls for shooting at 7' baskets
- do lots of games that teach movement, spatial awareness, rhythm, and develop them athletically. examples of this would include tag, basketball tag, hopscotch, jump rope games, relay races, obstacle courses, copy the coach (they try to do whatever movement you do), skipping, jump stops,etc, etc.
- passing drills/games
- keep things fun! make basketball, sports, and physical activity something the kids learn to love -- so they don't end up getting fat in front of the play station. it needs to be lots of fun.

Good luck and let us know if you have more questions.

Hi Johnson,

If I were you, I would not worry about dunking. First off, you need to improve your basketball skills. You can visit this page to learn more about improving your skills: http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/fundamentals/basketballfundamentals.html

You can also visit our player's page to find some our best drills and article that will help you improve as a player: http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/players/players.html

Part of the reason, you could freeze when you enter the game is that your skills are not as developed as they need to be. Therefore, you lack the confidence needed to succeed during the game. I would advise to work very hard on your ball handling, passing, and shooting. As you become better, you will be more comfortable on the court.

lol

Hi

I can dribble and do everything i need to in basketball but I practice and Practice and I cant make a shot as much as i would want to.

any advise?

Hi Joe:

We see lots of 12-13 year olds who learned to shoot with two hands (starting on 10-foot rims at age 7 or so) and then have trouble when we teach them to align the ball w/ one hand. What are some "re-training" ideas that worked for you?

Hi Mike,

I would take a look at this link: http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/fundamentals/shooting/5-shooting-mistakes.html

Hi Joe,

I'm 15 years old and I've been struggling with consistently getting a fluid motion in my shot. I've done a lot of strength and plyometric training and try to do as much ball handling as i can in my spare time. But my shot is the one thing it seems i cant get down, Over the summer my shot felt pretty good but this whole season I've bbeen struggling. I've watched a bunch of DVDs and stuff and know a lot about shooting and have even video taped myself. I see what im doing wrong but cant seem to fix it. It can get frustrating, but right now It seems like i just cant go straight up from the shot pocket and get the coordination of my shot down. Do u have any advice on form shooting drills or just some tips?

Hi Dan,

It's hard to know because I have not seen you shoot, but I think I have ran into this same problem myself. If you can, just start with the ball a little bit higher. That helped me, because that means there's less movement from my release point. If you can't, continue to shoot from your shot pocket.

Also, try practicing your shot hundreds of times away from the basket. First, without your legs. Just the motion of the upper body. Then, incorporate legs after you feel comfortable doing that.

After a few thousands shots, move to the basket. Start extremely close to the basket. I would highly advise to stay within 15 feet for the first 3 to 4 weeks. Remember, we are trying to develop your shot over the LONG-TERM.

After you feel comfortable shooting from that distance, gradually move out. If you take the long-term approach, you'll be much better off than somebody who changes their shot and tries to jack up 3-pointers right away. It just doesn't work.

You need to take thousands and thousands of shots with the correct form close to the basket.

Thank you so much. I really appreciate it sir. I will start doing this right away. Thanks

I have no problem shooting short to mid-range but my outside range is terrible all the sudden. I recently changed my shot to a more fundamental and more successful shot, but only from the field. Any advice on shooting the long ball? Thanks

Hi Kyle,

Take a look a this page on our website: http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/fundamentals/shooting-range.html

Hello Joe,

I was wondering if you had any tips on how to keep your guide hand wrist from moving. My shooting stroke is pretty good, but the only knock-off is my guide hand. Whenever I go up for a shot, my guide hand's wrist turns towards the basket therefore the fingers point the basket. Any tips on how to keep the guide hand wrist from turning and keeping those fingers pointed up?

Hi Kevin,

I would take a look at this article: http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/fundamentals/shooting/5-shooting-mistakes.html

Hey Joe,
Just a couple of questions. When I release the basketball for the shot, which part of my hand should be exerting force on it(which fingers)? Also, when I am squaring up for the shot, where should the ball be rested on my palm? Thanks a bunch.

Hi Chris,

When shooting I exert force from all of the fingers. However, I prefer to have the ball come off my index and middle finger last. I also produce power from my legs and upper body as I bring the ball up.

I always have the ball on my finger pads. You dont' want to palm the ball.

