Basketball Tip
3 Tips on How to Improve Your Shooting Percentage
The single most important statistic in basketball is your shooting percentage aka the amount of times the basketball enters the hoop. Increasing the number of shots you make is the only way to strengthen your chances of scoring more points, so it’s important to focus on integrating both mechanical and mental aspects of shooting into your practice. Once you understand the correct mechanics, you can practice on your own to reinforce movement patterns as well as build confidence in your shot. Here are three shooting tips to help you improve your overall percentage that are commonly taught at the Nike Basketball Shooting Camps.
1. Balance
Having your weight evenly distributed between both your feet is a key part to having a balanced athletic stance and is a fundamental step in your shot setup. Place your feet shoulder width apart and point your toes to the basket. After you take the shot, leave the ground and land in front of where you started. This will force your momentum towards the basket and will put more power behind your shot, increasing the chances of it reaching the basket. Neglecting to find balance before the ball leaves your hand will limit your chances of the shot being made.
2. Adding Arc
A ball that is thrown in a straight, flat line from your hands to the basket lacks arc. Players that have a very level shot are decreasing their chances of the ball going into the hoop. If you shoot the ball from the same point yet add curvature and height to the path of the ball, it will increase the circumference of the hoop from the perspective of the ball and therefore increase its ability to fit into the basket. Whenever you are practicing, ask a friend to stand directly in front of you, this will force you to shoot upwards and will create an arc in your shot.
3. Watch Film
In your free time, take 50 shots minimum from anywhere on the court and ask a friend to take a video recording of where each shot ends up. When you watch the film back, notice where the majority of your shots are going (i.e. fell too short, to the left or to the right). This will allow you to determine what you need to work on the most and help you prioritize this issue as you continue to practice. If you find that you are consistently missing shots on the same side, you need to work on your foot and arm placement. If you are always shooting too short or too far, you need to focus on power and distance control.
Great shooters are made, not born. Incorporate these shooting pointers into your practice and see how your shooting percentage improves over time. Check our more basketball tips and learn even more at a Nike Basketball Camps this summer!