subject: How to shoot a basketball like the pros [print this page] Author: Martin O Flynn Author: Martin O Flynn
The main goal in any basketball game is to out score your competitionHowever unlike football where you have a relatively large target, the basketball hoop does not give much margin for error.This thus places a premium on accuracy, and good accuracy is a by product of solid technique.Critical to your success is the mastery of the fundamental technique.If you start out with the right technique and form, then with the right drills and plenty of practice you will become a ?thorn? in the opposition?s side.So lets work through the following steps which will give you the maximum chance of becoming a proficient shooter.Step #1 Flex Your Knees. This is a power move that stores energy in your body that will later transfer to the basketball. Visualize yourself standing in a brace position whereby you are expecting to receive a pass when stationary.This will lead you to naturally flex your knees and achieve a balanced position with your feet shoulder width apart.Step #2 Grip the ball with the fingers of your shooting handMany beginner have the palm of their hand on the ball this will destroy your shooting ability. You need to grip the ball with just the finger tips of your shooting hand. Your elbow should be positioned perpendicular to the ball.Step #3 Support the side of the ball with your off handYour off hand must support the side of the ball. This is essential for guidance purposes. Fix your eyes on the front of the rim and see the shot you are about to play in your minds eye.Visualize the ball travelling through the air and falling through the net.Step #4 Raise the ball over your head in one smooth motionYou need to raise the ball over your head in one smooth motion, forming 90 degree angles between your arm, elbow and wrist. This is perfect technique.Step 5# Shoot from the ground upConsider the shooting process as a chain reaction or a Mexican wave commencing from the ground up.Feel the kinetic energy rise up through you as you extend your knees, it flows up as you extend your arm and snap your wrist sending the ball on its desired flight path.Step 6# Follow Through It is important that you let the momentum carry you through to a full follow through.A shoot involves a chain of events that commences with energy stored in your flexed knees transferring to your arm and into the ball to expel it towards the net. Your supporting hand is for guidance purposes only.Basketballers come in all different shapes and sizes but most good players will adopt the basic fundamental technique I have just described.Follow these tips to the letter and your shooting will improve dramatically with plenty of practice. About the Author:
Martin O Flynn is a founder of Hobeze.com - the sport and Basketball Social Network. Join today for FREE at http://www.hobeze.com and network with like minded people. The site provides video tips on basketball technique, live news feeds, forum discussion and gives you a dedicated basketball profile for uploading your basketball videos, images, comments and to chat with basketballers
