Seven Sure Ways to Improving Your Shooting

"Shooters are made - not born."

1. Get open before you receive the ball.
Create a solid lead to set up the shot you want. However, be sure to time your lead. Creating a lead too early or too late will not work.

Don't fight defensive pressure. If/when a defender denies or disrupts the passing lane, back cut to the basket or screen away.

Set and use good screens.

2. Have good shot selection.
Know your ability and shooting range. "Hoped Shots" rarely end up in the basket.

Practice and employ your best shots. Some good practice shooters may become only average game shooters, but there are no poor practice shooters who are excellent game shooters.

Know where your teammates are before shooting. Make sure no teammate is open for a better shot. Be aware of defensive players' and offensive rebounders' locations.

Know when to shoot. Passing up a good shot is just as important as taking a bad shot.

3. Shoot with consistency.
Hold ball high with wrist back and elbow pointing directly at the basket.
Release ball quickly but do not hurry. Ball should have good back spin.
Follow through. Keep shooting hand and fingers extended until ball goes through the basket.

4. Concentrate on shot.
Shoot with touch. Focus on the rim. Do not watch the ball - a shooter that take eyes off the target usually blows the shot.
Concentrate on every shot in every practice and every game.
Concentrate despite any distractions of noise and movement. You should have only one thought on your mind, and that is making the shot

5. Shoot with confidence.
Want and call for the ball. To be a good shooter, a player must have the confidence in his shooting ability. "You are only as good as you think".

Follow your shots. The best shooters in the world only make half of their shots.

Practice. The secret to good shooting is countless hours of hard work and concentration. This why coaches love to see baskets in player's backyards. Practice the shots that you are going to get during a game. Use the "Beef" principle to analyze and improve your shot.

B = Balance
E = Elbow under the ball
E = Eyes focused on target
F = Follow Through

6. Acknowledge the pass.
Use verbal or body language to thank and praise the passer.

This will result in receiving more and better passes.

7. Become a proficient passer.
A good shot starts with a good pass. Always follow the simple rule: "Get the ball to the open player." You will be surprised how many times it will be you!

Improving your passing will build better shooting because the principles involved in throwing to a teammate are the same as shooting at the basket. This is why great shooters are also great passers.

By Ernie Woods, Hooptactics