Questions From Subscribers...

Hi Star,

One of the most important aspects in shooting is to shoot the basketball straight. If you have your elbow pointing out, it's almost impossible to shoot the ball straight on consistent basis. Once, they develop this habit, it's even more difficult to change. So, it’s very important to make sure that players are using proper form FROM THE START.

If you are shooting with your elbow out, shots will go the left and to the right with no accuracy. This creates two places that a shooter can go wrong (Assuming that the player’s feet and torso are aligned properly):

1. To the right or the left
2. Too far or too short

If you shoot with your elbow in, almost all shots will go straight. Then, all you have to worry about is the distance you shoot the ball which is fairly easy to adjust to.


There are a few things you want to do in order to fix this.

1. Don’t have them do form shooting at a basket. Have them form 2 lines across from each other. Have the kids shoot with proper form back and forth to each other. That way, the kids are not adjusting their form to get it to the basket.

2. When the kids shoot at a basket, have them dip their elbows. This will help them generate enough power to get the ball up to the hoop. You do not want them to lean forward too much. You want them to keep a fairly erect torso. Some slight forward lean is okay.

I’ve seen this technique used at shooting camps and I’ve seen an 8 year old knock down three pointers on a 10 foot hoop with the correct form. You can also watch Steve Nash. He shoots with his elbow a little bit lower to generate more power from 3-point range.

PROGRESSION: It is very important to track the progression for each child so they can see the improvement. Shooting with their elbows out, let’s say they make 4 out of 10. At first, shooting with their elbows in, they may only make 2 out of 10. The next week, they make 3 out of 10. Two weeks later, they make 4 out of 10. A month later, they make 5 out of 10. Let them know that you understand that they won’t make as many at first, but in the long run, this will help them make more shots.


For more on information, you can visit this link on shooting form:
http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/fundamentals/shooting.html

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About elbows pointing out...
i am 15 yrs old and shoot with my elbow slightly out but many of my shots go in - around 30-40 percent

many people in the nba and other leagues shoot with they''re elbow slightly out but get heaps of shots in especially Ray Allen who is considered a good jump shooter.
is it really important to keep you''re elbow straight because if it is i might start to do tht

thanks

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Hi Kevin,

Having your elbow slightly out is fine. You should feel comfortable with your shot. You still want to have your elbow relatively under the ball.

However, you should not have your elbow sticking straight out.

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hi im 15 and i shoot with my elbows out and my coach keeps yelling at me and i dont know what to do sometimes i'll make the it but i usually dont whaT THE BEST WAY FOR A GIRL WHOS HAS C.A.P AND HAS TROUBLE SHOOTIN AND MAKIN IT AND THE OTHR TEAM IS PRESSURING?

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Hi Karissa,

For more on shooting form, I would check out this link: http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/fundamentals/shooting.html#fundamentals

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My Son swears up and down that when he stops dribbling instead of passing the ball or shooting, he can bounce the ball off the defender's foot to make the ball go out on them to avoid a traveling call and get the ball back. Can you set the record straight so I can show him the answer from someone other than his Dad (who is tired of getting the basketball bounced on his toes).

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Sorry Dad, your son is right. If your son gives up his dribble he can throw the ball off your dogs. Essentially he is passing the ball. It''''s a pass as long as he throws the ball and he doesn''''t touch it prior to the ball being touched by another player (or the rim/backboard). As they used to say in Wide World of Sports-the thrill of victory (your son) and the agony of defeat (your toes).
:)

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Is it really important to keep your elbow tucked in and pointing to the basket before u shoot? I’m used to placing the ball directly on top of my head before I shoot but then my elbow is sticking out slightly. If I tuck in my elbow it is natural for me to place the ball on the side of my head before I shoot which feels really weird because I’m not used to it. So does it really make a big difference where I place the ball before I shoot and if I should tuck in my elbow with it pointing to the basket? Thanks!

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JP -

This is Joe's answer to all of this... and yes it is important... bottom line, IF you want to be a good shooter - you have to be able to shoot the ball with good form.


Joe (Co-founder of Breakthrough Basketball) says:


One of the most important aspects in shooting is to shoot the basketball straight. If you have your elbow pointing out, it's almost impossible to shoot the ball straight on consistent basis. Once, they develop this habit, it's even more difficult to change. So, it’s very important to make sure that players are using proper form FROM THE START.

If you are shooting with your elbow out, shots will go the left and to the right with no accuracy. This creates two places that a shooter can go wrong (Assuming that the player’s feet and torso are aligned properly):

1. To the right or the left
2. Too far or too short

If you shoot with your elbow in, almost all shots will go straight. Then, all you have to worry about is the distance you shoot the ball which is fairly easy to adjust to.


