Shooting

Shooting Skills for a Set Shot

Excerpt from www.youth-basketball-tips.com

The basic basketball shot is simple and beautiful. Everyone shoots the basketball differently. Yet, there is a general procedure that all good basketball shooters more or less follow.

  • Half-bend your knees before shooting for more potential power
  • Your dominant hand should have its fingers spread out
  • Only the fingertips should grip the ball
  • Your other hand should support the ball on the side
  • The ball should be brought above the head in one motion
  • At this point, the angle at your armpit, elbow, and wrist is at 90 degrees

Make sure you follow through with your wrist movement. If it feels natural to jump upon release, do so.

In sum, you are shooting a basketball with the kinetic energy transferred from your legs to your hands. The most optimal case is that the snap of the wrist only directs the basketball and adds backspin to it. You should shoot the basketball as naturally as possible. In the event that the power from your legs is not enough to shoot the basketball, (for example, you are doing a fade-away and a portion of the leg power is directed towards the back) you are forced to use your wrist in a controlled manner. In particular, do not forcefully use your wrist or jerk your wrist for extra power. This will greatly reduce your shot accuracy.

Tapping into your wrist power while maintaining control and flexibility is a very difficult thing. You really need to invest time into beefing up your wrist.

Tips on perfecting the basketball Set Shot

  • Always keep track of the distance between you and the hoop
  • Tuck your elbows inward towards each other when shooting
  • Shoot the basketball at an arc. It increases accuracy
  • Aim at the part inside the rim farthest from your standpoint
  • Use screens and offensive-plays to get open
  • Square up your shooting hand with the basketball hoop
  • Grip the basketball tightly with only your thumb and little finger
  • Aim with your index finger or middle finger only
  • Never hesitate due to the fear of a block shot.