Does it matter that i dont get a whole lot of jump when i shoot? surprisingly it seems that i get more power when i dont jump than when i do, its kinda wierd, got any advice you can give me?

Great techniques!

Hi Joe,
I am shooting well on the court but im not that consistent. Is there a way to improve my consitency?
and I prefer shooting with my index(only) lastly touching the ball. Is that okay?
and how can I improve may range? I find it hard making 3s.:D

Hi Zach,

It could be happening, because you're shooting too late. As soon as you jump, shoot the ball. Most players shoot too late and lose all the power generated by their legs.

To learn more about improving range, you can check out this article: http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/fundamentals/shooting-range.html

Hi Pots,

Consistency will come with deliberate practice. Make sure to practice shooting form everyday.

Shooting with the ball leaving the infex finger is fine. That is not a major mechanical issue to worry about.

Check out this link to learn about improving range: http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/fundamentals/shooting-range.html

Sup Joe,

I have a problem with my backspin and following through with my supporting hand. I am 15 and right handed. When I shoot sometimes the ball goes spinning awkwardly but it goes in sometimes but the form is not right and I want to fix it. Also when I shoot the ball off my right hand I also let go of my supporting hand but I have a habit of following through with my left hand as well.

Hi Harman,

I would take a look at this page: http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/fundamentals/shooting/5-shooting-mistakes.html

Thanks a lot for the advice! It really helped.

but I seem to be shooting the ball with only my index finger. I mean i apply the force mostly in my index finger since my middle finger and the other fingers are slightly a degree to the right. (so if i use all my fingers, it means the ball would go to the right.)

I believe that affects my range and my accuracy. Sorry for the silly question. Just can't help it!:D

hi!
i love basketball,my position is center
i'm a 6 footer but my body are slim that's why i alway practice my shooting bcause i want to improve it.sometimes i make shot in critical position some are counted but more are not.i want to be a three pointer can you please give me more tips to improve my shooting skills?thank you

im 12 5 ft 7 and i cant get my pousture right or my release. i dont want a quick release and sometime i sometimes get my shot above my head can u help me.

Hi CJ,

Without being there to visually see what is happening, it's hard to instruct you on what to do. There could be many factors affecting your release such as your knee bend and hip position, feet position, shoulder position, follow through, etc.

I would advise to read our tips on the shooting section: http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/fundamentals/shooting.html

We also have a Breakthrough Basketball Shooting Guide that takes you step by step developing your own shot: http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/pr/btshooting.html

Another piece of advice would be to shoot hundreds and hundreds of shots away from the basket perfecting your form. Once you have done so, go to a basket and shoot tons of shots close to the basket. Then, GRADUALLY move out over time. This could months and years.

hi, im 15 and im right handed and everytime i shoot my left hand always gets in the way it always moves i cant help it and when i to shoot without letting my left hand interrupt it lacks strength so it cant make the basket... why?

Neil,

It could be a number of things and it's too difficult to determine without being there. I would advise that you have a coach analyze your shooting.

Are you bending your knees and pushing your hips back to generate leg power?

Are you following through properly?

Are you holding the ball properly?

Is the arc appropriate?

Could some weight training with a professional help you?

These are a few things that you would need to determine.

I would focus on the technique and not even look at the hoop. Do some wall shooting everyday. Then, do some form shooting close the basket. Gradually, work your way out. It's perfectly fine if you do not shoot outside 15 feet within the first 6 months. Your goal is develop your shot close to the basket and eventually be able to shoot from further out. Remember, shooting is a long-term practice. It's nothing you fix in one or two days.

Hey Joe,

Hey Joe,

I was wondering if you could give me a little advise on shooting. When I shoot, people tell me that I always shoot one-handed, something I am really trying to work on. They say I take my guide hand off too soon and that it is partially in front of the ball, which is really hurting my shooting accuracy. Although I realize that my guide hand is partially in front of the ball, I am strugging to fix that problem. Also, is my guide hand supposed to follow my shooting hand and the ball until it leaves my hand?

Next, people tell me that I don't get high enough when I shoot the ball, something that I have come to notice. Also, I believe I am having trouble with my release, but someone has yet to comment on it. However, many of my shots have been falling short or move to the side. It could possibly be due to the fact that whenever I shoot I worry about my form, but could you give me a few tips just in case, please?

