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