How to Shoot Basketballs

Every professional and amateur basketball player has his or her own shooting motion. If you are new to the game of basketball or you simply want to improve your shooting percentage, there are certain principles that should be followed while shooting the ball. These principles help to position the shooter's body correctly and ensure that you release the basketball at the proper time. Knowing the right shooting techniques will also add the proper arc and rotation to your shot.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Position your hands correctly on the basketball. Your weak hand (non-writing hand) should be at the side of the basketball. Then, put your strong hand, your shooting hand, on the opposite side of the ball. Once you've done this, lower your shooting hand about two inches so that it is slightly underneath the basketball.

2. Arch the fingers on your shooting hand slightly so that you are holding the basketball mostly with the tips of your fingers. There should be enough room between the palm of your hand and the ball to place a finger in that space.

3. Point your feet in a straight line to the basketball hoop. Keep your feet pointed toward the basket during your entire shooting motion.

4. Jump straight up into the air to begin your shooting motion. Some shooters prefer to leap as high as possible while others like to utilize a short hop. Practice with different jumps until you find the right height for you.

5. Pull your shooting arm back to a 45 degree angle as you jump into the air. The arm should be fully pulled back as you reach the apex of your jump.

6. Extend your shooting arm directly toward the hoop as you hit the maximum height of your leap. The ball should leave your shooting hand right as your arm finishes extending toward the hoop.

7. Flip your wrist downward as the basketball leaves your hand. Each of your four fingers should be pointing toward the ground. This motion is known as a "follow through" and should be done each time you shoot a basketball.

Tips & Warnings

• Weaker shooters, such as children, may need to release the basketball while leaping up in the air (rather than doing so at the highest point of the jump). Doing so will add the necessary power to the shot to get the basketball to the hoop.

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[patysson]

on 8/8/2009 wow you must be a coach or something