I would also appreciate if you go into the steps of a jump shot in great detail, as although the shooting guide helped me somewhat, I am still having trouble converting to a better form even though I shoot very often every day.

Thank you for the guide and I am sorry for such a long comment, but I really want to improve.

With your guide hand, your grip should be similar to the pictures above. If your guide hand is too far in front of the ball, it can affect your shooting accuracy.

I don't think it matters too much if you take your guide hand off early, it matters HOW you're taking your guide hand off. Are you bringing your guide hand down to the side of your body immediately? Are you moving the ball as your bring down your guide hand?

If you bring your guide hand down too early, it can cause you to twist your body which will make the basketball miss to the left and to the right. You want to have zero twisting or turning of the body during your shot. Most importantly your shoulders, make sure your shoulders do not twist or move.

If the ball is moving around in your shooting hand, because you do not have it properly balanced, it will make your shot go everywhere except at the hoop. Make sure to have your shooting hand underneath the ball, so it does move around as you take your guide hand off the ball.

The guide hand should be in the same spot as your set position. Look above if needed to see picture of set position. Once, you start to move your shooting hand forward to shoot the ball, you guide hand should stay in the same position. When you start to shoot, the guide hand should not touch the ball. We do not want the guide hand affecting the path of the shot.

The height of your jump is not very important when it comes to shooting. Only very few people can or need to jump over people to shoot. If somebody is in your face when you shoot a jump shot, it is not likely a good shot. However, you do need to include your legs to generate power for your shot. You should bend your knees and push your hips (butt) back. A lot of players shoot straight-legged and it does NOT allow them to get to generate enough power or get as high on their jump shot.

As for practicing, start away from the basket. Do thousands of wall shots to engrain the good form. Once you do that, take your shot to the rim. Reference our shooting guide. It takes you through step by step on how to rebuild your shot.

Also, your shot should become automatic. The more you think about your shooting form, the more it will mess you up. It's okay to concentrate on a thing or two, but if you worry about everything, your shot will be a mess.

For example, if you do not feel like you are getting proper lift on our shot, think hips back before you shoot. I actually am naturally a straight-legged shooter and this has helped me tremendously.

hi i suck at bball how do i get better ive gone thru 2 years of private training 4 hours night how do i get better?

JOE:
THANKS!!!!

I've been practcing alot lately and I've improved ALOT. I really don't know if my form is picture perfect. I just followed the guide here and practiced alot. now my shots are more consistent and I can shoot 90% when no one is guarding me.

Im 16 yrs old.
What should i practice next? A quicker release? Fade away?..etc..

Hi Pots,

I'm glad to hear about your improvement. Some hard work and deliberate practice can get you a long ways.

Can you shoot shots from left to right, baseline to the top, curling off a screen, fading to the corner, etc.? Can you shoot those shots at game speed?

Plenty of players can shoot the ball great while standing still, but when they have to move, their form falls apart.

Can you shoot well during games? How do you do when a defender is in your face?

Take what you do in practice and play a few games to practice your game-shots.

I wouldn't worry about a fade away. Continue to refine your shot off the catch and off the dribble. Can you shoot as well going to the right as the left?

It never hurts to try to develop a quicker release, either. Most of that deals with getting set as you catch the ball.

my name is aaron how do you get the perfect shooting release

Aaron,

First I should mention that there is no such things as "perfect" shooting release or technique. In other words, your mechanics will never be 100%, and you don't want to be robotic.

With that said, you'll never be a great shooter unless you have "satisfactory" mechanics. It's very common for players to have fatal flaws in their approach, and frankly they have no chance of becoming consistent shooters.

The key is to develop solid mechanics (not perfect) and unwavering consistency. Your shot should be the same every time.

The trick is to work on your mechanics AWAY from the basket and/or up close to the basket. Then after getting some repetitions, just shoot "game shots" without thinking about your mechanics! You need thousands of practice repetitions to develop the proper "muscle memory" and so you can shoot properly without thinking.

We have a step by step shot development plan in one of our eBooks, but it won't fit in this post. If you want to learn more, check out our shooting guide with the step by step workouts:
http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/pr/btshooting.html

why are my shot falling short and sometimes it fall so hard

plzz help me what form of shot will i do im only 13 years old?

