4 Keys To Becoming A Great Shooter

By Tucker Neale Ohio Basketball

Every basketball player wants to become a great shooter. Proper form and constant practice is the only sure- fire way to guarantee the best results. Below I break down the fundamentals of a great shooter:

Your body and mind remember the last shot that you took. The more bad habits you build, the harder it is to become a great shooter. At the same time, the more correct fundamentals you practice, the more efficient and closer you will become each day to a great shooter. Few shooters have the ability to overcome flawed fundamentals.

Feet and Foundation

Any shooter needs to start with a great foundation. Have your feet shoulder-width apart and parallel, not one foot in front of the other. Parallel feet optimize balance coming off of a screen and shooting off the dribble in either direction.

Shot Ready

Being ready to shoot is a vital part of being a great shooter. First, a great shooter must have their knees bent for power and balance. Then a great shooter has their wrist cocked in preparation to receive the basketball. Eyes should be on the target once the ball is received. Lastly, a great shooter has their elbow in close to the body while he is preparing to shoot.

Taking the Shot

Once the ball has been received, the following steps should be taken. First, find the target with your eyes. Then start the ball in the shooting pocket (about chest level on your dominant hand side) and raise the ball in one motion through the shooting shaft. Once the ball is released, point your fingers towards the target. Keep your eyes on the target, not the ball. Lastly, do not fade away from the target, but instead follow your shot.

Practice

The last major part of becoming a great shooter is practice. The best shooters are able to shoot, on average, 300-500 shots per day. The more you practice at game speed, the closer you become to being a great shooter on game day. Work on all aspects of shooting: off the dribble, stationary, off the screen, mid-range shots, three-point shots, backboard shots, foul shots, off-rhythm shots, and float shots. There is a lot of work to be done, but the reward will be you achieving great shooter status.

There is no magic pill to becoming a great shooter. By adhering to the fundamentals of shooting above, becoming a great shooter can be attained through hard work and perfect practice.