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Shooting

Everybody who plays basketball wants to be a shooter. Not everybody wants to put in the work it takes to get there. There’s no shortage of theories and gadgets available to help you become a shooter. You can choose to sort through all the acronyms and unique terminology trying to find the approach that’s right for you but in the end becoming a good shooter comes down to establishing sound fundamental technique and practicing with purpose – focusing on performing the techniques consistently and racking up lots of good repetitions. Contrary to the popular theory claiming that mastery is achieved by performing 10,000 repetitions, 500 repetitions performed well is more beneficial than 10,000 repetitions performed inconsistently. The difference is not the quantity but the quality of the repetitions.


We’ll try to keep our thoughts on shooting simple. Most experts agree that accurate shooting is influenced by aligning the body with the target. The ball will go where the body directs it to go. If your elbow and wrist point to the target the ball will be directed to the target. If your wrist turns to the right on the release the ball will go to the right. Pretty simple right? Unfortunately getting your mind and body in sync is not as easy as it sounds. That’s where the repetitions come in. Executing the shot correctly over and over again trains the mind and the body to sync up. This is what some call “muscle memory”. If the repetitions are performed inconsistently the results will also be inconsistent.


While the position of the elbow and wrist are essential to shooting technique, effective shooting is heavily influenced by proper footwork and a balanced position. The proper footwork will get your feet and shoulders square to the target. The legs provide the power for the shot. Knees are over (not beyond) the toes and the shoulders are over (not beyond) the knees. The shooter’s eyes are focused on the center of the rim. This spot obviously changes as you move around the court and shoot from different court positions. One method suggests using the clips that connect the net to the rim as a way to focus on the center. Accuracy is significantly affected by rim focus – the sooner the eyes are focused on the target, and the longer the eyes are focused on the target, the greater the chance of making the shot.


If facing the basket on the catch or the pull up, the shooter uses a 1:2 step or a jump stop to establish their base. The 1:2 step involves stepping with one foot towards the target then bringing the other foot up next to the lead foot. The spacing between the feet differs for each player, but should allow for balance on the catch or pull up. If facing away from the basket (as when cutting from the wing or from the baseline) the shooter uses an inside foot square up to bring the body square to the target. The inside foot is the foot nearest the basket. If cutting from the left wing to the lane the inside foot is the left foot. As the player sees the pass she steps at the ball with the inside foot, long and low. On the catch she pivots on the inside foot and pulls herself square to the basket.

                                                                                 

Correct shooting technique requires the shooter to snap the ball into position off the catch or the dribble. The elbow starts at 90° from the torso and points to the target. The lower arm (triceps) is at 90° to the upper arm (bicep). The wrist is relaxed and behind the ball. The ball rests on the fingers, not just the finger tips. The shooting motion begins with the legs. The shooter is low, knees bent, hips down. The shooting motion should be an uninterrupted flow, from the legs through the finish – no hesitation. The shooter wants to catch the pass (or pull up off the dribble) in a down position – similar to sitting in a chair. This is more efficient than catching the pass (or pulling up) and then getting down, engaging the legs*. On the catch or pull up the shooter squares up, facing the basket. On the shot the shooter keeps the elbow under the ball until the elbow is at eye level, then finishes by extending the arm to its maximum reach. A release angle of 55 – 65° is optimal (a lower release means a flatter shot; a higher release can cause the shot to float with less control). The wrist snaps (dropping the wrist), directing the ball towards the target, with the fingers finishing down, creating backspin / rotation. Basketball research tells us that raising up quickly contributes to shot accuracy. Conversely, a slower raise up leads to less shot accuracy.


*The concept of shot power coming from the legs can be misleading. Power for the shot does not come from jumping high or strong on the shot. Some of the world’s best shooters, like Steph Curry, elevate only a few inches off the ground on the shot. Power comes from the momentum created in the uninterrupted motion that starts with the legs (toes, ankles, calves, knees, quads, hamstrings, hips) through the body to the release and follow through on the shot. When in total sync the ball is at the shot set point as the legs lock out and the toes come off the ground. The ball is released at the height of the jump, before the body descends.

