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How To Shoot A Basketball Better

By: Sean Jackson

Break Studios Contributing Writer

Learning how to shoot a basketball better requires the athlete to analyze their shot. This improvement takes many attempts and a good amount of practice. For those interested in improving their shot, here are several tips to keep in mind.

  1. Take inventory of a number of shots. Try shooting 10 jump shots. How many of them do you make? Take notice of the ones you miss. Are they short? Off to the side? Does it hit the backboard? Much is determined from analyzing your shooting tendencies.
  2. After analyzing, it’s time to get back to the basics. Make sure your feet are shoulder length apart with your lead foot’s ankle in line with the toes of your other foot. The lead foot is the right foot for a right-handed shooter and the left for a left-handed shooter.
  3. Bend your knees before taking a shot. Your legs should provide the power for your shot.
  4. The shooting hand should have its fingers spread apart on the ball. This allows for better grip and more control of the shot. It’s important that only the fingertips are touching the ball. This allows more flexibility for the shot.
  5. The other hand should touch the ball on the side. Your technique is correct when it forms a ninety-degree angle between your armpits, elbow and wrist.
  6. When shooting, make sure to start with your base. Allow your knees to carry your momentum up. At this time, extend your forearm of your shooting hand and snap your wrist. Allow the wrist movement to follow through after the ball is released.
  7. Continue to practice these basics. While it may take awhile to adjust your shot, it is well worth it. The more practice you are able to put in, the better your shot will be.
Posted on: Aug. 19, 2010