Proper Shot Mechanics

Form is so important when shooting a basketball.  The best basketball players spend hours in the gym shooting baskets over and over again always with proper form in mind.  As a matter of fact, form is so important that if you don't work on it until it becomes second nature you may never be a good shooter regardless of how many hours you spend practicing.


In today's basketball when all we see is Steph Curry hitting 30 foot bombs everyone thinks that you're not cool unless you shoot from distance.  All of that is nonsense and can hurt a young players development.  The key for young players is to shoot the ball from a distance that isn't going to disrupt your form.  If you sacrifice form for distance you will never be a consistent shooter.


There are 4 keys elements to shooting:
  1. Base
  2. Shot Pocket
  3. Eyes
  4. Release/Follow Thru
Base-There are some important things to remember in terms of footwork when shooting the ball:
  • Line up your feet a short distance apart from each other.  This is usually a little less than shoulder width apart.
  • Your shooting foot (right foot if right handed/left foot if left handed) should be slightly forward (about half a step).  
  • Your feet don't necessarily have to be pointing to the basket.  They can be pointing a bit off center (left if you're right handed or right if you're left handed).  By doing this you help get you're shooting foot, shooting hand, shooting elbow, and shooting shoulder all aligned and pointing straight to the basket.
  • Knees should be bent about 45 degrees
  • Shoulders should be square to the basket.
  • Shoulders should be over the feet, with your chest leaning slightly forward allowing you to get a bit of a hip flex.
  • Heals should not be touching the floor.
Shot Pocket – The Pocket is where the ball is going to be placed before you start your shooting          motion.  Here are some important points to remember:
  • The best place to start is with the ball around the waist height and slightly favoring the same side of your body as your shooting hand.  The ball can start from even lower if that is comfortable for you.
  • The important thing to remember when shooting the ball is to make sure that the elbow is close to the body and facing the basket.  This is why lining up the feet pointing a bit to the side is an advantage because it seems to help with elbow/shoulder alignment.  Where the elbow is pointing is where your shot is going to go.  It should be noted that although the elbow needs to be tucked in it should be tucked in only to the point where it is comfortable.  Do not over exaggerate the tuck.  Shooting needs to be a natural motion in order to be successful.
  • Learn how to get the L-shape on your shooting arm when the ball is in the pocket.
  • Shooting hand should be behind the ball and the wrist flexed backwards.
  • Fingers should be spread out comfortably.  When your hand is under the ball then the ball should balance in one hand.
  • Palm of your hand should not be on the ball.


Eyes-Locating the basket as quickly as possible is important.  The quicker you can find the basket the better your chances of making the shot.  This is another reason why it is so important to play with your head up. 

Follow thru – Here are some important items to keep in mind:
  • Bend your legs from the proper base position.
  • The trick to good power in your shot is to time the release of your shot to be at the exact same time that your feet begin to leave the floor.
  • When you shoot a jump shot you should land a little bit in front of where you initially took the shot.  This allows for your momentum to be towards the basket making the shot easier to make.
  • Flicking the wrist to release the ball is so important.
    • The follow thru should be high with your shooting arm almost completely upright after the shot is released.
    • The wrist should be flexed completely forward and should be facing the basket.
    • Practice flicking the wrist as if you’re shooting a ball.
  • If the ball is shot properly there will always be a nice backspin on it as it is heading towards the basket.
So there you have it.  Keep the above mentioned mechanics in mind and you can improve your shot.  Remember one thing, however, repetition is key.  The more you practice the more you will commit things to muscle memory.  Another thing to  keep in mind, is that every shot is different.  Every shooter has their comfort zone.  If you look at Steph Curry and compare his form to Klay Thompson or James Harden you will see differences in their mechanics and yet all 3 are great shooters.  To take it a step further, look at freshman phenom Lonzo Ball.  At first glance you will say that his mechanics are all wrong but the results are effective.  Use the above information as suggestions and not as rules.  Find what works for you.


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