Jump Shot Tutorial

Here's a jump shot tutorial that will show you the steps in performing the shot. The jump shot has become one of the most important shots in basketball. Every guard will need to know how to shoot a jump shot and if you are a forward or a center and you shoot a fundamentally sound jump shot, you can become more valuable to your team and your playing minutes will rise.

1. Pick a spot. You want to find a place where you feel comfortable. A good place to start is at the top of the key to right or the left of the foul line. These are high percentage areas and a place that you will find opportunities to shoot a jump shot during game play.
2. Square up. You will want to square your body to the hoop.
3. Get into position. This means have your knees bent and shoulder-length apart. You want to have your shooting hand underneath the ball and your other hand guiding the ball on the side with your thumb pointing at you. Keep your hands and the ball close to your body. This position will not only set you up for the jump shot ,but will also allow you to pass or put the ball down to dribble (if you caught the ball off a pass).
4. Jump. You want to jump so that when you land you are in the same position you started. You also want to keep your legs together as you shoot.
5. Release. You want to release the ball just as you are reaching the top of your jump. Your shooting hand will push the ball as you release the shot; the ball should roll off your pointer finger last. Your shooting hand will also follow the path of the ball. Your other hand will stay at rest during this step.

Things to remember:

 Even the best shooters only hit around 40 percent of their shots. You will want to practice this shot over and over and keep challenging yourself so that your range of where you can take the shot will grow. In games, do not force your jump shot. You want to make smart choices when to shoot. Shoot in places where you feel comfortable and you have space to execute your jump shot. Remember to always keep good fundamentals in mind when you are taking a jump shot. The biggest thing to have confidence in your jump shot if you have missed the last ten jump shots is not abandon it. Instead, tell yourself this next shot is going in.