There are a few things you want to do in order to fix this.

1. Don’t have them do form shooting at a basket. Have them form 2 lines across from each other. Have the kids shoot with proper form back and forth to each other. That way, the kids are not adjusting their form to get it to the basket.

2. When the kids shoot at a basket, have them dip their elbows. This will help them generate enough power to get the ball up to the hoop. You do not want them to lean forward too much. You want them to keep a fairly erect torso. Some slight forward lean is okay.

I’ve seen this technique used at shooting camps and I’ve seen an 8 year old knock down three pointers on a 10 foot hoop with the correct form. You can also watch Steve Nash. He shoots with his elbow a little bit lower to generate more power from 3-point range.

PROGRESSION: It is very important to track the progression for each child so they can see the improvement. Shooting with their elbows out, let’s say they make 4 out of 10. At first, shooting with their elbows in, they may only make 2 out of 10. The next week, they make 3 out of 10. Two weeks later, they make 4 out of 10. A month later, they make 5 out of 10. Let them know that you understand that they won’t make as many at first, but in the long run, this will help them make more shots.


For more on information, you can visit this link on shooting form:
http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/fundamentals/shooting.html

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Hi, which is more important, correct form, or comfort. And could you possibly give me a simple breakdown on what muscle groups are used when shooting basketball?

Thanks, Bernard

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Sometimes, I miss my shots right or left and I have my shooting elbow slightly out. Are there any other reasons a player misses left or right besides for the elbow sticking slightly out?

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Sometimes I miss my shot to the left or the right and I have my elbow sticking slightly out. Are there any reasons a player misses left or right besides for the elbow sticking out?

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Hi,

I'm sort of a perfectionist when it comes to shooting. In other words, I want my basketball shooting form to be perfect.

I know there is no perfect way, but I want my shooting form to be as perfect as I could get it to be.

The problem I have is when I make my elbow perfectly straight and in front of my body (lined up with my right leg) in my shooting pocket, my index finger is not pointing directly behind me or south as I like to put it. It points behind me to the right (or southeast).

Therefore, when I flick my wrist, my index finger naturally flicks to the left towards my guide hand, but I read that I'm supposed to be shooting the ball with my index and middle finger through my guide hand, and I could only accomplish this by having my elbow slightly out so my index finger points directly behind me in my shooting pocket.

Is there something I'm misinterpreting about having a straight elbow? Because I'm pretty sure it doesn't work when it's perfectly straight.

Thanks.

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Bob -

A couple of things here... don't worry about perfection.... think more about consistency.
Practice it so that it becomes all about muscle memory... meaning you don't have to think about it.... it will happen.

Try this... take one dribble and bring the ball up with your shooting hand. I think you will notice that your elbow will be slightly out - its comfortable that way and your shooting % should become more consistent.

DON'T overthink this - that will just drive you nuts. Face it, in games you cant talk yourself though your shot or practice it before you let it go..... so find a nice comfortable release that is giving you good results... practice it a lot..... the more repetitions you give yourself the better your shot will get. Remember, we all have bad days too... IF you are having trouble with your shot in a game, get yourself to the FT line where you can take a couple of practice shots without the ball of course. :-)

I hope this helps.

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Check this page out ---- by the way, your elbow upon release should be around your eye/ear area.

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

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Ken,

Thanks so much about your last comment, "your elbow upon release should be around your eye/ear area." My elbow has too outward and nowhere near my eye/ear area upon release this whole time (I videotaped my shot).

By fixing this, I just went on my outside rim for 20 minutes and hit 99 out of 100 free throws and 50 straight mid range jumpers in a row. I think I've solved the missing puzzle in terms of my mechanics.

You're also right about consistency as well. Now that I have all the correct principles in tact, I just have to practice my butt off and the sky's the limit for me right now.

I don't think you know how helpful you've just been to me. I never knew an online comment would be so much help in this sudden epiphany for me.

Thank you so much,

With the best of gratitude,

Bob

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And about my elbow being straight - I''ve learned to comfortably get it as straight as I can without overthinking it.

Thanks again :)

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Your welcome Bob - glad that I could help you.
Good luck and I hope you do well...... by the way, that is an amazing free throw shooting %

Now you can relax and have some fun shooting..

