Shooting form

Since I've playing for Varsity (first year), I averaged 3.2 ppg off the bench. FG% is 41%. One game I've attempted 6 and made only 1. Really embarrassing 8 minutes. When I shoot, my fingers sometimes follow through my pinky to middle finger and rarely make a good shot with follow through with my index to my ring finger. I think the reason why I got on varsity because I have speed and defense. Now time summer, i want to improve my shots.
thanks

First of all, congrats on making the varsity and getting some playing time.... good teams are built around shut down defenders, rebounders and point guards... the rest are fill ins... the shooters.... SO, IF you can be an intregal part of your team by shutting down someone's best player, be proud of that.

Improving your shot takes time and a lot of repititions... take a look at some of the videos on youtube and watch how the great shooters follow through... Swish method for one... by Tom Nordland..

I did this with a few of my playes who had form problems... stand next to a wall -
(that way you wont worry about making a shot) - take one dribble, bring the ball up with ONE hand and go into your shot, HOLD the follow through while you put your hand into the cookie jar. Your index finger should be pointing at your target as you are releasing the ball.

Maybe you can explain your shot a little more to us?

Ok my shooting form is 90 degree angle but when I bring it up. My shooting elbow is at my chin level. If you know what I mean? Sometimes I brought it too much with elbow at my mouth level.

If I am reading this right... I would imagine that your shot is kind of flat (NOT a lot of arc) ......
The elbow on your shooting arm should be more around the eye level... This will give you a larger "window" to see your target and the lift will give your shot more arc... softer shot / shooters rolls at times and easier to score. A lot of players have different release points - but if your shot is flat, you need to adjust yours a little bit.

Think about this.... it would be a lot easier to drop the ball in from over the rim than to try and shoot in in with a flater tragectory.

2 basketballs will absolutely fit in the rim! If you don't believe me, you can either buy Rick Torbett's Better Basketball DVD, or you can just do the work yourself. Just stick two balls side to side, stand on a ladder, and drop, YOU WILL SEE!!!!

I knew the rim is big and able to fit with 2 balls. I recently brought a new bb hoop to have more time to shoot and built it. So, are you saying that my elbow should be at my eyes level for better target? Do you have a few example of players that have "different release points?"
Thanks

You can find a lot of them on you tube ......

As for the level of the ball upon release... some shooters have different release points, you have to find what is comfortable for you and what works best... some say the elbow should be ear level, some say eye level and some have a flatter shot... I always felt that the higher the arc the better the shot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oW0rEd6-eZI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__k0_1QZSLM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOGNWTvLvgE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMfTsL0SW14&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbX5fKo842o&feature=related

I see, pretty cool. So I try different form that works for me best? and continue working on it?
P.s. does form shooting really helps you shoot better? Do i have to bend my knees all the time to give power?
How long does it take? Because I've done it before just doing 30 shots on some other days..
thanks

Look at those videos and I think you will see that they all have GOOD FORM... Balance, Elbow pretty much under the ball, Eye on the target and a good FOLLOW THROUGH. Thats the basics of a good shot. Your shot doesn't have to be exactly like those players... but IF your form is good, you will be more successful.

Form shooting will help you a lot... you should start every day you practice doing that.... it helps with what they call muscle memory... makes your shot consistent. You don't even have to do that with a basket, you can do that against a wall...Using your legs helps to give you some power and makes your shot better. Try shooting sitting on a chair and see how difficult that is.

The more you practice the better you will be ( on all aspects of your game ) During the summers our kids shot 100s a day... some shot 1,000 free throws every day... so IF you really want to get better, find more time to shoot the ball and raise your standards and goals. I don't think that shooting 30 shots a day will get you where you want to be.. JMO

There is an old saying, while you are sitting around watching TV, playing X Box (or whatever) there is someone out there working on his game. The ball is in your court... what will you do?

By the way, you have all summer to improve your game... write down a plan regarding how many shots a day you will take... and your goal for shooting percentages. It would be great IF you could find a partner to work with, more fun and easier..... and you can challenge each other.
IF you really want to play varsity ball and be a shooter, you will need to shoot A LOT, almost EVERY DAY. Being a good shooter takes work, its not like taking a pill and all of a sudden I can shoot like Michael..... it takes work and time.... most of the great shooters are the last ones out of the gym.... so, ask yourself "HOW BAD DO I WANT IT?"

Okay, I spent 1 hour to figure what should I work on my shots for 5 days a week...
So, you tell me is this good workout?

1 form shooting 100 times
2 free throw 50 shots
3 lay ups 20 shots each hand
4 catch and shoot 50 shots on 2 spots
5 3 pointers 50 shots

Total : 340 shots

I write down how many makes and misses.

thanks

Oh I forget. I have a camp coming up. It's my school's camp combined with other local high schools. So, it starts next week monday.
So any tips for me before camp starts?

