Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Shoot Like the Pros: The Road to a Successful Shooting Technique
    Shoot Like the Pros: The Road to a Successful Shooting Technique
    Shoot Like the Pros: The Road to a Successful Shooting Technique
    Ebook394 pages2 hours

    Shoot Like the Pros: The Road to a Successful Shooting Technique

    By Adam Filippi and Jerry West

    4/5

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    Shooting is the most important fundamental skill in basketball, but despite being the skill players are the most willing to practice, shooting technique is perhaps the least-taught fundamental of the game. In addition, there are very few instructional basketball books dedicated exclusively to shooting. Shoot Like the Pros is perhaps the most detailed analysis of shooting mechanics, covering every aspect of shooting, ever published. Divided into seven sections, it covers shooting mechanics, the mental aspects of shooting, free throws, game situations, strength and conditioning, teaching methods, and finally workout drills for advanced levels. Including tips from some of the NBA's biggest stars, this is a book that will give both players and coaches at all levels proper direction on how to improve shooting technique.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTriumph Books
    Release dateFeb 1, 2011
    ISBN9781623686871
    Shoot Like the Pros: The Road to a Successful Shooting Technique

    Related to Shoot Like the Pros

    Related ebooks

    Basketball For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      We Poppin'

      May 31, 2022

      We Poppin'
      7 min read

    • Article

      The Book Of Bates

      Apr 5, 2021

      IT’S A FREEZING Tuesday afternoon in mid-February and a snowstorm has blanketed a good portion of southeast Michigan. So much so that hundreds of schools in the region have canceled classes. Yet, in the southeast outskirts of Ann Arbor, right off US

      8 min read

    • Article

      Ask The experts

      Mar 2, 2023

      Q Post-pandemic, I’ve really lost all motivation to shoot. I seem to be just spinning my wheels. The prospect of tournaments doesn’t excite me anymore. What to do? A This happens to most archers at some point, often three or four years after taking u

      4 min read

    • Article

      Interview: John Dillinger

      May 21, 2020

      Interview: John Dillinger
      7 min read

    • Article

      Path To The Podium

      Jan 1, 2023

      Path To The Podium
      9 min read

    • Article

      Eye of the tiger

      Nov 18, 2022

      Eye of the tiger
      10 min read

    • Article

      Putting The ‘K’ In KO

      Sep 10, 2023

      Putting The ‘K’ In KO
      4 min read

    • Article

      QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

      Jan 19, 2023

      To round out our special series for archery newcomers, Starting Out, here are a cross-section of questions put to me over many years. Hopefully there will be some specific information you will find useful as you move from your initial stages to becom

      5 min read

    • Article

      Ash Brazill

      Jun 12, 2019

      Ash Brazill
      3 min read

    • Article

      Coaching Players for Life

      Aug 21, 2017

      Coaching Players for Life
      3 min read

    • Article

      The Record Breaker

      Dec 27, 2022

      On any given Sunday fans around the world tune into the National Football League to watch Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers light up the gridiron unlike anyone. It’s not hyperbole to state CMC is one of the most electric and explosive pl

      4 min read

    • Article

      Developing the Motor

      Jul 2, 2019

      If it takes no talent to hustle, why aren’t we seeing more of it? I am beginning to praise players too often for “hustling” and playing the game “hard” when that should be the norm. Baseball is a sport that requires effort to succeed and a “grind” me

      1 min read

    • Article

      Chasing The Dream

      Jul 18, 2019

      Chasing The Dream
      6 min read

    • Article

      Notre Dame Basketball Coach Muffet McGraw Wants To See More Women Coaching

      Apr 24, 2020

      After 33 years and two women's basketball championships at Notre Dame, Muffet McGraw retired this week. She's been outspoken about having more women leaders in sports.

      3 min read

    • Article

      Winning Attitude

      Jul 11, 2023

      Winning Attitude
      3 min read

    • Article

      Ipsc Vs. Self-defence?

      Mar 6, 2023

      Ipsc Vs. Self-defence?
      3 min read

    • Article

      Ipsc Vs. Self-defence?

      Mar 6, 2023

      Ipsc Vs. Self-defence?
      3 min read

    • Article

      Wayne’s World

      Sep 27, 2022

      Wayne’s World
      9 min read

    • Article

      On Top Of Her Game

      Nov 30, 2018

      Unlike chess, there is no black and white in Tania Sachdev's life when it comes to winning and losing as failures give her the power to push herself more. She holds the FIDE (Federation Internationale des Echecs) titles of international master and wo

      2 min read

    • Article

      Stuart Lancaster

      Sep 7, 2021

      Stuart Lancaster
      2 min read

    • Article

      Meet your hero

      Mar 28, 2024

      Meet your hero
      6 min read

    • Article

      Play Like A Child

      Apr 30, 2018

      Play Like A Child
      4 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Shoot Like the Pros

    4/5

    4 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      Shoot Like the Pros - Adam Filippi

      target.

      Chapter 1

      Shooting Mechanics

      BUILDING PROPER TECHNIQUE

      Like most basketball fundamentals, shooting begins with the feet and ends with the hands. So I will begin talking about their roles and positioning first, then address correct alignment, follow-through, and how proper rhythm keeps it all together. During mechanics training your goal should be to eliminate any mechanical flaws and find consistency to develop an automatic shooting technique. You will focus mostly on form shooting, stand still shooting (set shooting), free throw shooting, and slowly progress into jump shooting.

