How to Teach a Child to Shoot a Basketball

Shooting a Basketball takes practice. Here are some tips that will help when you are teaching young athletes to shoot a basketball. You just have to remember one acronym. B.E.E.F.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Basketball

1. Teach Balance (B)
   
   Every camp I have ever coached I have stressed balance when shooting. In fact, I always walk around the gym when the kids are in the ready position and give them a little nudge.
   
   If they wobble and move their feet, their balance needs work.
   
   Remember, feet shoulder width apart with the foot of the hand you shoot with slightly forward.
   
   Your shooting hand is behind the ball and your other hand is towards the side of the ball.
   
   Knees are slightly bent.
   
   That is balance!

2. Teach Eyes (E)
   
   You have to look at what you are shooting at.
   
   Some kids look at the front of the rim. Some look at the back. Some look at the middle. Where they look is not as important as fixing your eyes on that spot and leaving them there.
   
   This may seem simple and not that important but remember this. When coaching basketball shooting tell your players to focus on their target.
   
   You will thank me later.

3. Teach Elbow (E)
   
   Wow - the elbow.
   
   Some coaches will tell you that you need to keep your elbow in. Tell that to ex-Pacer Reggie Miller. His arms and elbows are everywhere when he shoots.
   
   Want to tell one of the greatest shooters in NBA history to tuck that elbow in?
   
   With the wrist cocked at a 90% angle, try to teach kids to keep that elbow under the ball. This creates a ball that can sit on the pads of the fingers even if the non-shooting hand is not present.

4. Teach Follow-Through (F)
   
   Follow Through! In my opinion this is the most important factor in shooting.
   
   Here is why I think that.
   
   Follow through will be used in every sport you will ever play in.
   
   Throwing a baseball around with a friend - follow through!
   
   Shoot a hockey puck. What does your stick do. It follows through.
   
   Throw a football and you will follow through.
   
   What does follow through look like when shooting a basketball. Well, your arm is extended and your wrist is bent forward. Almost like you are taking a cookie for a cookie jar that is sitting on the top shelf.

Tips & Warnings

• Now B.E.E.F. is a great way for coaching basketball shooting to kids but it is not the only way. I am sure that every coach has their own way or teaching shooting. Whatever method you use, remember this. A good shooter has done something that many fail to do. That is Practice, Practice, Practice.

Resources

• www.rtp-sportscamps.com

[CoachKerry]

on 11/21/2007 Great article, Coach. With this instruction at a young age, they will grow into great shooters.
For the kids that are 8 and younger, it works well to use a smaller ball (27.0 size)and lower the hoop..they are able to really focus on technique without having to hoist the ball up to the regulation height...they will grow into it.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge!