How to Become a Better Basketball Shooter

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If your goal is to play basketball on a team in high school, college, or even at a professional level, then becoming a better shooter is essential. The better you are at making shots, the better your chances of getting in the game. Regular, frequent practices can help you to improve your basketball shooting skills. There are different practice techniques that you can use to improve your shot accuracy, such as by practicing perfect form and running drills.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Practicing Perfect Form

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Become a Better Basketball Shooter
    Catching the ball in a shot-ready (or athletic) position is a good way to improve your form. By being ready to shoot the ball when you catch it, rather than getting ready to shoot the ball after you catch it, you can improve the speed and accuracy of your shots. [1]
    • To get into a shot ready position, bend your knees slightly and hinge your body forward at the hips. You should look as if you are getting ready to jump in the air. This will provide you with some extra power when you make your shot.
    • Having good form and being confident are the most important things you can do to improve your shot percentage. [2]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Become a Better Basketball Shooter
    Your shot pocket is the position where you shoot the ball from and this is different for everyone. Try to identify the most comfortable shot pocket position for you and stick with that position. [3]
    • For example, you might feel most comfortable shooting from the center of your forehead, to the right of your head, or slightly above your head.
    • Keep in mind that you don’t need to have the same shot pocket that other players do. Focus on what seems to work best for you.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Become a Better Basketball Shooter
    The position of your arm, hand, and head can also influence the accuracy of your shots. Your shooting arm and hand should form a “C” shape when you are getting ready to shoot the ball. You can check yourself in a mirror or have a friend check you from the side. [4]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Become a Better Basketball Shooter
    When you shoot the ball, make sure that you follow through with your shot by snapping your elbow. Then, hold the position until the ball makes contact with the hoop and/or net. Following through and holding after you shoot the ball will help to improve your shot accuracy. [6]
    • Follow through with your body as well. Begin your shot in an athletic position, then spring up off of the floor as you shoot the ball. [7] Keep your body in this extended position after you make the shot.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Running Elbow to Elbow Drills

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Become a Better Basketball Shooter
    To do an elbow drill, you will need to start by making shots standing on one foot. Standing on one foot will help to improve your balance and it will increase the difficulty of your shots as well. Start by standing near the foul line and making a shot standing on one foot. [8]
    • You can stand on your left or right leg to start, but make sure that you switch legs halfway through your drill. Don’t just practice making shots on one leg.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Become a Better Basketball Shooter
    Standing on one foot should add enough of a challenge to start things off, so use both hands to make your shots when you first start doing elbow drills. [9] Make sure that you keep your elbows in and point your fingers towards the center of the hoop as you make your shots.
    • Also, remember to find your shot pocket, create a “C” shape, and follow through after you shoot.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Become a Better Basketball Shooter
    Shooting in one position may help you to master shooting from that spot, but it is a good idea to practice shooting from varied positions. Try to cycle through some different shooting positions to challenge yourself in different ways. [10]
    • For example, you could start out at the foul line, then move in and to the left of the hoop, then move to the right of the hoop, and then repeat the cycle.
    Stephen Curry, Professional Basketball Player

    Work hard to develop your shooting skills. "Shooting the ball is a part of the game. Everybody can shoot in their own way. Not everybody can make. But everybody can shoot."

  4. Watermark wikiHow to Become a Better Basketball Shooter
    Move onto one-handed shots when you feel ready to increase the difficulty of your drills. Make sure that you use good form like you did with your two-handed shots. You may need to go slower until you perfect your form for one-handed shots. [11]
    • If your form is really suffering as a result of switching to one-handed shots, then you can always return to two-handed shots.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I improve my shooting percentage?
    Ryan Tremblay
    Basketball Coach
    Ryan Tremblay is a Basketball Coach and the Owner of National Sports ID and STACK Basketball. With over 30 years of experience, Ryan specializes in basketball coaching, social media marketing, and website design. Ryan created the National Sports ID as a platform to verify the age/grade of youth athletes and STACK Basketball to inspire young athletes to grow into mature individuals and basketball players. Ryan was a First Team All-Decade basketball player in Bergen County and finished in the top 20 all-time leading scorers in the county’s history with 1,730 points. He went on to Caldwell University on a basketball scholarship where he was part of three championship teams. Ryan was a two-time All-Metropolitan, All-State, and All-Conference point guard and the all-time three-point leader in the school’s history, landing him in the Caldwell University Athletic Hall of Fame.
    Ryan Tremblay
    Basketball Coach
    Expert Answer
    You have to figure out the proper mechanics, fundamentals, and form. Do them over and over until they become a habit. Then, when you're doing it, you'll be able to tell when you have it perfect.
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    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 13
  • Question
    What is the perfect basketball shooting form look like?
    Ryan Tremblay
    Basketball Coach
    Ryan Tremblay is a Basketball Coach and the Owner of National Sports ID and STACK Basketball. With over 30 years of experience, Ryan specializes in basketball coaching, social media marketing, and website design. Ryan created the National Sports ID as a platform to verify the age/grade of youth athletes and STACK Basketball to inspire young athletes to grow into mature individuals and basketball players. Ryan was a First Team All-Decade basketball player in Bergen County and finished in the top 20 all-time leading scorers in the county’s history with 1,730 points. He went on to Caldwell University on a basketball scholarship where he was part of three championship teams. Ryan was a two-time All-Metropolitan, All-State, and All-Conference point guard and the all-time three-point leader in the school’s history, landing him in the Caldwell University Athletic Hall of Fame.
    Ryan Tremblay
    Basketball Coach
    Expert Answer
    Not everyone's shot will look exactly the same, but the best shooters do have similar characteristics. They shoot the ball over their nose, keep their elbows and knees bent, follow through, and get off the floor when they jump.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 17
  • Question
    How do I become a better free throw shooter?
    Community Answer
    First relax. If you have a routine, then do the routine. After you do that, take a deep breath. Next, your free throw position should be the same position as your jumper. Then relax, bend your knees, and shoot. Follow through on every free throw you take. Make sure it has the same arc as your jumper.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Build shooting confidence gradually. Start close to the basket and work outward over time. Extend your range only when your current distance feels solid.
      • Don't be discouraged by physical mistakes — basketball is meant to be fun, not perfect. Focus on the mental game and physical skills will follow.
      • Train your non-dominant hand as well through dribbling drills and shooting practice. Having ambidextrous skills will make you harder to defend.
      • Analyze video of your shots to identify areas for improvement. Count makes vs. misses and check your form. Make small tweaks as needed.
      • Add backspin for better arc and accuracy. The softer landing increases swish probability. Mastering spin takes practice but pays off.
      • Chase down your own rebounds to immediately attempt the shot again. Quick repetition reinforces skills.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H8c3hQ4rU0&nohtml5=False
      2. ↑ Ryan Tremblay. Basketball Coach. Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H8c3hQ4rU0&nohtml5=False
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H8c3hQ4rU0&nohtml5=False
      5. ↑ Ryan Tremblay. Basketball Coach. Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.
      6. ↑ Ryan Tremblay. Basketball Coach. Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.
      7. ↑ Ryan Tremblay. Basketball Coach. Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndpqW-7H2sY&nohtml5=False
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndpqW-7H2sY&nohtml5=False
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndpqW-7H2sY&nohtml5=False
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndpqW-7H2sY&nohtml5=False
      3. Videos provided by ILoveBasketballTV

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To become a better basketball shooter, try shooting from the center of your forehead, looking straight at the rim, and positioning your shooting arm and hand so they form a “C” shape. When you shoot, follow through with your shot by extending and locking your elbow and snapping your wrist, then hold this position until the ball hits the net. As you catch the ball, catch in a shot-ready position by bending your knees and positioning your hips forward to prepare to shoot again. For more advice, like how to run elbow to elbow drills to improve accuracy, read on!

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