NBA Basics: The Hook Shot

A hook shot is a play in basketball in which an offensive player does not shoot the ball in the traditional manner. They are usually perpendicular to the basket, with the hand they will shoot with farthest from the basket. Then, they do a sweeping motion with their arm from down low to above their head. Because it is only shot with one hand, the other hand can often be used to create some space between the shooter and the defender. This shot is very hard to block due to the angle that it is shot from. However, only a few people have really mastered this shot and can be difficult to make without proper footwork and much practice. If this shot is made, it is a regular field goal and the scoring player is award two points. The original hook shot required players to be running parallel to the basket. Then, in the running motion, they would release the shot. Before dunking, the hook shot was the common shot for centers. Now, however, big men don't have the lateral quickness or the foot speed to perform a traditional hook shot, which is why variations have been created.

A sky hook is a variation of a hook shot. The only difference is that the ball gets so high when a big player releases it. This was the trademark shot of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. When the seven foot, two inch center released the ball, it was next to impossible to contest this shot. Because of the length and height that the ball received, this was named a sky hook. Magic Johnson also used this shot frequently during the 1987 NBA Championship, in which it was renamed as the junior sky hook due to his short length but great ability to get the basketball up high.

Another variation of the hook shot is a jump shot. This is the most popular version of the hook shot. This type of shot is commonly used by all the big men in the NBA, but was really made famous by Shaquille O'Neal. The difference between this and a hook shot is the footwork. Due to the large frame of O'Neal, he is unable to dribble, take running steps, and run into the hook shot. Therefore, he plants his feet firmly on the ground and shoots off of two feet instead of one. This provides a better balance and will help the player release the ball higher into the air.

Wikipedia, Hook Shot