The bill will be in the mail tomorrow LOL

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Hey, I feel like I have a problem with my shooting technique. I have read your shooting technique articles and common mistakes when shooting but I can't seem to identify my problem. The issues I think I may have are
1) Follow through is not so good (sometimes i find my hand pointing towards the left of the basket which causes uncomfort.)
2) Maybe something balance related or im not using my legs enough.
I have my friends anaylze my shot but they don't see anything "wrong"
Thanks

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Anthony -

Without seeing your shot its pretty tough to nail down your problem. If we had a video it would be a lot easier. What level do you play at?

1- Follow through..... where does your shot go? Left, right on in the basket? One way of correcting this is to shoot against a wall one handed.... pick a spot in front of you and shoot for the spot..... HOLDING your follow through.

2- Balance .... if its balance, your stance should be somewhat like a boxer.... foot of the shooting hand should be a little forward of the non shooting hand. NOT enough legs makes me think your shot is short.

So, tell us more about the shot.... goes to the left, short or whatever??? IF your shooting % is good, I wouldn't worry too much. The key is to be consistent IF you have good form.

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Hello! I am 14 and I used to shoot the ball pretty consistently, but soon I read many articles and learned from different people that I should release the ball higher ( i used to release it around my chin ). Now ive been rebuilding my shot and I cant keep my elbow straight! I can keep my arm straight without the basketball, but the minute I put the basketball on my hand and go up for my shot it flares out. It flares out like this / . My favorite player is Stephen Curry and I dont understand how his arm is almost perfectly straight on a consistent basis. Ive been rebuilding my shot for months and I have made progress like my footing and my release point and even how low i dip when I shoot the ball. I even take note of how my feet sway in the air. I can make shots, but it wont feel right until my elbow is relatively straight. This has been really frustrating because I know I can shoot but I haven''t found my shot. Thanks in advance.

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John...

It sounds like reading all those articles has confused you. Let's talk about your release point first. Your elbow should be around your eye/ear area As you release the ball.

Start by working on your form. Shoot against the wall using one hand only. Keep practicing that until you get your form correct. This is going to take a while, maybe thousands of shots. (Maybe less). You have to build what we called muscle memory, doing this will make your shot automatic and you won't have to think about it. Using one hand will force you to keep your elbow under the ball.

Then start taking short shots 5 to six feet and work your way back as you become successful.

One thing for sure, I think you are overthinking your shot. You need to relax little bit and work on your form. Don't worry about perfection, think about getting comfortable and consistent.

As you release your shot, you should have what some call, your hand in the cookie jar. Some people don't like that wordage but, that gives you an idea of the follow through with your hand. Keep your eye on the target until the ball goes in the basket.

Look at some of my other comments above, I think those will help you out also.

Try this for a couple of days and let us know how it goes. Good luck

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http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SfTxHGOQdEc&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DSfTxHGOQdEc

Check out this video of a 14-year-old boy using the swish method of shooting. He has been working on this for three years and his shot is automatic/the form is pretty much the same on every shot.

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Thanks, ill try this out.

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Be patient, this will take a little time to develop.

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My shot used to consist shooting with my elbow out but these past 3 weeks or so I''''ve noticed a huge change in NY accuracy and the tendency of the ball going in I''''m about 70 percent of threes! I take about 400 shots a day, looking good! Thanks!!

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My elbow doesn't align properly with the basket

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That is because you feet are not properly aligned.

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Im struggling to keep my elbow straight i tried dipping my elbow but i have trouble doing that, any suggestions?

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Joe Haefner says: 4/21/2015 at 4:50:03 PM It's hard to diagnose without being present, but my advice is simple. Follow Rick Penny's advice in his shooting video. I have tweaked my shooting progressions to match what he teaches in his videos and ebooks. We sell the video on our site: https://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/store/shopexd.asp?id=136 If you're not interested in the video, we also have a ton of free shooting resources here: https://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/fundamentals/shooting.html Like     login   register

I am 14 and on my follow through, my right arm goes left and I am starting to miss a lot of shots, can someone help me, I have no clue how to fix it.

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Joe Haefner says: 6/23/2015 at 9:33:04 AM How are your feet aligned? Like     login   register

How much or hard should I took in my elbow??

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Hey im actually in college and ive been shooting with the ball across my face and as a result my elbow out for so long that it''s hard to fix now. It feels so strange when i put the ball not across my face and i always miss short. What can i do to make that feel more natural? Im a 1 motion shooter if that helps at all.

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My shot lately has become very uncomfortable and I also feel like my elbow is tucked too far in. any way to fix this?

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On my shot my arm goes left and is never straight when following through on my shot. How do I fix this?