      Figure 1.1 Basic components.

      Figure 1.2 Components and parts of basic shooting mechanics.

      Figure 1.3 Components of basic shooting mechanics.

      BASIC TECHNIQUE

      Balance: The Foundation of Your Shot

      Just as a house’s foundation must be strong enough to hold up the rest of the structure, the foundation of shooting a basketball begins with balance. Without a balanced stance, you will not be able to react quickly and will not be able to gain proper leg and arm power for your shot. You must stay compact with all body parts connected: legs, arms, shoulders, hands, head, and core.

      Stance

      Feet should be shoulder-width apart and pointing at the basket. If your feet are too close to each other, you will have no balance; if they are too wide, you won’t be able to react. Weight should be equally distributed on both feet. Get your shooting toe (right or left, depending if you are right-or left-handed) aligned with the basket (see Figure 1.4). Some players tend to have their other foot pointed elsewhere. This causes hips to not be squared to the basket. You want both feet and 10 toes to the basket. Your legs must be flexed at the ankles and knees (don’t overbend) because they provide the initial force in the shooting motion. Avoid keeping your weight on your heels. Keep your eyes on the rim.

      Figure 1.4. Stance.

      Shooting TIP

      Foundation, form, and follow-through are the key components of a smooth shot.

      —Craig Hodges

      Craig Hodges’ consistent form allowed him to win three consecutive NBA three-point contests from 1990 to 1992. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

      Shooting Foot

      Your shooting toe is aligned with the goal, pointing in the correct direction (shot line). You must compensate for the fact that you hold the ball on your strong side (right or left) as that shoulder will be slightly forward—although everyone says, shoulders squared, that really isn’t a natural position if you are holding the ball on one side. Therefore your lead foot should be slightly forward to balance your upper body. The back (nonshooting) foot’s toe should be aligned with the instep of the shooting foot (see Figure 1.5). Don’t let this slightly staggered foot stance twist your hips—they should still be as squared as possible to the rim.

      Figure 1.5 Shooting foot.

      Be Compact

      You must eliminate any excess motion of arms, legs, and ball. You don’t want to bend your legs too much or move the ball too much: unnecessary movement leads to increased chance for error. Hold the ball in your shooting pocket: the stomach-chest area closest to your center of gravity from where all movement begins, below shoulders, on your strong side (right or left). Keep elbows in—close to hips and shooting wrist already loaded (see Figure 1.6). You will find proper balance holding the ball in this region of the body, with your legs bent and ready to react. The combination of correct shooting pocket height (with wrist cocked) and proper use of legs provides the power to initiate the shooting motion. This concept is a very important aspect of your triple-threat stance.

      Figure 1.6 Be compact.

      Head and Shoulders

      You must also be compact with your head. Leaning too far ahead, behind, or sideways— out of your base of support—will cause you to lose balance. Feet and legs should provide a good base, with shoulders relaxed and not leaning back. Keep your head up with your eyes on the basket.

      Shooting TIP

      Your head position is key for your balance.

      —Jerry West

      Hands: Correct Placement and Grip on the Ball

      Hand placement is the most delicate part of your shooting form. Hand size and finger length affect your shot and positioning on the ball. We must address both shooting hand placement and balance hand placement. Find a comfortable grip on the ball: during the shot motion, your arms and hands should be in controlled tension—not too tight and not too soft.

      Shooting Hand

      The goal of the shooting hand is to make the ball go straight as you line up with the basket. You must develop correct, stable hand position to control the ball. You have to feel the ball: spread your fingers naturally and get a good grip. Don’t try to palm the ball because this will cause too much tension—avoid too wide of a V between index and thumb. Don’t keep your fingers too close because the ball will lay on your palm and you will have no control—avoid too tight of a V between index and thumb. You should be able to balance and control the ball with a good shooting hand grip, right above your shooting eye, approximately 90-degree angles at wrist and elbow (see Figure 1.7). Only your finger pads and thumb touch the ball. You should be able to fit two fingers between the ball and palm to make sure there is no contact. When you snap your wrist to release the ball, don’t close your hand because your rotation will be poor. Keep your fingers open—natural spread, no tension—with index and middle sending the ball in the correct direction.

      Figure 1.7 Shooting hand.

      Shooting TIP

      You cannot control the ball without a proper grip.

      —Derek Fisher

      Shooting Fingers: The Shooting Fork

      The last fingers to touch the ball on its release determine the final force applied, direction, backspin, and touch on the shot. Not all players finish their shot the same way. Some may not even know which finger touches the ball last. Do you point at the basket with the index finger? Middle finger? Index and middle fingers? I insist that players release the ball off the two shooting fingers—index and middle, forming the shooting fork—especially since most people’s middle fingers are significantly longer than their index fingers (see Figure 1.8). Position your two fingers in the middle of the ball forming a tight V (less than 1 between fingertips; the space in between should be the center of the ball. Practice using the ball’s valve stem as point of reference—see Chapter 3: The Free Throw). The two-shooting finger" technique provides the best control, backspin, and touch on the ball. However, this is very personal and there is no exact rule; you should choose for yourself depending on your feel on the ball. Whichever you choose, only three fingers (thumb, index, and middle) have a purpose in shooting the basketball. The two outside fingers (ring and pinky) are in contact with the ball only for stabilization and should not add any force to the shot.

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1