Hey Joe. I'm 16 years old. Some people say I have an awkward shot. But I have a good mid range game. My shots usually go in. Does your shooting form really matter? Some of the players in the NBA have akward shooting forms, like for example Shawn Marion but he is a good 3 pointer.

I have a good mid range game, but I want to inrease my range and hit the 23 foot three point range. I have been practicing, but I don't see any huge improvements. Should I change my shooting form? or stick to my normal shot were I am comfortable?

I have really bad form, but I make a lot of shots. I was thinking about changing it and I was wondering how to get my set point like the picture that goes with the delivery section of this article?

Hey Bballers,

For the past week, I have come to notice that the thumb of my balancing hand seems to influence the flight path of the ball everytime I shoot. I was wondering if anyone had simillar problems, and how they were able to rectify this.

Cheers

Hey Joe,

I'm 15, and I love ur website, it gives great advice, I just have a few personal questions. One is more personal than fundamental and that is, well i've been practicing and practicing ALOT. As a determined player as urself I'm sure u know what i mean. My parents think I'm playing too much basketball and need to focus on other things. They dont mind that i play basketball, but they do mind when I play it all the time. But you see Joe, I'm really happy when I'm playing basketball, and I've always had this thought that when I'm not practicing somebody else out there is, and is getting better than me. I just don't see how I can get better if I don't put a lot of time into it. How much do you think i should practice daily? And my last question is, I had an ok form that would be going in most of the time, but I saw that you said that I should be looking for something that should help me in the long run. So I've been doing that. The only problem is that I've been working on my fundamentals for awhile now, and i cant help but get impatient, my other question to you is, how long should i expect to wait until i can be good again, with truly sound fundamentals, and how can i stop myself from going insane and staying more patient and have a peace of mind that will allow me to work effieciantly and with the same motivation, when trying to develop these new techniques? I hope this doesn't confuse you Joe, but I'm sure u know exactly what I mean. Thanks Joe, keep doing what you do best!

i want to be a long range shooter but air ball it alot any tips

Hey great board.

How can I develop rhythm? Any drills, books, mental techniques I can utilize?

Thanks!

hi im going to be a 10th and starter on jv next year and i have trouble with my guide hand when shooting. sometimes it moves sometimes it doesn't. which is more likely to help the the consistent when shooting and how do i corrct it

Hey Joe

My shot is horrible when i get further away than about the freethrow line mostly past that point i always fall short i try to use my legs and all that but i just dont understand how to use the legs to get force into the shot

my son is 11 yrs.old and he shoots the ball from the waist up,everytime i corrected him from a jump shot or practice he gets the right form but come in real game or if he gets an instant pass he shoots the ball again from the waist,thats why he got block easily by small guys,it seems like a habit to him and he's also a flatfooted cause he rarely jump when he shoots the ball..how do i correct it

We coach youth basketball, what about inside pivot vs strong foot pivot all the time. Is there really a better way for shooting consistently. What is your theory on this? Which do you think is better?

Dan,

Your question was moved here: http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/qa/shooting-pivot-foot.html

hey Joe,

im 13 years old and have a pretty good shot, even more so when i dont actually jump, just going up on my toes, but i want to work on my left hand shot and layup, that hand is obviously not as strong and form will be really hard to get but i want to work on it, thanks

Hey Joe,

I'm 15 years old and I have decent ball handling, quickness, and court vision. I'm 6 foot 2 and trying to play college basketball. My problem is shooting consistently. I can't seem to get the rhythm of my shot right when I jump or or a smooth release. I always seem to stop the ball on my forehead and end up pushing the ball. My form is less than satisfactory and I continue to practice, but I can't seem to get a consistent shot with good form. What are your thoughts?

i became interested in basketball this year, i really want to play this year but i don't know any of the rules of the game, or even the game in general. The rules published on this web page don't help with what im looking for.I know basic things like number of players per team and fouls but since ive never played before im just looking for a place to learn.

i bend elbow in follow through and cannot break habit please help

How do you learn to shoot dead straight into the basket. How do you aim the shot? I've learn from someone that i should shoot with the ball coming off the index and middle fingers last. Is it correct? How do i acheive a good aiming of my shot. Pls explain it to me. Thx!

