How To Shoot In Basketball

When you get tired of always getting picked last for basketball teams, don't stop playing the game you love, just return to the basics and relearn how to shoot in basketball. Since the hoop is only twice as wide as the basketball, and you have to shoot from up to thirty feet away at times, without the proper form, your shot is more likely to sail wide than go in. Some players can instinctively teach themselves to shoot the ball with a poor form, but for the rest of us, the only way to get respect on the court is to follow the proper procedures.

1. Widen the fingers of your dominant hand and place it behind the basketball. Don't let the palm of your hand rest on the ball; try to hold the ball with just your fingertips.
2. Bring your other hand to the side of the ball. This is for stability while you wind up the shot.
3. Bend your knees slightly and bring the ball up above your head. Your shoulder, elbow and wrist of your shooting hand should be angled at about 90 degrees.
4. Straighten your legs and jump off the ground. Try to jump up as straight as possible.
5. Extend your forearm and snap your wrist at the top of your jump. Don't force the shot with your wrist, just flip it forward naturally. The power in the shot should come from your jump and your forearm extension. As you begin to extend your forearm, move your support hand away from the side of the ball; otherwise, the ball will float off target.
6. Practice shooting the ball to learn how to vary the power of your shot. In order to get the ball into the basket, you have to shoot it just hard enough. Having a good form will get the ball going straight, but only practice will teach you how hard to shoot it.