Correcting Common Basketball Shot Mistakes

It's easy to identify the mistake the shooter has made when he/she misses a shot. If the ball falls short, the shooter simply did not use enough legs. If the ball hits the back of the rim, the shooter has pushed the ball with his/her hands. If the ball hits the front of the rim because it was a flat shot, the shooter just needs to jump higher. Technique may also need correction if the shot is consistently missed.

As a basketball player, my biggest problem was aligning my shooting arm vertically. This puts the ball right on target with the goal. It also ensures balance. To correct this problem, it's best to just practice shooting the ball this way. Having a partner watch you while you shoot will ensure the right shot. However, over correcting should be a concern, too, so make sure your partner watches for verticality.

Another common mistake is palming the ball. There should be a small space between the ball and your palm when shooting. This can be identified when the ball has been shot, but there is no spin on the ball. To correct this, lie on your back and shoot the ball above you. Flick your wrist and make sure the ball is not touching your palm.

The most common mistake when shooting is shooting with two hands. The ball should only be shot with the dominate hand. The other hand is just there to help balance it. It should be removed from the ball before the shot is complete. This is easily identified by checking the position of the hands at the end of a shot. The less dominant hand should be bent, with the hand at eye level. The dominant arm should be fully extended at eighty degrees, with the wrist bent down.

If all technique is correct in a shot, it will eventually start to fall in. Begin shooting under the goal and once the player gets comfortable with the shot, move out a step at a time.