Tnx!!!!now I can cope up with my friends in playing basketball^_^

Hey when i shoot my coaches say my elbow does not form that L shape and that I bring the ball back to my shoulder. I have noticed this when i hav had my brother take pictures of my shot. How can i fix this. I bought the Bandits shooting machine it is still in the mail as well as the Star shooting strap how can i make my elbow make that L shape? also when i looked at ur preview video for Better Shooting 2 JJ Reddicks arm dips a little back but not as dramatic as mine. What can i do to make that L shape or near L shape. Also when I air shoot in the mirror my shot is how i think a perfect shot is. Any advice or help would be appreciated

HI my name is Joshua Taylor and i have been playing basketball for 2 years now i'm 15 years old and i'm having the most difficult time working on my jump shot because of bad habits from shooting by pushing the ball and people have been telling me that i have no proper mechanics...and i have been working on my fundamentals and mechanics but just seem to cant get it down and cant seem to shoot the same every time i have listened and read but i just seem to cant get it....could you PLEASE Help me your HELP is needed

Mike, take hundreds and thousands of shots with good form close to the basket. I do wall shooting, because you don't worry if the ball goes in the hoop or not. You just use good form. Gradually move out. I'm not talking one or two days. It might take 2 or 3 months to get to 15 feet. Don't rush too quickly to take outside shots. Otherwise, you'll go back to your old habits. It's going to be frustrating and time-consuming, but the hard work and persistence is well worth it.

Josh, in the comment above to Mike. I would recommend the same thing to you.

yah men,yesterday 10 /13/10 we played basketball
i scored over 8pts (4/7) consicutively and ihelp my team win,yah men.

yo,i guess this technique you've got there wasn't too comfortable to me.my techniques were better,because of your technique i scored (0)pt 7 attemps all of it got missed.

hey i have always struggled with pushing with my balance hand an messing up my rotation i think its from shooting with two hands when i was younger can u help me stop using that hand an only use it to balance like im suppose to?

Hey Joe,
Ive got 2 questions. The first one involves the guide hand. When you shoot is the guide hand supposed to be straight up, vertical, or at a small angle. I have noticed if you literally move it out of the way when shooting, the guide hand is vertical, but if you dont move it out of the way, but the guide is still down like you let it slide off, the guide hand is still at an angle, what do you think because when I look at the pros, Kobe's is straight up but Ray Allens is at an angle. Next question is I am in 9th grade, how do I elevate the release point so it is higher up like the example pictures from above instead of shooting at a lower release point. What are your suggestions. Thanks

I am coaching a 6 and under team so I am very limited on what I can coach. I really appreciate your website because it helps me with ideas and fundamental drills. We are focusing on very basic stuff (shoot, pass, rebound). If you have any advice for this age I would appreciate it greatly. My biggest challenge is making the drills fun to keep them focused. Thanks

Hi Bo,

Since at this age level, they are still very much in the “guided discovery” learning stage which usually occurs between ages 6 to 10, I would make everything very “outcome-based” and focus very little on teaching them technique. For example, rather than saying dribble the ball exactly like this, say try to dribble the ball between the cones as fast as possible. This will help with their learning curve.

Also, since very little will stick from a shooting technique standpoint, I would spend a lot of time on dribbling, passing, and lay ups. I would also spend a lot of time developing athletic skills. Play games like tag, dribble relays, obstacle courses, red-light yellow-light, hopscotch, and any other games you can think of. This article will explain it in more detail: http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/blog/index.php/should-we-teach-basketball-skills-to-kids-under-the-age-of-10/


We also have a ton of helpful information in our youth basketball coaching section: http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/coaching/youthbasketball.html

Jabber, that's part of changing your shot. In order to be great, you may have to take two steps backwards before things get better than the old way you were shooting.

Jordan,

Do plenty of one-hand form shooting. We also have more tips in this article that could help with your problem:

http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/fundamentals/shooting/5-shooting-mistakes.html

Michael, I think you are concentrating too much on the specifics of the guide hand. As long as it is not affecting your shot, who cares. If it is affecting your shot, you may want to adjust it. Everybody is different and it's hard to give you advice without watching you shoot in person.

