P.E.

4
BASIC SHOOTING SKILLS
Prepared by:

Jose A. Garcia
 BASIC SHOOTING B-E-E-F
The B.E.E.F. principle in basketball is an acronym that helps
novice players practice proper shooting form. The acronym
traditionally refers to maintaining balance, focusing eyes on
the target, aligning elbows properly and following through
with stable arm and hand movements.
 Balance is an essential aspect of scoring for any
type of shot, providing you with a foundation as you
extend your legs in preparation for throwing the
ball. Players should keep the feet squared and
positioned approximately a shoulder-width apart. A
similarly comfortable distance is acceptable as long

BALANCE as the feet are far enough apart to support the

player’s weight and prevent her from losing
balance. Bending the knees and positioning the
dominant foot slightly ahead of the other also
prepares your body for the forward motion. Try to
establish balance before you receive the ball so that
you are ready to make a shot as quickly as possible.
 Basketball players have to maintain focus.
Although it is important to be aware of other
players on the court, you must redirect your
attention to the target to make a successful shot.
Professional scouts Jerry Krause and Jerry
Meyer and former college coach Don Meyer
EYES ON THE advise in “Basketball Skills & Drills” that you
TARGET narrow your focus to a specific area of the
basketball goal, such as the backboard or back
rim of the net. They recommend dedicating
your focus to the target for at least 1 second
before shooting.
 The position of your arms provides a foundation for
the entire shot, affecting the strength of the wrists
and hands right before the ball is released. Proper
elbow alignment and stable positioning of the hands
ensures that your shot will follow the intended path
ELBOWS toward the net. Keep your lower arm vertical,
ALIGNED forming a 90-degree angle and keeping the elbows
positioned directly under the ball. Raise your
elbows slightly and avoid angling them too far
inward or outward.
 A player’s hands guide the shot and influence the
trajectory of the basketball. This aspect of the
B.E.E.F. shooting principle is known as the “follow
through” because the player completes the full
range of arm movement necessary to perform the
shot. With hands firmly planted on the ball, your
FOLLOW wrists should flick forward and propel the ball
THROUGH toward the net. The goal is to launch the ball upward
rather than outward, so extend the arms and wrists
fully to create the ideal arch. Meyer, Krause and
Meyer recommend aiming for an arm angle of
approximately 55 to 60 degrees after the release.
 SPOT SHOOTING
When you first step onto the basketball court to shoot, you always want to start in
close so you can calibrate your skills. Stay low and shoot with your dominant
hand while keeping your dominant foot just a little farther from your other. Keep
your elbows tight, elevate up and follow through. If you miss, try to shoot lower or
higher. That’s called calibrating your shot. Once you’ve got five in a row, move
back and do the same thing. When you start to feel warm, then you can move on
to the 5-Spot Shooting Drill.
 § The first spot you’ll be shooting from is the short
corner. In this exercise, you’re going to toss the
ball toward the midpoint between the basket and
sideline and receive the ball like you would
receive a pass during a live game. Next, you’re
5 – SPOT going to get balanced in the shooting position you
SHOOTING were in earlier when you were calibrating so you
can elevate up and take a good shot. Remember
to go at game speed, especially when snagging
rebounds.
 § After you make five shots from the short corner, go to
the second spot, which is the wing (around 15 feet
diagonal from the basket). Remember to stay
balanced while keeping your body straight on the
way up and on the way down. Sometimes when
you’re coming off at full speed, you’ll have a
tendency to fade, which will have a negative effect
5 – SPOT on your shot. This is why you need to go straight up
and down or slightly straight forward.
SHOOTING
§ The next spot to shoot from is the top of the key,
followed by the opposing wing and then the short
corner.
 § After you make five baskets from each
spot, you’re going to then shoot 10. You’ll
want to record how many you make from
5 – SPOT each spot and record them in your
SHOOTING shooting journal. This drill is crucial for
improving shooting consistency and
building up endurance.
 5 – SPOT
SHOOTING
 § https://www.sportsrec.com/390989-the-swish-method-
for-shooting-a-basketball.html

REFERENCES
§ https://protips.dickssportinggoods.com/sports-and-
activities/basketball/basketball-drills-5-spot-shooting