Shooting in basketball is one of the most important skills in basketball and also probably the most practiced aspect of basketball for the majority of players. This is probably due to it being one of the easiest things to practice because it only requires a player, a ball and a hoop to practice.

Why Do You Need To Become A Better Shooter In Basketball?

Shooting in the NBA in particular has become more important as teams have learnt that having multiple good shooters on the court allows their teams offense to operate with more spacing and therefore more effectiveness. It might seem obvious but the team that shoots a higher percentage wins more times than they lose and a bad shot is essentially a turnover if the defending team secure the rebound which not only means that your team did not score but the opposing team has the opportunity to counter attack potentially before your teams defense is set and ready.

Great shooters are made in the gymnasium and no one is born a great shooter, all great shooters spent hours upon hours fine tuning and practice their shooting to get as good as they are. Anyone can become a better shooter through repetition, tweaking form, adopting the correct mindset and dedication. The truly great shooters are a rare commodity in basketball and as such they are highly coveted and sought out by teams for their services.

There is no instant success to becoming a great shooter and shooting habits must be refined and developed over time. Dr. James Naismith who was the inventor of basketball said that “Basketball is a game thats easy to play but difficult to master” and this is true for many things in basketball and life in general. You only get out what you put in and with dedication, perseverance and a willingness to work hard you too can become a great shooter. The following tips will help you improve your shooting ability.

Shooting Stance

The foundation of any good shot is the stance of the player taking it, ideally a player will want to have the exact same stance for every shot they take so they stay on balance and minimalise the variables that effect a shots trajectory. A good stance for shooting is standing so shoulders are square to the basket with feet about about shoulder width’s distance apart from each other. If you are a right handed shoot you will want your right foot slightly forward of the left foot and vice versa if you are a left handed shooter. This helps keep the body and more importantly the shooting arm lined up with the basket. Many people wrongly state that feet should be completely squared to the basket but this actually makes shooting more difficult and its much easier to have that dominant foot drift forwards a little bit. Knees should be slightly bent with your back leaning forwards a little bit to keep the body on balance. You will notice great shooters when waiting to receive the open pass do this instinctually so they waste as little time as possible from the catch to the shots release towards the basket.

Hand Positioning

Where you put your hands on a basketball as you shoot it also affects the trajectory of the shot. You should hold the basketball with your shooting hand behind the ball and the ball should be resting on your fingers without the palm touching the ball. The fingers are the most dextrous part of the hand and thus impart way more control on the ball than any other part of the hand and the palm being on the ball makes it more difficult to exert that control. The two middle fingers should be in the centre of the ball as they are the last point of contact with ther ball as you release and therefore affect the accuracy of the shot the most. The shooting arm elbow should also be tucked in perpendicular to the rim and not sticking out to reduce the variability of the shots arc towards the basket. The ball should be held slightly to the side of the face (left or right side depending on what arm is shooting the ball) this allows both eyes to focus on the target at the front of the rim. Then shoot the ball whilst keeping the elbow tucked in so the ball goes straight to the hoop and you want to push the ball upwards at about a 50 degree angle and snap your wrist towards the hoop on release to impart backspin on the ball and direct it to the rim. Keeping your eyes focused on the front of the rim also gives you a consistent target for your shooting arm to try and shoot the ball towards.

Visualisation

Nobody really talks about this but visualising the ball going in the hoop before you shoot actually helps you become a better shooter as well. This helps to keep a players confidence high which is one of the little talked about aspects of shooting. This is why many players go through shooting slumps or never get better at shooting, they can’t visualise the ball going into the hoop and thus don’t believe they are going to make the shot. The lack of belief or confidence in a players head can make them second guess their choice to shoot which then shakes their concentration and affects their shot form, power and accuracy.

Shot Selection

Improving your shot selection will also lead to higher percentages and effectiveness on the court. It’s well known that taking a shot with a defender all over you is a significantly harder shot than taking an open look. Just like how we mentioned with visualisation the shooting players confidence and concentration can be lowered when a defender is all over them contesting their shot. Contested shots also usually mean the shooter has to compromise their stance and footwork to get a shot up which often means they are off balance which increases the variability of where the shot will go when released. Shooting crazy shots is a sure fire way to miss a lot of shots and annoy your coach and teammates. No one wants to play with a ball hog. You should also practice the sort of shots you will be taking in game, if you’re role is to stand on the perimeter waiting for open looks it makes little sense to be spending your time practice off the dribble 30 footers as you won’t be using them in a game and you won’t be getting better at the shots that you do take.

