Proper shooting form for youngsters

Proper shooting form for youngsters
By Jack Simms

Thought I would do something different today, and will try to do this once a week. If want the whole series in one file contact me.

This article will be the first in a series detailing, why it is important to teach good habits during practice in basketball. This article will first cover shooting form, as this should be the first skill a budding basketball player learns. This is article is tailored for teaching elementary students as young as 6 years of age.

It is very important to demonstrate the proper technique the first time around to your players, or child if you are teaching them on your own. If you are a coach of a team you should have three players at each basket, two players to either side and one player in front. If it is just you and your son or daughter, then have them stand in front of the basket holding the ball while you retrieve the rebounds. The players should stand no more than 2 feet from the basket, this is important. They are not trying to sink an 8 foot jumper here, just need to be able to get the proper form of shooting at the basket down.

Right handed shooters should have their right foot centered on the basket and pointed directly at the center of the basket. The left foot should be positioned shoulder width apart, and be comfortable for the player. Most player will want to leave there left foot slightly behind there right foot. This is OK, as long as the left foot is pointing in the relative area of the basket, and not directly at the basket. Majority of the players you encounter will feel comfortable with there foot pointing just to the left of the basket.

From this position is where the form for shooting the ball should start. The player must bend there knee about 45 degrees. With your feet aligned properly, your body will follow through. Hold the ball in your shooting hand, this is a one handed shooting drill so let the hand dangle by your side. You will want to slowly bring the ball in, and have your arm at a 90 degree angle. Your tricep will be parallel to the floor and directly above your right leg. Bend your wrist so that the ball rests on the finger pads, do not let it rest on the fingertips. The index fingers should be in the middle of the ball, double check that your feet, arm, and ball are in correct form. Look to the front of the rim, there is a shiny spot on the back of the rim that you should aim for. You should shoot from the legs. You can tell you are doing the shot right, if you end it with being on your toes. You follow through your shot and have your hand pointing downward. This gives the ball good spin and leaves less room that it will bounce too far out for a rebound. This process should be repeated at minimum 20 times at the beginning of every practice, ideally 100 times is better.

This drill should be done the first 5 minutes of practice to help the players keep there form. As the players master this simple technique you can proceed with some more advanced forms. Such as Shooting two handed, just have to verify that the off hand is not used to shoot the ball. Doing jump shots from 2 to 4 feet away. You would pass them the ball and have them take the jump shot, just as they would in a game.

Making sure that your feet are properly set, the ball is resting on your finger pads and keeping your arm and knees in proper angles will ensure that your players learn the proper form of shooting a basketball. Practice this everyday for 5 to 10 minutes to ensure that the next game will have perfect form on all there shots.

RPG Basketball