As for elevating your release point, take plenty of shots away from the basket. I would shoot against the wall. Then, after you've done hundreds of these shots. I would move to the basket and shoot hundreds of shots from 2 feet away. After a few days, gradually move back.

Aim to have your elbow above your eyes on the follow through.

The only way to get better is through lots of hard work and repetition.

Ok thanks you sound just like my trainer. One last question is when I begin to shoot higher up like the one in the pictures above and college players when does the guide hand come off. If you could post a link to a video or a video itself i would be very grateful. Also who do you suggest players of current times to look at to study their shot. So far i am looking at JJ Redick and Rotnei Clark of Arkansaw who has the fastest release in college as of rite now (.6seconds). Since I have never shot high up (release point wise) i am very unsure about when to take the guide hand off

That's funny, Michael. He must be a good trainer. :)

As for the guide hand, I think that is going to take some experimentation from you. You are going to have to shoot and see how it feels. I can't get you an exact moment when your body is moving or timed second. I've seen some people take the guide hand off extremely early and I've seen some people take it off as the ball is moving forward.

I am 13 and my schools team is very competive as we got 4th in state last year. I play good in practice, but going into a game I get nervous and mess up, is there any advice for this?

My daughter is 11 and has finally hit that growth spurt. On the positive side she has become a very good ball hangler to allow her to get to the basket because she struggled to get it to the basket from any distance, and it took her two hands to do that. Now we are working on getting away from the "2" handed shot. Getting a lot of shots not even close to target during the transition. Any suggestions?

Hi Joe,
2 questions.
First, how I stop having to take 2 steps when I shoot because if i don't, my shot feels unnatural.
The second thing is where should my release point be? By that I mean I sometimes shoot with a really big arc and the ball get's really high above the basket and (kind of)goes straight down and sometimes I shoot with little arc and the ball doesn't travel very high above the basket.

Hey Joe,

Do you have any tips about shooting jump shots? Cause whenever i shoot them its feels unnatural, and my shot gets messed up.

Hey,

I consider myself pretty athletic multi athlete but developing my basketball shot has always been difficult for me. I never really practiced a lot before college, but not correcting my shot is more important. At one point I developed myself so much I was hitting every shot I took. But once I went on fall break and didn’t pick up a basketball for a week it was as if I forgot how to shoot. Now that I''m back at school I have done everything to correct it but nothing is working. Every now and then I will see glimpse of my old shot, but I cannot figure out what is wrong. I definitely feel confidence is apart of it, but I feel my rotation on the ball is also a large component.

Thanks, Zack

Hi Joe

This is an awesome site for beginning and advanced basketball players. I think the advice that you are offering on a daily basis is to be commended. I began playing basketball when I was a teenager and began playing again when I was 34. Your guidance here is on point. Basketball is an incredible game and the discipline and enjoyment that comes from playing it benefits a person for all their life. Kudos to you sir.

Thanks Pete

im 12 and i am in the 8 grade so i havnt hit my growth spurt yet so i asking how can i get better at finishing layups with a taller defender guarding me without getting my shot blocked

also can u get 2 me as soon as possible thanks

I may not be the person who answers the questions on this site, but james u have to increase your range past the ther 3 pt line like 3-4 feet then defenders wont know what to do because out their they dont bother guarding u. Look at Erving Walker of UF hes shorter than 6 ft and can shoot past 3pt line. Increase ur speed so u r faster and can go by him and then pull up and he wont block u without fouling. Also little guys like me have to increase the speed of ur shot. Guys like Rotnei Clarke of Arkansaw are excellent shooters he goes 90-99 out of 100 from the 3pt line and his release is less than .6 seconds which is really fast and harder to block hope i helped while u wait for Joe

thanks how can i extend my range because i do ha a quck realease an a decent shooter

U gotta sweat in the gym (court and weights) get a wrist roller to increase fore arm. Practice form shooting with one hand to perfect form and then with gide hand to perfect shots. ur first 20 at least should be no farther than free thro. Wen u start to shoot farther out shoot the same shot but add more legs. I found that if u increase speed of ur shot u get more power into it. ANd wen u make one shoot the EXACT same shot. dont think about it while u shoot feel it come off the same way. then u will build muscle memory after a while (not in a few days) and ur shot in a game wil become the shot u use wen u practice and it will become second nature.

thanks for the good advice

Hey joe


your web site is the best i have looked at so far but i really wanted to know i am 13 years old and i have a basketball championship in about five days and every game i go and play in, and i shoot jumpshots and miss them for no reason and in practice i drain my jump shot. I just wanted know if you could give me some tips on my jump shot so i will be able to make my shots in my game. thans joe

I"m 14 years old and im having trouble shooting the ball. I shoot one day with one form but the next day I shoot with another form and its like I forget my last form. I can''''t find a shot that goes in the basket. Any tips?

