Shooting a Basketball: Basketball Skills and Tips

Scoring is the ultimate objective in basketball. Good shooters spend endless hours on the court perfecting their shots in order to play better basketball. Players of all ages need to learn the right steps and form when shooting a basketball. A well-rounded basketball player also needs to have a great vertical jump; great jumps help players score.  If you want to improve your vertical jump, I highly recommend The Jump Manual - this training software can help anyone improve his vertical jump in just a couple of weeks.

If your goals are on the low end, you are probably trying to find a way to become the highest scoring player. Shooting a basketball requires excellent form and technique. It is possible that with the right drills and practice, you will find your opponents wishing you were on their team!

I like to use the pneumonic device BEEF to remember the proper basketball shooting technique. It helps me maintain focus and concentration so I can ultimately increase my number of basketball goals.

• B-Achieve balance by spreading your legs about shoulder-width and keeping your knees slightly bent. This is known as the triple-threat-position, so-named because you have the option to dribble, pass, or shoot.
• E-Your elbow should be positioned directly under the ball. The ball should be on your fingertips (not in the palm of your hand).
• E-Your eyes should be focused at the front of the rim.
• F-Always follow through. Keep your off-hand on the side of the ball (this hand is only for guidance). The fingertips of your shooting hand should be spread out, yet relaxed. You can improve your chances of scoring by adding a backspin. This is done by flicking your wrists to add a backward twirl to the ball.

Steps on how to shoot a basketball:

1. Hold the ball with your dominant hand toward the hoop and place your off-hand on the side of the ball for guidance.
2. Try to score without hitting the rim or backboard by aiming just beyond the front of the rim.
3. When taking an angled shot, aim inside the boxed area of the backboard and bounce the ball off the glass, into the hoop.
4. Determine the amount of arm strength and elevation you need to achieve to make the shot. This is basically trial and error, so practicing is important.
5. When shooting, your strength comes from your legs. Bend your knees and use the strong muscles in your legs to push off your toes. Be sure to incorporate some weightlifting into your workout routine to improve the strength in your leg muscles.
6. One of the best basketball tips is to watch for the opportunity of an offensive-rebound. Always follow your shot by running toward the basket after taking your shot in case you miss.

When working to fine tune your basketball skills, try the following exercises. They are designed to give you more choices for basketball shooting drills that you are able to practice on your own.

• Mark several spots on a basketball court and practice your shooting.
• Practice shooting off the dribble as well as from a dead ball.
• Experiment with different angles and drills, using the backboard when necessary.
• Try to replicate game situations with other people or by using cones.

As with most sports, practice makes perfect, and basketball training is no different. It involves time and perseverance. If you continue practicing the information in this article, you will not only have improved your style, you will have mastered how to shoot a basketball. Then when it's game time, all eyes will be on you.