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Hi, I used to shoot with two hands and was corrected recently. Now I can't shoot threes and constantly shoot airballs. I used to be good at shooting threes, any tips you have?
Thanks :)

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Jeff says: 4/5/2017 at 8:47:28 AM Depending on your size and age, you might not be ready to shoot 3's. Focus on good technique. As you get experience and practice more, range will improve. Start close to the basket and work you're way out. If you start missing too much or form gets sloppy, move back in. Like     login   register

Hello, I'm 12 years old and I'm one of the best shooters on the team, but I found out that my Left elbow sticks out a little. A little more than a 45 degree angle with the ball. If u get what I'm saying. Maybe more like a 60 degree angle. Anyway, I'm very mechanical with my shot. So could u tell me if it's ok or not to have ur left elbow or arm stick out

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I think I meant to say that I have a 60 to 70 degree angle to my right arm. If that makes sense.

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Jeff Haefner says: 7/16/2017 at 9:03:20 PM Some coaches will say your elbow needs to be under your hand. Others say its ok to flare out a little. I believe that if you have a good release and you shoot the same way every time, it is fine for the elbow to flare out a little. What ever you do, make sure your mechanics stay the same. Like     login   register

Hi, I want to know what is a shot line in basketball. I been searching and watching you tube of what it is. Can someone use detail description to describe it to me?
I also want to know what is the difference between set point and shooting pockets. Is set points only for two motion shooter and shot pockets for one motion shooters?

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Jeff Haefner says: 10/7/2017 at 10:42:09 AM The shot line. That is the line the ball travels from starting position to finish. Some coaches say the ball should stay on the "shot line" and it moves through your delivery. Most coaches say the shot line is an imaginary line starting with your dominant eye and travels straight down to the floor (near your right foot). Set point and shot pocket terminology is not used by coaches consistently. Depending on who you listen to, it can have different meanings. This article explains the shot pocket. The set point is the position you have the ball near the top of your head (while arms form a 90 degree angle. If you are a one motion shooter, you do not stop at the set point... it's continuous motion. https://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/fundamentals/shooting-technique.html Like     login   register

I played college basketball 35 years ago and have always been a very good shooter. I didn’t play for 10 years & now, although older, have started playing again. I have also coached kids and continue to coach shooting as a volunteer to local kids.. My comment is related to the elbow. I think having the elbow directly under the ball is overemphasized. Many NBA players have the elbow out (not a chicken wing, but out). JJ Redick is a good example of a great shooter that often has his feet facing the basket and elbow a little out. Especially for shooters that face more directly to the basket with toes more straight and a set point in the middle of the head with a middle finger release, like Redick, the elbow really has to be out. For other shooters that have a set point in the middle of the head (like Kevin Durant), it is biomechanically extremely difficult to keep the elbow in. Of course, I agree that during the shot & at the release, the arm will become straight and the finish is with a straight arm & elbow at or above eye level. I would be interested in comments about this. Thanks.

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Joe Haefner says: 3/29/2018 at 9:47:00 AM Thanks for the comment, Jay. Unfortunately, I don't have much to add to your comment. Having your elbow SLIGHTLY out isn't a big deal. Like     login   register

When shooting my right foot goes inward and I tried to fix it but every time I shoot (3 pointers only) my foot just does it on its own and I tried so many things to fix it. My shooting arm flares out a small to decent amount but I need these 2 things fixed any advice?

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Jeff Haefner says: 11/19/2019 at 8:11:27 AM Depending on how far it moves and your body mechanics, that foot moving inward might be fine. Sometimes the shooting arm flaring out a little can be ok too. It depends. I would suggest working with a shooting coach. Ultimately you want balance, consistent shot process, consistent footwork, sufficient arc. Those are some commonalities of great shooters... if you watch the greats the all have a little different technique. Does your foot moving inward or your arm flaring a little bit affect your shot causing you to miss left or right? If not, then it might be fine. Again, have a shooting coaching watch you. That is best option. Like     login   register

Practice Shooting with one hand and you''ll see that your elbow is directly under the ball and the ball is off to the side.. practice that as much as you can.. then practice with two.. just make sure that the ball remains to the side so your elbow remains in a 90 degree angle.. it''s going to feel weird at first like your pushing the ball across your face with your off hand.. but the more you do it the more natural it will feel.. good luck

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Practice Shooting with one hand and you''ll see that your elbow is directly under the ball and the ball is off to the side.. practice that as much as you can.. then practice with two.. just make sure that the ball remains to the side so your elbow remains in a 90 degree angle.. it''s going to feel weird at first like your pushing the ball across your face with your off hand.. but the more you do it the more natural it will feel.. good luck

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