Hello everybody,

I would love to answer all of your questions. However, time is a big issue. We have a committee of coaches at our forum that can help answer your questions. Please visit our forum to ask your questions:

http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/forum/

Im 15 and my shot has changed over the years, but the shot is going in but i do not remember how to shoot of the dribble quick enough like my friend says. How can i make my release more quicker?

practice warm up ur usual way shoot at ur pace. JJ Reddick says his first 50 shots are 5-7 feet away from the hoop. This way he his shooting his muscle memory shot and is not missing any parts when he does his intense shooting workouts. Then start up close and speed ur shot up after it has become comfortable then move to off the dribble and and picks

Hi Guyvin,

I used to have the same difficulty of having a quick release point but to make it better I used a 5lb ball laid on my back and shot it up in the air for 5 minutes then when I picked the basketball up...my release was quicker. The next day it processed in my mind that the ball is light, so therefore, it made my release very quick and my percentage went from 40% to 62%.

Hope it helps!

Hi, I recently changed my form and am shooting much better, but I am a very bad 3 point shooter. How can I improve this?

Just cuz u change ur form doesnt make it good, but it may be but since unless u put it up on youtube no one but the ppl u kno will be able to tell. First mk sure its good form elbow in, ball not flat on hand, etc.... Then start close for a while dont start shooting strenous shots where ur almost pushing it untill ur shot is muscle memory, utherwise it will mess up ur shot and gradually work back, shoot with a heavy bball up close and then work back a little bit. Do exercises or lifts that strengten ur wrist and forearm and legs. As u shoot farther back ur shot is the exact same just more leg power is used

I am 13 and I shoot kinda of in the middle between lefty and righty

r u trying to say u shoot with both hands or the positioning of the ball is somewhere in the middle of ur body. Cuz if the 1st one is the case then i would recommend form shooting and the shooting strap by jumpusa.com. if its the second one then form shoot off ur right eye. Ur dominant foot should line up to the bball. ur feet should be shoulder width with ur non shooting foot .5-3 inches behind the dominant foot (staggard stance). Ur shooting arm should line up with the dominant foot (right hand with rite arm and left with left) thus shooting off ur eye

Hey Joe

I have a real good form when shooting, but my feet are usually not shoulder width apart, how can i get more squared up to the basket?

wat i suggest is practice ur shot standing still except ur legs r bent shooting. prety much shooting but taking ur time to square up. then practice throwing the ball to ur self stepping into the shot not shooting just working on footwork. after those feel comfortable peice it togethr to ur shot. it may feel strange at first dont worry. i just changd my shot to improve it and now my old shot feels weird after 4 days and shooting 120-500 shots a day and form shooting

When I Shoot I always shoot differently and How do i get a perfect form and also when I shoot i don't follow through and How do i practice follow through.

i shoot with my right hand what should my left hand do and how should it be placed on the ball.?

Hey Joe,
when I shoot, my shooting arm on the release somehow ends up going diagonal blocking a bit of my view from my right eye. I've tried to fix this but it keeps reverting back to my old shot or it doesn't feel right and my shots are always not in line, any help?

Also, will lowering my release point provide a quicker release(I've watched stephen curry's release, not of a full jump, but releases ball at around forehead)

Thanks,
Ronnie

Ryan i used to shoot different every time too. i just studied a good players shot, i used carmelo anthony, just get ur guys shot down good study it hard and practice it alot, i year ago i was horrible, now im pretty good, my handles still suck, but im a very good shooter and defender.

Hey Joe, I have two shooting techniques i use for basketball games. An over the head shot used for medium to close range, and your style (thank you by the way for teaching me) for long and 3 pt range. Is it a good idea to use two shooting tecniques?

