The jump shot is the most critical method to scoring the basketball. Appreciating the fundamentals and learning correct form is vital to excel in any sport. Our goal is to begin by mastering the jump shot technique before we hit the floor for hours of practice time. Bad habits die slow and hard.
A poor jump shot will limit your game to layups, put backs, and garbage clean-up interior scoring. Big men may easily collect points in the paint, but marginally quick perimeter players will be shut down by slack defense protecting against penetration – daring you to shoot the rock.
The outside field goal threat will spread the floor for his teammates to work, score with the jump shot, and easily beat over aggressive close out defenders off the dribble. For example, Michael Redd entered the League as a poor shooting slasher, but has emerged as an elite scorer and even parlayed these hours of jump shot practice into a Gold Medal.
According to the Coach’s Clipboard, the jump shot is the most important skill to develop in regards to basketball success. The jumper technique shall be divided into four parts:
How to Shoot the Perfect Jump Shot
1: Balance – Establish a Strong Base for the Jumper
The jump shot relies on a strong base of feet and legs. Create enough space from your opponent to set your feet shoulder width apart, with a slight bend in the knees. Your shoulders should be squared to the basketball goal and your eyes should be locked onto the front of the rim. Ready yourself and gird your body to explode as if you were set to perform a squat leg workout.
The dominant hand should be directly on top of the basketball from this initial position. Place the weaker hand to the side of the ball at a 90-degree angle. Fingers and hands should be spread just enough to retain control – yet not flat to the point where the heels of your hands absorb the ball.
Initial hand and ball placement physically mandates that your fingertips guide the basketball and that the shooting hand elbow remains straight and close to the body.
3: EXPLODE and Elevate into the Jump Shot
Bend your knees further and EXPLODE into the jump. Maintain balance by keeping your shoulders square and bring the ball up to a point that is roughly 8 inches overhead – away from the defender. Your shooting hand will now be directly underneath the basketball and your off hand will be on the side of the pill and towards the top. The off hand simply holds the ball in place prior to the release. Obsessively assure yourself that your shooting elbow is indeed in at 90 degrees, and not flailing off to the side. Outrageously cock your dominant wrist backwards, so that it is almost parallel with the floor. Focus on the front of the rim.
Here is an example of sharpshooter Ray Allen – Jesus Shuttlesworth of the Boston Celtics elevating just prior to his release of the basketball.
4: Release and Follow Through
Just prior to the top of your jump, take your off hand from the ball, aim for the top of the rim, extend your shooting arm, and assertively flick your wrist forward. Embellish the action by pointing your wrist towards the floor and holding the pose for one count as you descend and land back on to the court.
How to Shoot the Perfect Jump Shot, Sources:
The Basketball Jump Shot, Coaches Clipboard
The Perfect Jump Shot, www.perfectjumpshot.com
Charles F. Gardner, Anatomy of a jump shot, by Michael Redd, www.jsonline.com