                                    

5 SHOT KILLERS

Twister – jump in the air, turning your shoulders / feet. CORRECTION: practice shooting while squeezing a ball between the knees as you jump to shoot – max 12 feet away.

Broken Elbow – the elbow is all over the place, but not pointing to the target. You want the hand and elbow under the ball prior to release.

2 Hand Shot / Thumbing – guide hand is in the way. CORRECTION: squeeze a quarter between the guide hand’s thumb and forefinger.

Changing Shot Pocket – changing the shot pocket when shooting from distance. To improve your range, maintain smooth upper body mechanics while focusing on an uninterrupted motion from the feet through the body as noted above. 


Drills

Inside Foot Square Up
Shooting
Basic shot footwork when attacking from the wing
OVBA
Individual
Foundational
5 mins

Practice fundamental footwork for squaring up to the rim for a shot when not facing the rim.

Shadow Shooting
Shooting
Form shooting practice
Individual
Foundational
5 mins

Simple shooting form repetitions without a ball

Line Shooting
Shooting
Proper shot form
Learning to self-correct shooting flaws.
Individual
Foundational
5 mins

Practicing shot form with feedback for correction.

Progressive Shooting
Shooting
Maintaining your form as you shoot from farther away
Practicing shots within your range.
Individual
Foundational
5 mins

Practicing shooting form within your shooting range. Moving back into range as your form falls apart.

Chair Shooting
Shooting
Engaging the legs for shot power
Individual
Intermediate
10 mins

Focusing on engaging the hips and legs in the shot.

Get Down
Shooting
Engaging the legs
Continual motion - beginning to release of the shot
Hips down on the shot
Group
Foundational
5 mins

Practicing catching the ball in the down position, ready to shoot.

Nash Shooting
Shooting
Engaging the legs
Hips down on the shot
Steve Nash
Individual
Foundational
5 mins

Focusing on engaging the hips and legs on the shot.

Chair Shooting II– Follow Through (Sylvia Hatchel)
Shooting
Shot form
Follow through
Wrist snap
Individual
Foundational
10 mins

Emphasizing follow through and wrist snap (dropping the wrist).

Rainbow Shooting
Shooting
Basic inside foot square up
Tara Vanderveer
Curl cuts into a shot
Individual
Foundational
5 mins

Practicing an inside foot square up.

Shot Fakes
Shooting
Shot fakes
Individual
Foundational
5 mins

Practicing shot fakes.

Spot Shooting II
Shooting
Focus on inside foot shot footwork
Shot repetitions
Focus on 1:2 step shot footwork
Group
Foundational
5 mins

Practicing proper footwork on the shot.

Finishing – 21
Shooting
Finishing shots under pressure
Free throw practice
Physical play
Team
Foundational
10 mins

Practice free throws, hustling, and finishing with contact.

Alternating Elbow Shooting
Shooting
Inside foot shooting
Passing
Bob Hurley
Team
Intermediate
10 mins

Practicing shot footwork and elbow jump shots

Proper Shooting Form
Shooting
Shooting fundamentals – balance, eyes, elbow, follow through
Kristin Ronai
Foundational
5 mins

The video shows basic shooting form instruction. (video option)

Power For the Shot
Shooting
Shooting fundamentals – Power for the shot
Shot momentum
Collin Castellaw
Individual
Foundational
15 mins

Practice sequential momentum on the jump shot. (video option)

Shooting Without a Hoop
Shooting
Improving shooting technique without a basket
Individual
Foundational
15 mins

Practice shooting form and skills anywhere, without a basket. (video option)

Working On The 1:2 Step
Shooting
Shot footwork - the 1:2 step
Damon Altizer
Individual
Foundational
10 mins

Footwork for using a 1:2 step when shooting (facing the basket). (video option)

How to Make Layups
Shooting
Teaching points for making layups
Collin Castella
Individual
Foundational
10 mins

The video reviews basic steps for finishing layups. (video option)

Quarter Shooting Drill
Shooting
Guide hand focus on the pick up and release of the shot.
Eliminate "thumbing"
Splash Basketball
Individual
Foundational
10 mins

Fix guide hand problems like "thumbing" the ball with the guide hand . (video option)

5 Shooting Drills You Can Do By Yourself
Shooting
Stationary and Dynamic Shooting Drills
Damon Altizer
Individual
Foundational
15 mins

The video shows five shooting drills. (video option)

How to Stop Missing Layups
Shooting
More advanced techniques for making layups
Set the ball high in traffic
Reverse layups
Ryan Razooky
Individual
Foundational
10 mins

Practice advanced methods for making layups. (video option)

X-Layups
Shooting
Continuous one step layups
Group
Foundational
10 mins

Practice making layups from the left and the right side.