I am 14 years old and i have a vertical of 24. i can jump over people and make the close up shots. But when it comes to outer shots i miss by going slightly to the side of the rim and it hits the edge of the connection of the rim and backboard. Have and advice on how i can straighten my shot up? I need to figure it out so when i get fouled i can make my free throws.

hi my name is michael crane i play basket ball for a middle school team and i think im pretty good but i have a few small problems
1. I snap my wrist down but the ball doesnt spin back wards
2. when i dribble im not sure if ive got complete control
3. how do i judge my arc on the ball
4. when i shoot a free throw in a game i get really nervous
please send back want to play in nba sooooooo bad but not as good as the nba players were in middle school

Dear Joe,
When i shoot a basketball i usually shoot with the ball in front of my face, how can i be able to move the ball over to the side so when i shoot from my shotpocket it will be much easier.Thank you if you can answer.
From,
Shane

Shane - If you feel that you need to make a change to your shooting mechanics, then you need to get lots of repetitions away from the basket. Shoot with the new form against the wall. Shoot to a partner. Shoot to a spot on the floor. Get tons of reps and you'll eventually develop new muscle memory. Then you can slowly go to a basket. It takes time and you shouldn't practice at the basket because that will only discourage you.

Good luck.

Yeah. This is an awesome guide. My shooting has improved dramatically since reading this article. Now I'm heading for the NBA with the likes of Kobe. Cheers.

thank you joe

Dear Joe,
Two more quick questions. When i shoot to the hoop my shooting arm tends to go to the left in front of my face instead of just forward.Does this mean i have a bad habit, and if so how can i break it?Also, when I shoot a basketball should my index finger and middle finger be the last two fingers to leave the ball? If you could answer these questions i would appreciate it.
From,Bobby

Bobby, I don't think you would want your follow through to cross in front of your face. However, if you shoot a high percentage and quickly get off your shot, I wouldn't change it. Think... Reggie Miller. I would need to see how you shoot during games and practices to determine if you should adjust your shot.

When shooting the ball, you should aim to have the ball roll off of your index & middle fingers. However, I've known great shooters where this doesn't exactly happen.

Thank Joe this will help me

oh i am young boy with the height of 2.7m and i want basket to be my career, but am lack of experience.
so i will like help from people to help me about my career. i am definitely interest about the support to help me.
i am living gambia

How do I brake the habit of pushing the ball with 2 hands ?
Any tips or hints

Kristen, try some one-hand shooting.

Also, read this article: http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/fundamentals/shooting/5-shooting-mistakes.html

Kristen - Shoot with 1 hand away from the basket. You need thousands of repetitions to break a habit. You can shoot away from the basket by shooting at a wall, shooting to a spot on the floor, etc. Then once you get the form down you can slowly start shooting at the basket. It takes lots of practice (reps) to break a habit and develop a new good one.

In middle school I was a terrific scorer and shooter but every since freshmen year I haven't been able to shoot very well. What can I do?

i struggle to keep shooting consistancy up and keep the ball palm up and elbow at 90 degrees

Dear Joe,
When i shoot the ball i pay too much attention on getting enough backspin on the ball. Therefore i end up flinging my wrist instead of just shooting and having my wrist floppy and relaxed. What can i do to stop this?

Bayaka,

Shoot over and over and over. You need lots of repetitions to become a good shooter. You also need to take game shots at game speed. Otherwise, when you're in a game, the shots are new to you because you've never taken them at that speed during practice.

And don't worry about the miss. Check out these articles for mental tips:

http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/fundamentals/shooting/overcome-shooting-slumps.html

http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/mental/law-of-attraction.html

http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/blog/index.php/how-watching-tiger-woods-can-improve-the-mental-aspects-of-your-basketball-game/

John,

Rather than rolling the ball off of your fingers, try to push through the ball with your fingers and keep a relaxed wrist. If you tense up, you will lose the soft touch.

Practice this thousands of times close to the basket. As you get better, start working off the dribble and taking game-like shots.

Thank you Joe i will try this and see if it works

Dear Joe,
When i shoot the basketball it seems as is i have a hitch in my shot. This meaning that I go through the motion stop a little before i jump and continue to go through with my shot. How can i change this so it could just be a fluid shot with no pauses? Would form shooting help this cause? If you could answer this I would be very greatful.