How to Have a Good Jump Shot

Practice can help basketball players develop a good jump shot.

If you are a basketball player, there are many reasons why you would want to have a good jump shot. A jump shot allows you to have a vertical advantage over your opponent, which makes it much harder for them to block your shot than when you shoot without jumping. The rim is also closer to eye-level when you shoot a jumper, which improves your chances of making the basket, as noted by the Web site Youth Basketball Tips.

Instructions

1. Stand in a position that will allow your body to have good balance and stability as you get ready to shoot your jump shot. If you are leaning to the left or to the right, it can easily affect the accuracy of your shot. The Web site Made Man, in analyzing NBA All-Star Allen Iverson's shot, recommends that your feet should be about shoulder-width apart. Having your feet placed too closely together will not give you the proper balance you need to have a good jump shot.

2. Hold the ball firmly with it out a little bit from your chest. Your grip on the ball is important because you don't want it to slip out of your hand when you attempt your shot. Made Man points out Iverson likes to have the hand he's not shooting with on the side of the ball and the shooting hand under the ball. He also spreads his fingers when holding the ball, as this provides an added level of grip during the jump shot.

3. Focus on having your knees bent when you jump up to take the shot. If you fail to bend your knees enough, you will not be able to get the powerful leap that a good jump shooter needs. Bending your knees before taking your jump allows you to get high enough in the air to shoot the ball effectively. You can perform exercises such as squats or jumping jacks which will help you jump higher. Being able to jump higher also helps you avoid getting your shot blocked by defenders.

4. Wait until reaching the highest point of your jump before releasing the ball. The benefits of a jump shot can be lost if a player releases the ball at the wrong time. For example, if the ball is released on the way down from the jump, the ball will travel a shorter distance because of player's downward momentum. A proper release will be at the height of the jump and lead to the ball flowing gently off the player's fingers, according to the Web site Basketball Central.

References

• Youth Basketball Tips: How to shoot a jump shot
• Basketball Central: How to Develop a Better Jump Shot
• MadeMan: 5 Allen Iverson Jump Shot Tips