How To Shoot A Basketball - Proper Basketball Shooting Technique, Fundamentals, Form & FAQ's

Home > Player > Basketball Skills > Shooting > Proper Basketball Shooting Technique, Fundamentals, and Form

How Should You Shoot A Basketball? It’s a critical question. Why?

Because it's often said that great shooters have a place on any team.

Even if you aren't blessed with tremendous speed, strength or athleticism, great shooting is one of the surest ways you can stand out on the basketball court.

If you spend the time developing and practicing your shot, it will pay off in:

  • Making the team
  • Getting more playing time
  • Scoring consistently
  • Feeling confident and having fun every time you step on the floor

Now, let me start with some good news!

Yes, you do need very good shooting form and technique to shoot consistently well.

But it does NOT need to be "perfect".

If you watch enough great shooters, you'll see that their form varies quite a bit based on what's comfortable (and what works) for them.

But almost all great shooters follow the principles I'll explain in this article. So keep reading for (all the good stuff)!

How To Properly Shoot A Basketball - Stationary Basketball Shooting Form and Technique

In this section, we give you the raw form and mechanics of stationary shooting.

In other words, this section does NOT address the fundamentals of shooting on the move and more advanced footwork you'll need for game situations.

Here's a quick roadmap of the stationary shooting fundamentals that we'll be covering:

  1. Eyes on Target
  2. Stance and Balance
  3. Shot Pocket
  4. Grip
  5. Balance Hand
  6. Delivery
  7. Upforce and Landing
  8. Follow Through
  9. Correct Shot

Want to Score More Points and Become
a Confident Shooter?

Coach Jim Huber's Shooting and Scoring System gives players a proven, step-by-step plan to transform your shot and raise your scoring average. Inside you'll get:

  • 5+ hours of video training on mechanics, footwork, release, and shooting off the catch and dribble

  • Progression drills and 14 levels of workouts to improve at any stage

  • 100+ drills and 15 advanced scoring moves to expand your offensive game

  • A workout app to track progress, customize training, and stay consistent

promotional image


EYES ON TARGET

basketball shooter, eyes on target
  • To improve accuracy, locate the target (rim) as early as possible.

  • Keep your eyes on the target and do not follow the flight of the ball.

  • Keeping your target focus is very important!



STANCE AND BALANCE

basketball shooting stance and balance
  • Feet are shoulder width apart for good balance.

  • Feet should be in a slightly staggered stance that is consistent and comfortable for you. Your shooting foot is slightly ahead of the non-shooting foot in a comfortable position.

  • Point your feet in the general direction of the basket, but not necessarily directly at it. We prefer an open stance, but you can also use the closed (squared) stance if that's more comfortable for you. With an open stance, your feet point towards one side of the basket. For example, a right handed shooter will point his or her feet just to the left of the rim for a more natural position and shooting motion.

  • Once you develop a comfortable stance, line up your feet the exact same way on every shot. Whatever stance you use, consistency is critical.

  • Flex/bend your knees on every shot.



SHOT POCKET

basketball shooting shot pocket
  • As you catch the ball, move it quickly into the shot pocket.

  • Line everything up so the ball and your shooting eye form a straight line to the basket. This is VERY important.

  • Position the ball several inches above your waist.

  • Grip the ball properly and be ready to shoot.

  • Position the ball in your shot pocket the SAME way every time you catch it.



GRIP

basketball shooting grip
  • Place the air hole between the middle and index fingers.

  • Line up your fingertip pads parallel to the long seams of the ball, so you can monitor the back spin.

  • Leave space between the ball and the middle of your palm. You should be able to insert a pencil between the ball and your palm area.

basketball shooting set position (try to make sure all images aligned center the same. . . weird formatting on old doc)
  • Spread your fingers far enough apart to comfortably balance the ball in one hand.

  • The ball should sit on your finger pads.



BALANCE HAND

basketball shooting balance hand
  • Your non-shooting hand should be on the side of the ball.

  • Your balance hand should not add force or spin to the shot.

basketball shooting release point
  • Your non-shooting hand should not move on delivery and should ALWAYS come off the ball FIRST.



DELIVERY

basketball shooting side release
  • The ball should start motion directly upwards from the shot pocket.

  • Your elbow should be positioned comfortably under the ball.

  • The ball stays in front of you and should not go behind your head.

basketball shooting side full body release
  • Uncoil your body with your legs, core, and arm power all coordinated.

  • Your elbow and wrist should extend in a straight line to the basket.

basketball shoot follow through
  • Your shooting hand should extend in a straight line to the rim.

  • Hand position on delivery is very important. The ball should come off the hand with perfect symmetrical backspin.

  • As shown in the picture to the right, your guide hand stays to the side and does not influence the flight of the ball.



UPFORCE AND LANDING

basketball shooting uplift
  • Release the ball on the way up, just before the top of your jump.

  • Use your legs to generate upforce.

  • You should land in the same spot that you jumped, which shows that you have good balance on your shot.

basketball shooting straight up and down


FOLLOW-THROUGH

basketball shooting side follow through
  • Your wrists should be floppy (relaxed).