Make 28 Layups
Shooting
Various one step layups with either hand finishes.
Individual
Intermediate
10 mins

Practice making one step layups from multiple positions on the court and with either hand.

Little Shots
Shooting
Finishing in close quarters from different angles
Reverse layups.
Intermediate
10 mins

Practice making reverse layups from different angles under the basket.

Little Shot Finishes
Shooting
Finishing in close quarters from different angles in game like conditions.
Paige Bueckers
Individual
Intermediate
10 mins

Practice making little shots from the wings, baseline and center lane. (video option)

Contested Layup Drill
Shooting
Finishing under pressure
Taking a charge
Team
Intermediate
10 mins

Practice finishing under pressure and getting position to take a charge.

The Veer Finish Step
Shooting
Using the veer step to create space for the finish,
Finishing over taller defenders
Drew Hanlen
Group
Intermediate
10 mins

Practice using the veer step to gain position on the drive.

Power Dribble Layup
Shooting
Use of the jump stop in traffic.
Individual
Intermediate
10 mins

Practice driving to the basket and using a jump stop and finish.

Bradley Drill
Shooting
Keeping the ball high in the post
Conditioning
Finishing inside
Individual
Intermediate
10 mins

Practice keeping the ball high on the put back shot.

4 Chair – Layup
Shooting
Speed dribble
Defensive hustle and positioning
Finishing in transition.
Team
Intermediate
10 mins

Practice full court drives and finishes under pressure and hustling to defend a breakaway layup.

Full Court Layups – 4 Dribbles
Shooting
Rebounding, pivots, outlets
Efficient speed dribbles
Group
Intermediate
10 mins

Practice rebounding, pivots, outlet passes and efficient use of the speed dribble.

Car Wash
Shooting
Accepting contact
Finishing layups
Team
Intermediate
10 mins

Practice playing through contact and finishing strong.

Drop Step II
Shooting
Drop step fundamentals
Individual
Intermediate
10 mins

Practice using drop step move in the lane.

Floaters
Shooting
Floaters
Avoiding the charge
Damin Altizer
DJ Slackman
Phil Handy
Individual
Intermediate
10 mins

Practice shooting floaters. (video options-3)

10 Shooting Tips
Shooting
Shooting on balance
Footwork
Hand placement
Clean lift (no hitches)
Offhand placement
Elbow to the eyebrow
Wrist snap / follow through
Rhythm, engaging the core
Landing on balance
Confidence.
Drew Hanlen
Individual
Intermediate
10 mins

Drew Hanlen covers 10 basics re: shooting. (video)

How To Cure Inconsistent Shooting
Shooting
Identifying and fixing flaws in your shot.
Drew Hanlen
Individual
Intermediate
10 mins

Identifying and fixing flaws in your shot. (video option)

Quick Draw
Shooting
Quick release
Space recognition
Group
Intermediate
10 mins

Practice recognizing space and a quick shot release.

Quick to the Pocket
Shooting
Quick to the shot pocket
Dribble move
Individual
Intermediate
10 mins

Practice a dribble move and then bringing the ball quickly and cleanly into the shot pocket.

Pivot, Balance, & Shoot
Shooting
Balance
Quick to the shot pocket
Clean pick up
Quick release
Individual
Intermediate
10 mins

Practice a quick, clean pick up into the shot pocket.

Pound & Balance – Quick Release
Shooting
Quick to the shot pocket
Clean pick up
Quick release
Individual
Intermediate
10 mins

Practice improving a quick clean pick up on the shot.

(Russell) Westbrooks
Shooting
Target recognition
Quick shot release
Start in a down position
Individual
Intermediate
10 mins

Practice target recognition (eyes to the rim) and quick release of the shot.

