🎯 How to Shoot a Basketball: The Complete Beginner’s Guide

By Bexley Tigers Staff Writer

“Shooting isn’t luck. It’s a habit made of the same little choices repeated thousands of times.”

Why good shooting matters

Shooting is the currency of basketball. You can win games without a crazy handle or highlight dunks if you can hit shots consistently. Good shooting opens defenses, forces rotations, and gives your team spacing. For youth players, building a repeatable, efficient shot early makes everything else in your game easier.

The mechanics — step by step

1. Stance & balance

Feet shoulder-width apart.
Knee bend: athletic but relaxed.
Dominant foot slightly ahead (the one on the same side as your shooting hand).
Weight on the balls of your feet so you can explode upward.

2. Grip & hand placement

Shooting hand under the ball, fingers spread, fingertips doing the work.
Guide hand lightly on the side — it stabilises but doesn’t push.
There should be a small pocket of air between your palm and the ball.

3. Elbow & alignment

Tuck your shooting elbow in line with your knee and shoulder — create a straight line toward the hoop.
Aim your elbow so it creates a vertical plane to the basket.

4. The motion & release

Use your legs to generate power — don’t muscle everything with your arm.
Extend upward in one smooth motion: knees → hips → arm.
Snap the wrist at the top; imagine reaching into a cookie jar.
Follow through with fingers pointed at the rim (the classic “gooseneck”).

5. Targeting

Pick one small target: the back of the rim, the center of the hoop, or a spot on the backboard for bank shots. Consistency beats aimless shooting.

Common mistakes (and how to fix them)

Shooting with the palm — move the ball to your fingertips.
Elbow flaring — keep it under the ball; practice form shots close to the basket.
No lower-body involvement — add leg drive cues: “knees and power” on every shot.
Rushing the shot — pause in your stance; breathe; then explode up.
Looking down at the ball — keep eyes on your target and trust your form.

Practice progressions (what to drill, in order)

A. Form shooting (5–10 mins)

Stand 3–5 feet from the rim. One hand only (if possible), perfect the release and follow-through.
Make 50–100 quality form shots per session eventually.

B. Spot shooting (10–20 mins)

Choose 5 spots: both blocks, both wings, top of the key.
Take 10 shots from each spot. Track makes. Focus on rhythm and consistent form.

C. Game-speed shooting (10–20 mins)

Catch-and-shoot off a pass, simulating a teammate’s feed.
Add a defender (passive at first) or a closeout to simulate pressure.

D. Off-the-dribble shooting (10 mins)

One or two dribbles into a pull-up. Practice both right- and left-hand finishes and step-backs.

E. Conditioning + shooting

Combine conditioning with shooting: sprint the length, touch a line, and immediately take a shot. Game fatigue changes your form—train for it.

Drills that build consistency

Form 100: 100 made form shots from close range, using only the shooting hand.
5-Spot: 5 spots, 10 makes at each before moving on.
Catch & Shoot Ladder: Start close, make 5, move back one step; climb back to three-point range.
Beat the Pro: Track makes vs. misses over time—set a score to beat each session.

Mental cues and routines

Have a pre-shot routine: two dribbles, breathe, set, shoot.
Use a single word cue: “smooth,” “soft,” or “board” (for bank shots).
Visualise the ball falling through the net before you shoot. Confidence is a skill you practice.

How often should you practice?

Quality over quantity: 30–90 focused minutes most days beats hours of unfocused reps.
Aim for daily short sessions (15–30 minutes) plus longer sessions 2–3 times per week.
Track improvement: log makes/attempts, and celebrate small gains.

Equipment & fit

Use the correct-size ball for age (youth sizes are smaller and improve control).
Practice in the shoes you usually wear for games — different soles change your footing.

Coach’s quick tip

“We tell players to practice like they play: get game-feet, get game-pace, and get game-reads. Don’t just shoot—read the defender, move your feet and make the shot look the same every time.” — Coach Amina, Bexley Tigers

Final word

Shooting is part art, part science. Nail the fundamentals, practice with purpose, and take the reps that count. If you build a clean, repeatable shot now, everything else in your game becomes easier — more space, more opportunities, more confidence.

Want this turned into a printable one-page coaching handout or a social-media carousel for Bexley Tigers? I can do that next.