How to Shoot the Basketball Correctly
Shooting a basketball correctly is not nearly as easy as it looks. While it's true that each person has his or her own personal way to shoot, there are steps that can be taken to improve your shot. Here is how to shoot the basketball correctly.
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Instructions
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Hold the basketball with your weak hand at the side of the basketball and your strong hand on the bottom and slightly off to the side. For example, a right handed shooter should place his left hand to the left side of the basketball and his ride hand to the bottom right portion of the ball. The strong arm should be close to or in a right angle when holding the ball. Also, your strong hand should hold the ball more with your fingers than your palm. There should be a little bit of space between your palm and the basketball.
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Point both feet in the direction of the hoop. Be sure to keep the feet pointed towards the hoop at all times, both before and after leaping.
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Leap straight up into the hair while holding the basketball. Many shooters will leap as high as they can while others prefer a shorter jump. Tinker with yours until you find what works best for you.
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As you jump into the air, pull your strong arm back into roughly a 45-degree angle. Then, extend your shooting arm towards the hoop and release the ball right as your arm fully extends.
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When the ball is leaving your shooting hand, flip your wrist all the way down so that your four fingers point towards the ground as the ball leaves your hand. This is known as “following through.” It's important to follow through every time you shoot.
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Tips & Warnings
It may be wise to work on your shooting motion without leaping until you are comfortable with the placement of your hands and arms.
