How to Increase Basketball Shooting Percentages

Basketball shooting accuracy relies on proper form and practice

Learning proper shooting fundamentals is the first step to improving your accuracy in basketball. So is practicing good form. As legendary coach Bob Knight said, "The will to succeed is important, but what's more important is the will to prepare." Preparation is key to improving your basketball shooting accuracy.

Things You'll Need

• Basketball
• Basketball goal

Instructions

Establishing proper form

1. Practice proper shooting fundamentals for a set shot, such as foot placement and arm angles. Many of these techniques are outlined on the Coach's Clipboard website. Hold the ball with both hands, but shoot from your dominant hand. Bend your knees and push forward with your shot, letting the ball roll off your fingertips. Aim for the same spot on the basket each time.

2. Shoot constantly at the same basket from the same distance, such as the free throw line, paying close attention to form. When you've mastered your current distance, increase the distance by half a foot and start over. Consistently shooting in the proper form helps create "muscle memory", according to Advantage Basketball.

3. Look for "hot spots" on the floor where you will most likely shoot from during a game and practice shooting from them. Hot spots may be different for every person because of variables such as athletic ability, height and offensive scheme.

4. Improve athletic ability and endurance so that your shooting accuracy doesn't taper from lack of energy or muscle fatigue. Consider drills that improve leg strength, which is needed to propel the ball, and quickness so you can reach your hot spots faster.

5. Practice different shots such as jump shots and fade-aways once you've established good muscle memory for the set shot. These variations, which can be helpful against tough defenses, are easier to learn once your basic shooting form is mastered.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider videotaping yourself as you shoot. Study your form on tape to see where you can improve.

• Have a friend read the proper form to you as you practice. Ask him to defend against you once you think you've mastered your form.

References

• Bob Knight Quotes
• Shooting Form
• Muscle Memory