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Step 1
Find a basketball hoop that has a noticeable square on the backboard. There are some backboards that have no squares, but to practice and perfect your bank shot, you'll need a backboard with a square. Also make sure that the basketball you are using is properly inflated. If the basketball is overinflated or underinflated, it can alter the bounce off the backboard. If you want to buy a backboard or even a basketball, a good website to order basketball equipment is the Eastbay website. You can also contact Eastbay by phone toll-free at (800) 826-2205.
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Step 2
Grab a basketball and stand approximately five feet away from the basket at a 45 degree angle. This is where you'll begin your practice of bank shots. Don't start too far away from the basket, but you want to be far enough away that you can see the square on the backboard.
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Step 3
Position yourself so that you are aligned with the backboard instead of the rim. One common mistake for someone learning how to shoot a bank shot is standing exactly how they'd stand when shooting a regular shot. Square up your shoulders so that you have a clear view of the backboard.
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Step 4
Aim at the square when shooting the ball. You don't want to aim for the middle of the square when you are on a 45 degree angle. Instead, you want to aim for just inside the corner of the square on the side of the square closest to you. You also want to aim for the top half of the square rather than the bottom half. Shoot with a soft touch so that the ball will fall into the hoop.
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Step 5
Practice until you find the exact spot on the backboard to aim at. Once you master the bank shot from one position, you can move all over the court to practice bank shots from different spots on the court.
