Basketball Shooting Technique

After all, it is shooting at the basket and seeing the ball through, which scores the point for the team. So it is beyond doubt, that the technique is the one to master! Beginners have always had trouble with the shooting technique, what with the whole 2-step-and-jump thing, which had totally had me in knots for a long time. Even with the shot, there is a particular way to shoot it which generally seems to yield a better accuracy rate. This by the way, can be achieved by gaining mastery over technique.

Proper Basketball Shooting Technique

So for all of you who have been simply chucking the basketball vaguely in the direction of the basket with no real success, perhaps it is a good idea to invest some time in learning the shooting techniques. Now this article only discusses the basic shooting technique and really nothing about bringing the ball from below your feet and performing some eye-catching athleticism along the way. This one simply refines your basics and helps you become a good shooter.

The Stance
If you're a beginner, it will be better for you to stand in the key area of the basketball court, rather than standing at an odd angle. Stand with your feet slightly apart, shoulder-length distance between your feet. Keep your knees slightly bent, so that it becomes easier for you to spring up and jump to take the shot.

The Grip
It is important to know the correct way to hold the ball. Now if you look closely at the ball, you will see that the lines running over it, meet at the two opposite poles of the ball. Picture the ball as the earth, with those two points as the north and south poles. Now assuming that you will take the shot with your right hand, hold the ball with the left side of the two poles facing your left palm. Position the fingers of your right hand over the center of the ball. The finger of your right hand should be positioned in a way that they face the basket. Remember, the right hand gives the force and the left hand gives the direction. Instead of the ball, if you were to have the globe of the earth in your hand, your left hand would be palm-facing the south pole, while your right hand would be covering the equator.

The Shot
While taking the shot, keep your eyes focused on the basket. You know where the ball is supposed to be headed. Keep your eye on the target. Now gently roll the ball off you fingertips, and as it reaches the end of your fingertips, give a forward thrust so that it heads towards the basket. One very good tip is to try to hit the backboard, so that it drops into the basket. Sometimes, it is not possible to shoot directly into the basket, so it is always better to shoot the backboard. Hit it with only so much force that the ball doesn't rebound off it, but instead drops into the basket.

Like I said before, shooting is an important technique to master when it comes to basketball, as that's what wins the game. So good luck with it.