Quick Basketball tips

fustercluck

Diamond Member
Dec 29, 2002
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I really suck at basketball, always have. Been playing for a while, but i'm a really bad shooter i guess. Anyone got some quick tips for shooting?
 

jdub1107

Golden Member
Feb 9, 2003
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Pratice really close to the basket with one hand and slowly move farther away. I guess depending on how bad you are, the closer you should start. Maybe a couple of feet away at first and see if you can aim from there. Get use to bending your knees and flicking your wrist without jumping. When you get the fluid motion down, then try elevating.
 

BigJ

Lifer
Nov 18, 2001
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It's all in the legs and wrist. Don't try to power the ball, let it flow out of your hands.
 

alexjohnson16

Platinum Member
Dec 27, 2002
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Don't heave the ball towards the hoop...

A soft touch will help you a lot... Use the glass if you can too...
 

Stark

Diamond Member
Jun 16, 2000
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make your shooting hand into a duck puppet. point the head away from you, raise your arm in front of you and straighten your elbow.

That's how your arm should look after a shot. if it doesn't you're doing it wrong.
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
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Besides practice? No not really. Some people just can't ever figure out how to shoot. Like Shaq and Greg Ostertag.
 

skim milk

Diamond Member
Apr 8, 2003
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for shooting, make sure when you shoot, your ball has rotation (spinning, not flat) and it also has an arc.

Make sure you are holding and shooting the ball correctly to do it.... it's all in your legs pretty much
just have to keep shooting and practicing
 

PlatinumGold

Lifer
Aug 11, 2000
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It is not exactly intuitive, but don't shoot your arm out at an angle towards the basket. instead shoot your arm out straight above you. at release flick your wrist. this gives the ball two vectors. one up and one out. this gives the ball a higher arc and a better angle towards the basket as it comes down.

start close knees bent and wrist release as stated in a post above and move out farther and farther same motion, just ad a little hop as you get out. the farther you go out the more you will have to jump.

 

desk

Golden Member
Nov 6, 2004
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i think the best way to learn to shoot is to seperate the arm and leg motions. when you are just learning, i would suggest standing flat footed and shoot the ball only using your upper body (try not to move anything from the waist down). after you are comfortable with your arm motion, try to put a little bounce in your shot by bending your knees, etc.

that is how i get out of a funk if im not shooting well. it's kinda like isolating your problem areas, making them easier to notice and correct.

 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
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Nah, I think shooting is all in the wrist/release. At least for me. I can shoot 3's flat footed like you would a free throw. Even if I'm shooting flat footed or jumping, I can tell from the moment I release the ball if it's going down or not.

But then I've had some coaches tell me I've got one of the most natural shooting skills they've seen. Too bad I couldn't dribble to save my life. :(
 

PlatinumGold

Lifer
Aug 11, 2000
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Originally posted by: vi_edit
Nah, I think shooting is all in the wrist/release. At least for me. I can shoot 3's flat footed like you would a free throw. Even if I'm shooting flat footed or jumping, I can tell from the moment I release the ball if it's going down or not.

But then I've had some coaches tell me I've got one of the most natural shooting skills they've seen. Too bad I couldn't dribble to save my life. :(

so you would be the last one someone should take advice from. a "natural" shooter doesn't understand what lesser mortals go thru.

i spent lots of time perfecting the shot and when i warm up well before a game i can shoot pretty well. the key is, release of wrist as the arm is fully outstretched upward. the higher your point of release the better natural arc you will have. i don't understand people that release with their elbow bent.

 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
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i spent lots of time perfecting the shot and when i warm up well before a game i can shoot pretty well. the key is, release of wrist as the arm is fully outstretched upward. the higher your point of release the better natural arc you will have. i don't understand people that release with their elbow bent.

Really, there is no "true" way to shoot. Look at all the shooters in the NBA...probably one of the ugliest ones in my recent memory is Shawn Marion...the guy looks like he's heaving from his chest...but it works for him. Reggie Miller is the king of the trey and two hand pushes it above his head.

You can practice form and whatnot all you want, but when you play any shot under pressure will knock you off balance or in a less than perfect shooting stance. When it comes down to shots like that it's all in the wrist IMHO.
 

fustercluck

Diamond Member
Dec 29, 2002
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Any tips on hand position and release? I'm not usually getting too close to the basket...i've been playing frequently for the last couple of years sadly :p - I don't need to do better, but i'd like to. I just like to shoot when i get board, there's a basket close to my house.
 

iamme

Lifer
Jul 21, 2001
21,058
3
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explaining how to shoot via the internet is pretty tough, imo.

find a friend who's an adept shooter and ask him to help you with your form.

once you find decent form, practice, practice, practice!
 

iamme

Lifer
Jul 21, 2001
21,058
3
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Originally posted by: jacktackle
Any tips on hand position and release? I'm not usually getting too close to the basket...i've been playing frequently for the last couple of years sadly :p - I don't need to do better, but i'd like to. I just like to shoot when i get board, there's a basket close to my house.

if you're a pretty poor shooter, practice shot close to the basket first. don't start launching three pointers when you're practicing. start right under the basket and slowly move outward towards the free throw line.

as far as hand position, try having your left hand on the side of the ball. your left hand should be there to stabilize the ball, not shoot it.

a good way to practice is to stay close to the basket and shoot with just your right hand.

(all assuming you're right handed)
 

Crappopotamus

Golden Member
Oct 1, 2002
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these are the basic mechanics i was taught, real quick. if youre righty, right foot a little ahead of left. face up to the basket. when you bring the ball up, your right forearm (between wrist and elbow) should be vertical, and above your right knee. snap your wrist through the shot, you should feel your fingers leave the ball and give it a spin.

and of course coordinate with the rest of your body. it should be mostly legs.
 

dsfunk

Golden Member
May 28, 2004
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bring the ball down between your knees

with a smooth motion, hurl the ball upwards toward your face

release before you hurt yourself