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Basketball PlayerWhether you’ve played basketball since you were five, like Stephen Curry, or are starting at the age of 55, the jump shot is one of the most vital moves in the game, and it all starts from the ground up.
Square up your toes so they face the basket. Your hips and chest should also face that direction.
Did you know?Your feet might naturally point 10 to 15 degrees to either side of the basket. This is fine as long as you point them in the same direction and remain as square as possible.
Firmly plant the arch of your foot into the ground in order to increase strength and balance on your jump shot. This also prevents you from rolling on the outside of your foot, which not only decreases your strength and balance but can cause an injury.
The greatest shooters don’t shoot with their arms; they shoot with their legs to bring energy, flow, motion, and power to their jump shot. Keep your legs square with your shoulders and bend your knees properly so they load into your hips and backside.
Did you know?If you extend your knees beyond your toes, your legs won’t provide power to your jump shot, and you might lose your balance. Avoid bending your knees in or out too far—bending inward decreases your power and balance and can cause an injury, and bending outward means you’ll be at a disadvantage against your defender.
Keep a bit of space in between your palms and the ball—don’t let it just sit in the palm of your hands—for proper spin, rotation, and control.
This makes sure your hand is centered on the ball and will let you properly release the ball and keep it in line with your arm toward the basket.
No matter where you’re shooting from, you’ll be able to see two or three hooks connecting the net to the rim. These are almost the same width as the basketball, and by aiming for the hooks at the front of the rim, you’ll get the ball just over and through the hoop.
Use the power from your arched foot and bent knees to jump with as little change in direction as possible. If you twist and/or jump toward the basket, your accuracy will decrease.
The release point is the most important part of the shot because it determines how close your defender needs to be in order to block. A higher release point is harder to defend, but releasing too soon means the shot will start low, your opponent won’t have to get as close to block, and your opponent can also block your line of sight with the basket.
Did you know?A flat jump shot will most likely hit the back of the rim and bounce out. You’ll want to shoot at a 45- to 48-degree arc—anything higher than that and you’ll lose control and accuracy—so the ball travels downward as it comes to the rim.
Your elbows should be fully extended and above your eyes, not out to the sides like a chicken wing. The “goose neck” provides a visual of putting your fingers right in front of the basket.
Film never lies, and watching videos of your shooting techniques is a vital part of your success. You can break down your form and technique, see how you’re getting better, and learn from your mistakes. Be purposeful in how you watch—it’s different than watching basketball as a fan.