EGT Shooting
Shooting
Curls and Pops
Shot Fakes
Shot footwork
Team
Intermediate
10 mins

Practice shooting off down screens - curls and pops.

Motion Progression
Shooting
Spacing
Basic motion play
Team
Intermediate
10 mins

Practice improvising a motion offense focusing on spacing and movement.

Hands Ready Med Ball Down
Shooting
Hands up and ready
Catching the ball
Focus
Group
Intermediate
10 mins

Practice being in a ready position, hands up ready to receive the shot and shoot.

Pick and Roll Shooting Drill
Shooting
Footwork
Setting up the pick and roll
Shots off the pick and roll
Team
Intermediate
10 mins

Practice setting up the pick and roll and shots off the read of the pick and roll.

Step Back Series
Shooting
Step back footwork
Shot repetitions
Collin Castellaw
Breakthrough Basketball
Individual
Intermediate
10 mins

Practice the footwork and balance of a step back jump shot. (video option)

Stop & Pop
Shooting
Shot footwork
Rip throughs
Dribble moves
Individual
Intermediate
10 mins

Practice a rip through into a 1:2 step and jump shot.

Slide Step Shooting
Shooting
Footwork
Shooting repetitions
Group
Intermediate
10 mins

Practice shooting while working on fundamental footwork.

Fake to Pressure, Go Opposite
Shooting
Conditioning
Maintaining good shooting while fatigued
Team
Intermediate
10 mins

Practice shooting, rebounding and conditioning.

2 Ball Shooting
Shooting
Shooting
Use of screens
Pick and pop
Team
Intermediate
10 mins

Practice using a down screen / pin down screen and squaring up to shoot.

Drag - Rocker Step
Shooting
Footwork
Shooting - defended drag step
Individual
Intermediate
10 mins

Practice executing the drag step and shooting off the move.

Penetration Post Shots
Shooting
Post positioning on the dribble drive
Team
Intermediate
10 mins

Post players practice moving to the correct location of the baseline or top down drive.

Paul Pierce
Shooting
Shooting
Conditioning
Reverse pivots, jabs
Individual
Intermediate
10 mins

Practice the Paul Pierce move using a reverse pivot , jab step into the square up and shot.

2 Player – 1 Ball Shooting
Shooting
Shooting
Following the shot
Anticipating shot trajectory
Group
Intermediate
10 mins

Practice tracking the shot trajectory, reacting to the ball, passing and shooting.

Killer Pull Up
Shooting
Pull up shooting
Step back
Quick release
Group
Advanced
10 mins

Practice stepping in to the defender and stepping back into a jump shot.

Range Extender
Shooting
Progressive practice , extending shot range.
Individual
Advanced
10 mins

Practice engaging the hips and legs to improve shooting range.

Cone Place Stop Cut Curl
Shooting
Separation on the curl cut
Individual
Advanced
10 mins

Practice getting low on the curl cut and other techniques for getting separation.

Elite Guard Finishing Drill
Shooting
Finishing through Contact
Jump Stop
Step Back
Shot Fake
Spin Move
Drew Hanlen
Group
Intermediate
10 mins

Practice finishing through contact with a jump stop, shot fake, spin move & step back..

5 Youth Shooting Drills
Shooting
Shooting Basics
Tyler Colston
Individual
Team
Group
Foundational
10 mins

Shooting drills for young players. (video option)

Teaching Young Players to Shoot
Shooting
Youth shooting
Tyler Colston
Individual
Team
Group
Foundational
10 mins

a SYSTEM FOR DEVLOPING YOUNG SHOOTERS. ( VIDEO OPTION)

Shot Fakes
Shooting
shot fakes
Collin Castella
Individual
Team
Group
Foundational
5 mins

Components of a good shot fake. (video option)

Guide (Off) Hand Placement
Shooting
Individual
Team
Group
Foundational
5 mins

Proper guide hanjd placement (video option)

3 Ways to Finish Through Contact
Shooting
finishing through contact
Championship Basketball
Team
Group
Intermediate
10 mins

3 TECHNIQUES FOR FINSIHING THROUGH CONTACT. (VIDEO OPTION)

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