Good plan....

I would do a little less form shooting (unless your form warrants it) and add shots to #4 in a couple of other spots.

I do like the plan that you have set out for yourself...... see if you can get somebody who wants to do this with you.. more fun, quicker to accomplish, you can critique each other too.....

Keep an open mind when coaches are trying to help you... work hard at camp and do the best you can. You can learn something from EVERY coach you come in contact with... (even if you don't like them or agree with them) Let us know how the camp goes.

Whew camp was very tiring and fun too.
My coach was impressed how I rebound the ball the most.
He like the way I block out on D and quickly rebound the ball from the primeter.
My coach (assistant) he writes down all of the team's overall per game stats.
I look it up on the last day of camp, I was the lead rebound on the team! I averaged
8.2 rpg! Say is that a good number? 2.4 ppg(44%), needs more work.
At camp, they have the "shot doctor" and he really helps me a lot.
He said that my arc was too short, that why I miss a lot.
There was 16 players from my HS that went and other 5 HS as well.
We were placed 3rd for the tourament. I was playing more minutes comparing
my teamates. I would say about 24 minutes a game. I didn't start the game
the first day but I did start overall the next day. Must be a great oppriunity for me to
be a starter for varsity 2012. Camp was fun and lots of sprinting exhausting man.
So what you think?

First of all, glad you enjoyed the camp coming away with some good information...... REBOUNDING is a big part of the game... a lot of coaches build their teams around GREAT REBOUNDERS, Point guards and a GOOD post player..... Rebounding as well as you do should get you at the very least a GREAT look from the coaches.... don't worry too much about starting, what is important, is WHO is in the game during crunch time.
The coach telling you that your arc is short ( meaning the arc/shot is flat ) I think I told you that your elbow should be around your eye as you are releasing the ball.... is that what he was telling you?
Now that you are home you can work on that form.... do it against a wall, that way you wont be worried about making shots.... do this EVERYDAY until you get it right... and of course your regular shooting work out.
Keep up the good work and that you will give you a great opportunity to realize your dream/GOAL - being a starter for your varsity team.
GOOD LUCK

Yeah thanks.
So I should keep working on my same game i did at camp?
2012, I will be a senior and hoping to end well.
I have never get serious in HS games since I first make the varsity team.
I'm 18 years I repeated 8th grade twice. Took my grades serious when I enter HS.
I was pretty lazy before and now I step up have a nice 3.0 gpa. Reason because
at try-out during my freshman year, I was 2.5 gpa they said only 2.5 to make the team.
I was risky choice and not make the team. THen i try out again my 10th, with 2.8 gpa, made
the JV and yes started 50/50 of the season. I work very little over the summer, I was only practicing basketball
at 3 times a week and shooting about 100 shots maybe more. So, I make the Varstiy my JR year because of my D
and really took the game seriously. I took advice from my cousin who played ball and he said D can make you "noticed by
coach" I said ok, so I work hard on my D, gave my good minutes and games...etc. Then I went to camp for first time.
I learned a lot that will improve my games. Got the highest rebounds. Starting the games. I realized that
I should work harder than what I did my pevious summers. plus I did play my 8th grade basketball team but got cut because of
my grades. So, I took my plans seriously whatever you read. Yeah, so what you think of my story?
PS i am now 5'7" shortest guy on the team but 2nd fastest runner. My time for 100 meters is 11.42 sec. Pretty awesome?
yes i run for track for 2 years.

Some people are late bloomers on and off the court.... my grades were 2. at best - didn't go to college until I was 32 and then had a 4.59 all the way through... so you got serious a lot earlier than I did.. it took bball to get you to that... it took teaching and coaching to get me there.
Big point, remember, bball is not going to be your career.... have some fun, work hard on and off the court so you can make something of yourself.... by now, you should have some idea as to what you want to do with your life.
D is your strong suit and your coach likes that... use that to your advantage, work on the things they taught you in camp... make yourself a better all around player....that will get you more minutes.
I LIKE your story, it seems like you are on the right track to success... keep it up.

Alright, Thanks for your help.
I will come back when school starts and let you know how i go.
thanks

I need help on my shooting form. All my coaches describe it as a slingshot shooting motion as the ball flies against the backboard. I just get frustrated and depressed on the subject. I still manage to score a good amounts of points in the post but my jumpshot never falls for me.

What have they told you to do? Have they demonstrated it for you or walked you through your shot?

Sounds like your form is messed up.....

Stand by a wall, take one dribble and bring the ball up with your shooting hand... go into your shot at the wall.... your release point shout be like elbow to eye/ear.... that should take care of the flat shot.... do NOT let the ball go behind your head - as you are bringing it up the ball starts by along side of your eye and you bring the ball up and as your elbow gets around your eye/ear you go into the shot.

Do a search regarding shooting and you should see some examples.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9s_ukMz0e0&feature=related