Evaluating Your Shot and Making Corrections

Most coaches and experts recommend the best way to develop a good jumpshot is to practice, practice, practice. Shoot everyday. Most players just shoot though and don't evaluate their jumper. The most common errors in shooting are listed below, along with suggestions on how to correct them.

Most coaches and experts recommend the best way to develop a good jumpshot is to practice, practice, practice.  Shoot everyday.  Be the last player out of the gym or off the court.   Most players just shoot though and don't evaluate their jumper.  The most common errors in shooting are listed below, along with some suggestions on how to correct them.

If your shot is coming up short.
Correction: A shot that is short is usually due to not using your legs, an incomplete follow thru, or slow or uneven rhythm. Through feel you should be able to determine whether you need to emphasize force from your legs, complete follow thru by keeping your arm up until the ball reaches the basket, or an even paced rhythm.

If your shot is continually long.
Correction: Your shooting arm is extending on too flat a trajectory (less than 45 degrees). Raise your shooting arm higher when you shoot putting a higher arc on your shot (45 to 60 degrees). You are leaning your shoulders back as the shoot. Shoot with your head and shoulders going forward and upward toward the rim as you follow thru. Your hands are positioned too far apart from each other on the ball preventing you from lifting the ball. Move your hands closer together.

If your shot is inconsistently short or long.
Correction: You probably have incomplete and inconsistent elbow extension when shooting. Extend your arm with complete elbow extension on follow thru.

If your shot is hitting the right side of the rim (right-handed shot).
Correction: You are either not squared up facing the basket, or you are starting your shot with the ball set in front of your head and your elbow out causing your arm to extend to the right on the shot. Start with your body square to the basket. Set the ball on the shooting side of your head between your ear and shoulder with your shooting hand facing the front of the rim. This enables you to shoot with your arm wrist and fingers going straight toward the basket.

If your shot is hitting the left side of the rim (right-handed shot).
Correction: Either you are not squared up facing the basket, or starting your shot with the ball set on your right hip or too far to your right resulting in shoving the ball from right to left as you shoot. Shoving the ball is a fault that results from not using your legs for power. Start with your body square to the basket. Set the ball on the shooting side of your head between your ear and shoulder with your shooting hand facing front and your elbow in. Shoot with your shooting arm, wrist and finger go straight toward to the basket.

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