Shoot The Ball On The Way Up

So many people say to shoot the ball once you are at the peak of your jump however this is bad advice, you want to be shooting the ball on the way up as this gives you the most efficient power and accuracy on your shot. If you always shoot at the top of your jump then your shot accuracy is going to be determined by how high you can jump and fatigue which can change throughout a game. Also shooting the ball at the very top of your jump means you have lost the upwards force of your jump which is meant to power your shot so you end up compensating by using your arms more for power or snapping the ball at the hoop which results in a sub optimal arc for the ball and a flat shot. By shooting the ball on the way up your shot is much more consistant everytime you take it and therefore easier to practice and maintain good percentages. This tip will also slightly speed up your shot release which will give you an edge when trying to take a shot when a defender is aggresively closing out to you and contesting. If you watch Steph Curry you will see that he basically never jumps as high as he can on his shots and never waits to be at the apex of his jump and he is far and away the best shooter the game of basketball has ever seen.

Moving Without The Ball

Good movement off the ball will also improve your percentages by getting you higher quality looks. You could utilise screens off the ball to shake your defender and give you the spacing and time needed to receive a pass and get up a quality shot. Sudden changes of direction and cuts can also lead you to better scoring opportunities as a defender is always reacting to what you the offensive player is doing and someone that is reacting is never as fast as the person that is initiating or doing. If you are a good shooter but struggling to make a shot in a game as well some well timed cuts could lead to open shots, layups or fouls which can improve the confidence of the shooter and stop them getting rattled by their previous misses. If a struggling shooter can sink some free throws for example and see the ball going through the hoop it helps them visualise the next shots as makes which can make a world of difference to the accuracy of the shot. With great shooters it only takes seeing the ball go in a couple times to get them in rythm.

FAQ

1. Q: How can I improve my shooting accuracy in basketball?

   A: You can improve shooting accuracy through consistent practice focusing on proper technique and form. Repetition and muscle memory are key.

2. Q: What are some common mistakes that hinder shooting performance?

   A: Common mistakes include poor footwork, improper hand placement, and lack of follow-through. Correcting these fundamentals can significantly improve shooting.

3. Q: Is it better to focus on quantity or quality when practicing shooting?

   A: It’s essential to strike a balance between quantity and quality. While repetition is important, ensure each shot is taken with proper form and concentration.

4. Q: How can I develop a quicker release?

   A: Practice shooting with a focus on quickening your release while maintaining accuracy. Start slowly and gradually increase speed as your muscle memory improves.

5. Q: What drills can I do to improve my shooting technique?

   A: Drills such as form shooting, spot shooting, and shooting off the dribble can help improve shooting technique and consistency.

6. Q: How important is mental focus in shooting?

   A: Mental focus is crucial in shooting. Visualization, concentration, and confidence play significant roles in shooting success.

7. Q: Should I focus on shooting from specific spots on the court?

   A: Yes, practicing shooting from various spots on the court helps develop versatility and adaptability in different game situations.

8. Q: How can I increase my shooting range?

   A: Gradually extend your shooting range during practice sessions while maintaining proper form. Strengthening your legs and core can also help increase shooting range.

9. Q: Is it necessary to have a consistent pre-shot routine?

   A: Yes, a consistent pre-shot routine helps establish rhythm and focus before shooting. Develop a routine that works for you and stick to it.

10. Q: How can I improve my free-throw shooting?

    A: Practice free throws regularly with focus on form and technique. Mental visualization and relaxation techniques can also help improve free-throw shooting.

11. Q: What role does balance play in shooting?

    A: Balance is essential for consistent shooting accuracy. Focus on maintaining proper balance throughout your shooting motion.

12. Q: Should I adjust my shooting technique based on defense?

    A: Yes, being able to adapt your shooting technique based on defensive pressure is important. Practice shooting under simulated defensive situations to improve adaptability.

13. Q: How can I overcome shooting slumps?

    A: Stay positive and focus on fundamentals during shooting slumps. Analyze your technique and address any issues that may be contributing to the slump.

14. Q: Is it beneficial to study and emulate the shooting techniques of professional players?

    A: Yes, studying the shooting techniques of successful players can provide valuable insights and ideas for improving your own shooting technique.

15. Q: How can I develop a consistent shooting rhythm?

    A: Practice shooting with a consistent pace and rhythm, focusing on smooth and fluid motion. Establishing a pre-shot routine can also help develop rhythm.

16. Q: What should I do if I lack confidence in my shooting abilities?

    A: Focus on the aspects of shooting that you excel at and build confidence gradually through practice and positive reinforcement.

17. Q: How important is it to receive feedback on my shooting technique?

    A: Feedback from coaches or experienced players can provide valuable insights into areas for improvement in your shooting technique.

18. Q: Should I practice shooting off the catch or off the dribble?

    A: Practice both catch-and-shoot and shooting off the dribble to develop versatility and adaptability in different game situations.

19. Q: How can I improve my shooting under pressure?

    A: Practice shooting drills that simulate game-like pressure situations. Mental visualization and relaxation techniques can also help improve shooting under pressure.

20. Q: How long does it take to become a better shooter in basketball?

    A: Improvement in shooting skills varies from person to person and depends on factors such as dedication, practice frequency, and natural ability. Consistent practice and focus on fundamentals are key to continuous improvement.