How to Shoot a Basketball

How to

Shoot a

Basketball

Created by Shawn Farmer

Focus on your target

- As soon as you knowthat you want to take a

shot locate the rim of thehoop.

- Keep your eyes on thetarget and do not follow

the path of the ball orlook down at your stance.

Balance & Stance

- Your feet should be shoulderwidth apart and slightly

staggered with your shootingfoot, the foot on the same sideas your shooting arm, slightly.

ahead of your non-shooting foot- Point your feet towards the

basket.- Bend your knees slightly.

- Once you find a stance thatyou like use it every time so that

you don't have to think twiceabout it.

Grip

- Position your elbow so that it's directly under the ball-Your non-shooting hand should be on the side of the ball

acting as a guide for the shot. It should always come off of theball first.

- While you're preparing to shoot, your palm should not betouching the ball. You should be controlling the ball with your

fingers and thumb.

Move the ball to

the shot pocket

- Line up so that the balland your shooting eyeform a straight line to

the basket.- Put the ball a few

inches above your waist.

Taking the shot

- Don't bring the ball any lower thanthe shot pocket.

- Jump. Use your legs to help propelthe ball by jumping while your

shooting hand launches the ballupwards.

- Your elbow and wrist should be ina straight line towards the basket.

- Just before you reach the height ofyour jump, release the ball fromyour shooting hand towards the

basket. Straighten your elbow andpush the ball forward with your

wrist.- The ball should roll off of yourfingertips towards the basket.

Follow through

- If you don't follow throughyour shot won't be that

accurate.- Your shooting wrist should

be floppy and your fingersshould be pointed towards

the rim of the basket.- Hold your follow throughuntil the ball hits the rim.

Perfecting your technique

- Practice practice practice to develop muscle memory.- Practice shooting from many different angles and distances

from the basket, using the same form every time.