Basketball is a tactful game, and no gameplay aspect exemplifies this more than shooting. To be a great shot, you need a combination of awareness, balance, grip, delivery, and follow-through, ensuring that you can locate the ring and put it through with almost every shot! Understanding the rules and regulations, such as how long can you be in the paint in basketball, is also crucial to master the sport. It can also be the hardest gameplay aspect to master, so we have put together six imperative tips for ensuring you get your shot down pat.
It can also be the hardest gameplay aspect to master, and so we have put together six imperative tips for ensuring you get your shot down pat.
So, get down to your nearest basketball hoop, and make sure you implement this vital advice when working on your shot:
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Locate the ring early
You want to locate the ring as early as possible. Why? Because that split second of locational awareness can make all the difference when it comes to calculating the ring’s distance and focus. To develop this imperative microskill, you need to practise dribbling with your eyes up and not focusing on the ball itself.
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Hold that follow through
You will never see a pro drop his hands after a jump shot. This is because the follow through is imperative to taking a great shot, as it helps deliver a well-weighted shot that is more direct. You always see the pros of doing it, and so it’s time to start implementing it into your game (if you haven’t already!).
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Afterwards, relax the wrist
Players often make the mistake of following through with a tense, tightened wrist. You should keep the wrist relaxed on your follow through, with your hand bouncing a little and staying in line with the shot.
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Use a multicoloured ball in practise
We’ve all seen those old multicoloured balls (generally in the colours of the US flag), and probably never considered them as they simply don’t look as cool as the classic orange Spalding. But they can actually help with our shot accuracy, as their multicoloured pattern helps us see if we are shooting in line or not, as you can see the colours rotating properly or off-line.
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Don’t overthink it
The last thing you want to do is bog yourself down with the dynamics of shooting. Think about your shot when practising with your basketball hoop, not when you’re out there on the court in the midst of competition. This will only preoccupy your whole game, and make it difficult to focus on the bigger picture.
Seriously, overthinking on the court will mess with your game, so practising techniques for calming your mind when out on the court is great for your game and general health. This is why you will hear about so many professionals (in all kinds of sports) practising meditation – it helps clear the mind in life and, consequently, the court.
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Try to relax on the idea of nailing baskets
Negative thoughts can be the bane of a player’s game, so try this simple sports trick to alleviate that self-doubt and back yourself more with every shot. When you’re warming up, be sure to tell yourself that you don’t really if you nail any baskets, and then, when you are about to shoot in the match setting, tell yourself something along the lines of “good shot, but I can do better”, which will help continue the non-caring element of shooting.
This very simple trick will help you relax on the idea of nailing every basket (as we know is a near-impossibility!). At the end of the day, your mind can be your greatest enemy on the court (and not the opposition), so training your mind is essential to nailing a huge basket percentage!
