Basketball Tip
Basketball Tip: How to Master the Hook Shot
There are a huge variety of shots, passes, cuts, and blocks in the game of basketball and each one has their time and place. As you progress in your athletic career, the more that you can differentiate your game, the more success you will have. One specific type of shot that will set you apart from the competition is the hook shot.
The hook shot, famously perfected by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, is used when the ball handler stands perpendicular to the basket and shoots the ball in a sweeping motion over their head. This positioning, most commonly used by low-post players, helps you protect the ball from the defender and makes it an incredibly difficult shot to block. Here are some tips to help you perfect your hook shot that are commonly taught at Nike Basketball Camps around the United States.
Form
The perfect hook shot is completed when you’re not directly facing the basket. To execute this, position yourself sideways so that your dominant or shooting hand with the ball is farthest from the basket. Simultaneously jump with the foot that is closest to the basket (if you are right-handed, this will be your left foot) and bring your bent shooting arm in a sweeping motion around your head and release the ball by flicking your wrist.
When to Utilize
This style of shot is most effectively used by post players in the paint and can be a great way to gain some quick points. If you find yourself having a really hard time with a certain defender, use your non-dominant hand to create space between you and the opposing player prior to shooting. Because this is a one-handed shot, we recommend that you make eye contact with the basket before beginning to ensure that it is the right time to use it.
When to Differentiate
The thing that makes the hook shot most effective is it's rarity. If you continue to use it repeatedly, the defender will catch on and it will no longer serve its purpose. Also, do not try to complete this shot if you are completely out of position or out of the paint because successfully making it requires proper placement, form, and balance.
Mastering the hook shot takes time and patience, but once you have it down it’s a skill that will come in handy on game day! Use practice as a time to try out new shots and test them out with your teammates. The more skills that you can master, the better player you will become! Take a look at more shooting tips that will help improve your skillset.