(also, see shooting section of Individual Workout)
Remember these steps:
1)
Footing: a) Line up your right foot with the center of the basket. (If you are
on the foul line, look for a tiny mark on the line that marks the center. If
there isn’t one, get a tape measure, find the center, and make the mark with a
pen or scrape it in with a pin.).
b) Square up to the basket, feet should be shoulder width apart. Stand so that you are comfortable and are able to jump up.
2)
Ball: a) Find the air hole on the ball. Put your shooting finger (either your
right middle finger or pointer finger) on it. Then, trace your finger down to
the seam on the ball, and put your right middle or pointer finger on that. This
is to ensure spin.
b) Place your left hand on the left side of the ball. The thumb of your left hand & the thumb of your right hand should not be touching, but if they were, they would be forming the letter: T
c) Your right palm should not be touching the ball. You should be holding the ball in your right hand with the tips of your fingers. In other words, there should be space between the ball and your palm.
3)
Legs and Arms: Bend your legs and your right arm. Start low, with
your elbow almost touching your leg. Then, move to an upright position with your
back straight.
4)
Release: Push up with your legs and your arms, launching the ball at the basket.
Another way of thinking of this is, “L-Bend-Extend” Your right arm should
look like the letter “L”, then you “Bend” it, and lastly, you
“Extend” it up. Don’t forget to flick your wrists and allow the ball to
roll off your fingertips.
**When you practice all of this, you can go slowly. Your goal is to speed it up, but this takes time, patience, and practice.
5)
Arc: Don’t forget to arc the ball! Remember, the rim is twice the size of
the basketball, if the ball falls into the rim from above, there’s a better
chance of it going in, even if it’s slightly off.
6)
Aim: Some people look at the front of the rim, some people in the exact
middle, others look to the back of the rim. You need to decide what is easiest
and best for you. You should not be looking at the backboard. Your aim should be
for the ball to go through the basket without touching the rim or backboard,
“Swoosh.” The backboard was originally designed and added in 1894 to keep
spectators from interfering with shots that were heading toward the basket, it
is unnecessary and unhelpful to aim for it or hit it while you’re shooting
from somewhere on the floor. Originally, the basket was just that: a basket
without a backboard. (This does not count for layups or post moves, many of
those require the use of the backboard.)
7)
Position: For a jump shot: the ball should be held about 4 inches in front of
your face and 4 inches above your head.
8)
Follow-through: Keep your shooting arm up and your middle or
pointer finger pointed towards the basket until the ball hits the ground. Look
at your hand: if it the ball went in correctly, then it was on target. If it
didn’t, look at where your hand was pointed and use that to decide why it
didn’t go in. If your shot was too short, it didn’t reach the basket, bend
more with your legs.