NBA: The History of the Jumper

In the game of basketball, a common and most typical way of trying to score the basketball into the basket is by performing a jump shot. Usually, the player will jump straight up and in mid-air, they will release the ball in an arc-like manner towards the basket. Because of the variables like strength needed, speed performed at, and angle it is shot at, the closer the shot is attempted to the hoop will generally result in a better shooting percentage. The purpose of jumping is to get higher than the defender and to prevent them from blocking the shot. This will also give you more power.

Ken Sailors is one of the fathers of the jump shot. He is given most of the credit for inventing the jump shot. He eventually went on to become the NCAA tournament most valuable player in 1943. Sailors faced a dilemma whenever he played his brother. Standing one foot less than his brother, Sailors would often get this shot blocked. Therefore, he found out that if he was in mid-air when he shot it, he would have a height advantage over his brother and could shoot it over him. Another man credited for the jump shot was Joe Fulks. Glen Roberts was the first person to use a jump shot in a professional game.

The jump shot started out being mainly used in the National Basketball Association in the United States. The main technique used was shooting the ball as a set shot, or with both feet planted firmly on the ground. Paul Arizin, a player for the Philadelphia Warriors, was the first to really perfect the jump shot. As time went on, for a while his shot was the one everyone used for guidance. His technique was often taught as it became a very effecting technique for shooting the ball. Another player that performed the early jump shot very effectively was Rock Mount.

In today's basketball world, the jump shot has rapidly revolved. Turnaround jumpers, or shots in which the player begins with his back towards the basket but jumps, spins, and while he spins, he shoots the ball, has became an integral part of the flashy game. The fadeaway is always seen during a game, too. This occurs when the player is not straight when they shoot it. Their body is tilted backward to create more an arc. There is also a leaning jumper, which a player leans their body forward to create space between them and a trailing defender. There is also a pump fake, in which a player with appear to be shooting but suddenly stop, creating the defender to jump in the air and allowing the offensive player to dribble around them.

Wikipedia, Jump shot (basketball)