Basketball - Review (Shooting)

Here, I will provide a review of the skill of shooting in basketball. Firstly, I will outline the correct technique for shooting in a stationary position (Free throws), then I will include a video for you to see the technique in action.



Remember, practice makes perfect! If you want to do well in the exam for basketball, make sure you have these techniques as close to perfect as you can get them.









B.E.E.F. is designed to help any aspiring basketball player to learn the skills necessary to shoot correctly. By working on the points of BEEF you put yourself in a better position to be selected for a competitive team, since coaches will notice that they don't need to teach you the basic mechanics of shooting.

'B'-Balance: Keep your feet shoulder-width apart, with your shooting foot slightly ahead of your non-shooting foot. If you're right-handed, your shooting foot is your right foot. If you're left-handed, then your shooting foot is your left foot. Make sure your entire body is aligned at a square to the basket.

'First E'-Eyes: Choose a target - it could be the front of the rim, the centre of the hoop, or the basket as a whole, and focus only on that. Don't watch the flight of the basketball, or your hand as you release the ball. 

'Second E'-Elbow: Cock your elbow back to a 90° angle and look at the back of your wrist. If you can see wrinkles, then you have your arm in the correct position. Rest the ball on the pads of your fingers with the centre of the ball on your index finger, then place your guide hand on the side of the ball and make sure that it doesn't slip underneath it. You will not be using that hand to help shoot the ball - it is there to make sure that the ball doesn't fall off your hand before you shoot it and nothing more.

'F'-Follow-through: Straighten your elbow and release the ball by flicking your wrist, which gives the ball some backspin. You should look like you're reaching into a cookie jar that is on a shelf above your head.

Here is a video of Ray Allen who is widely considered to have the best shooting technique in the NBA.