Basketball Tips: The Secret to Making the Perfect Shot

Many people like to call themselves an Allen Iverson when it comes to hitting the court, and it's no surprise that young people all over find it tempting to pick up a basketball and talk about how much they can do with it. In the heat of all of that talk, the statement that often arises is "Show me what you are working with," or "Put your money where your mouth is." Then, the talker is asked to put some action to the words. In that event, the talker usually takes the basketball and either embarrasses himself or proves that he has enormous skill. In the event that you are a person who would end up embarrassing yourself in the above situation, I have one question for you: Can you shoot?

The Technique

You gotta get the ball in your hands first and position yourself so that you are facing the basket. You knees need to have a slight bend to them, and your back needs to be straight. Make sure that your feet are approximately shoulder width apart. As you hold the ball, make sure that it's resting on the fingertips of your dominant hand. This hand is known as "the shooting arm" Raise your harm just slightly over your head, and put the other hand on the side of the ball. As you aim the ball to go into the neck, line your elbow up vertically; forearm facing the basket's direction.

The Shot

As you begin to shoot the basketball, remember, "bend and extend." Bend and extend the knees. Then, extend the shooting arm so that it becomes straight. Then let it roll, meaning the ball should just roll right off of your fingertips and the wrist should do a downward flex motion. If you leave your shooting arm straight for just a moment after you have made the shot, you've done what is called the follow-through, and that's what's recommended in order to maintain accuracy. As some added advice, the arm that is not the shooting arm is usually used to guide the basketball rather than to provide the power for the shot. After you have mastered the technique of shooting, you will really begin to fully realize the benefits of bending and extending, letting it roll off of the finger tips, and keeping the non-shooting arm straight for just that perfect moment after the shot. If you master these important parts of shooting a basketball, Before you know it, you'll be a basket ball pro