  • Fingers should be pointed at the target (rim).

  • Finish high. You should see your fingers at the top square of the back board.

  • Hold your follow through position until the ball hits the rim.


If you want more tips, techniques & drills to perfect your shooting form, check out our Shooting Form Page!

Shooting Form & Technique FAQ’s

  • What’s the most important part of shooting a basketball?
    The most critical elements are consistent form, proper balance, and a clean follow-through. Good shooting mechanics create reliability.

  • How often should I practice my shot to improve?
    For beginners, aim for at least 15–30 minutes of focused, deliberate shooting practice most days. It’s the consistency, not just volume, that drives improvement.

  • Why am I better in practice than in games?
    One big reason: game conditions differ—defender pressure, fatigue, decision-making. Transfer to games requires simulating those conditions and reinforcing form under stress. Shooting while contested or while fatigued can help with this.

  • Do I always have to jump when I shoot?
    Not always. Your jump shot should include leg power, but the timing of that power matters. For shorter shots, a minimal jump may suffice; for longer range, more leg drive is required.

  • How do I add range to my shot without losing form?
    Focus on synchronizing leg power with your release—not just “use your legs.” Maintain your mechanics, keep your form consistent, and gradually extend your distance. 

  • What are the common mistakes that break down a shot?
    Typical errors include: misaligned feet, flared elbow, shooting with the guide hand, early leg extension, and inconsistent target focus. Fixing one at a time helps.

  • Which drills should I use to build a reliable shot?
    Start with stationary form drills (eyes on target, shot pocket, grip, balance hand). Then add dynamic drills: dribble-to-shoot, off the catch, off the move. Repetition + progression = success.

  • What are the best drills to build muscle memory for shooting?
    Form shooting is your foundation. Start close to the rim (3–5 feet) and focus on perfect mechanics—balance, elbow under the ball, soft follow-through. Repeat 25–50 reps daily before moving back.

  • How can I practice shooting off the dribble?
    Start with simple 1-dribble pull-ups to your dominant side, then add step-backs, crossovers, and combo moves. Work on planting your feet quickly after the dribble to stay balanced.

  • What drills help me improve my shooting when under pressure or when contested?
    Simulate game pressure by adding a closeout defender, a countdown clock, or a score challenge. Try the Kentucky Shooting Drill.

  • How do I improve my shooting consistency from three-point range?
    Use distance progression drills—start mid-range, then step back one foot at a time without changing form. Focus on arc, rhythm, and timing leg drive with release.

  • What are good team shooting drills for practice?
    Try competitive, time-based shooting drills like “5-Spot Shooting,” “Around the World,” and “Beat the Pro.” These build rhythm, confidence, and energy during team sessions.

  • How can I track my shooting improvement?
    Keep a shooting journal or use a workout app to record attempts, makes, and shooting percentage. Track progress over time to see which drills produce the best results.

Form Shooting Articles

Related Products & Helpful Resources

Basketball Shooting Camps

Free Basketball Shooting Workouts

Basketball Workout App - Shooting Workouts, Guard Play Workouts, Post Workouts, etc.

FREE BONUS PDF
5 Shooting Drills To Make More 3's

Enter your email below to get your FREE copy of 5 Shooting Drills To Make More 3's
Age Level
Youth Middle School High School College Other
Category
I'm a Coach I'm a Coach & Parent of Player I'm a Parent I'm a Player I'm a Trainer Other
Please do not change the values in the following 4 fields, they are just to stop spam bots. Leave them blank if they are currently blank.



Comments

Most Likes First   Oldest First   Newest First

Ethan Ekstrand says:
8/23/2020 at 12:17:37 AM

I’m really trying to perfect my form at the moment, I feel like everything is getting better except this one problem I have. The problem is that whenever I shoot I tend to arch my back backwards and it takes away a lot of power.

Like
  1 person liked this. 1 reply  

Jeff Haefner says:
8/27/2020 at 9:01:38 AM

Practice lots of form shooting to correct the habit. Try this routine:
https://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/fundamentals/shooting-drills.html

Like
   


Anonymous says:
10/8/2008 at 11:30:23 AM

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

Like
   

Thomas Browning says:
11/3/2008 at 6:25:14 PM

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

Like
   

Joe Haefner says:
11/3/2008 at 8:45:52 PM

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

Like
   

Hadi Sherazi says:
11/7/2008 at 7:39:54 AM

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

Like
   

Joe Haefner says:
11/7/2008 at 1:50:34 PM

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.

Like
   

Hadi Sherazi says:
11/8/2008 at 4:43:32 AM

Thank you thats a great help

Like
   

Nelson says:
12/11/2008 at 9:36:27 PM

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

Like
   

Joe Haefner says:
12/12/2008 at 1:00:48 PM

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.

Like
   

Ania says:
12/14/2008 at 1:43:31 PM

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.

Like
   

Show More










































































































































































































































































































































Leave a Comment
Name
:
Email (not published)
:
Twelve plus one is equal to?  (Prevents Spam)
Answer
:
 Load New Question
Comments
:
Leave this Blank
: