How to shoot a basketball

For beginners building steady form so free-throw and mid-range shots start dropping.

Your legs power the shot and your fingertips guide it straight. Square every part of the motion to the rim and finish high.

You'll need a basketball, clear space to the free-throw line fifteen feet out, and a ten-foot hoop.

Step 01
STAND with feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, and your shooting-side foot a couple inches ahead.
Toes point straight at the basket. Balance feels solid when you can lift either heel without swaying.
Step 02
GRIP the ball on your shooting-hand finger pads with the guide hand resting on the side.
Leave space under the ball so the palm stays off it. You see clear daylight between palm and ball when the touch is right.
Step 03
RAISE the ball to just above your forehead while keeping the shooting elbow tucked close to your body.
Align the ball with your shooting eye. The forearm stands vertical and the elbow aims at the rim when the set is correct.

The most common mistake

Guiding with the off hand pushes the shot off line. Let that hand drop away early so only the shooting fingertips control the ball.

Make ten shots from five feet with only the follow-through focus before you step back to fifteen feet.

Legs load, eyes lock, elbow tucked, snap and hold.

Step 04

LOOK at the middle of the rim or the back iron and keep your gaze fixed there.

Choose one small target and do not glance at the ball. The spot stays clear in your vision through the release when focus holds.

Step 05

DRIVE up by extending your legs and shooting arm together in a smooth upward path.

Push the floor away as the arm straightens. The ball leaves on a high arc when the legs finish their push at the same moment the arm locks.

Step 06

HOLD the follow-through with your wrist flexed and fingers pointing down toward the basket.

Freeze that hand position for a silent count of two. Backward spin shows on the ball when the snap was clean.