Basketball Shooting Tips

We always see basketball players performing some amazing shoots and scoring points. Seeing it, looks very easy, but ask some college level basketball players they will tell you that the amount of hard work and observation which is required to shoot a point is immense. Shooting a basketball is the most important skill that you should master, at the end of the game, the number of successful shoots you score, the more number of points you are bound to make.

Basketball Shooting Tips and Tricks

So you want to become a great shooter like Kobe Bryant, let's start with saying that having a good shot makes you a threat on the court. Let's point out some basketball shooting drills and tips.

Locate the Basket
Locate your basket or rim just a second before, you are about to shoot the ball. Locating it a second before, gives your mind more time to make a judgment that will score a successful shot. Your eyes should locate the rim or basket as you are moving closer to score a point.

Maintain your Follow Through
Every player hears this phrase a million times from his coach, but still doesn't follow it. Maintaining your follow through resolves a large number of shooting problems. It is a simple yet effective basketball shooting tip, that helps you maintain a good balance without you even noticing it.

Score the Point with a Floppy Wrist
This is one of the most common mistakes all the players make while scoring a point. Keep your wrist as relaxed as possible while making a point. Your hand should throw the ball on line and keep it bouncing during the flow through. This is a great basketball tip for kids.

Colored Basketball
During practice always use a colored basketball. It improves the straightness of the shot. A colored basketball makes it easy to see the rotation and direction of your ball.

Never Shoot a Ball like a Famous Player
Never copy any famous player while shooting a ball. Most youngsters try to mimic Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordon, trust me it's not going to lead anywhere and you'll end up missing many shots.

Don't Think too much During the Game
It is one of the most stupidest things that players do. Never think about your shot while you are in a game. Do that during practice, it's alright to think during a shooting session. During games, don't think about anything. Just concentrate on your game and go with the rhythm.

Watch some Game DVDs
Watch great players over and over, do some amazing shots it will help you improve your confidence and form. You can never stop learning, also read some books and see some good shooting DVDs to learn from.

Use Help to Line your Shot Alignment
Spend quality time during each practice session, practicing along a court line back and forth. Keep trying to bounce the ball as close to the line as possible. This easy technique will help you to improve the exactness of your shot.

Land in the Same Spot
Balance is given utmost importance in basketball. Most players achieve the required balance by proper posture and footwork. After your shot, try to land at the same place where you started.

Film your Shoots
Many players haven't seen themselves shooting and when they actually do, they are clearer on the mistakes they make. Seeing your own shots also motivates you to improve your game.

Include a Return Device in your Practice
Practicing with some basketball return devices can actually double the number of shots you take in practice. Normally we waste a lot of time while chasing the ball. A return device solves that problem and lets you make more shots in lesser time.

Keep your Ball above Waist
Always keep the ball above your waist when you catch hold of the ball. Never dip the ball.

Keep a Track Chart of your Shots
During a practice session shoot a minimum 50 shots, ask your partner to keep a track chart of your shots. So that you come to know how many shots were long, short, fell to the left, or to the right. This detailed information will help you keep note of the mistakes that you are making.

So there you go, I have enlisted 13 basketball shooting tips to make your game good. Never fall for commercial stuff such as shooting gloves or shooting gimmicks, these things do nothing. You have to practice hard to have a perfect shot.