How to Shoot a Basketball free essay sample

Bend your knees comfortably so youre in position to jump as soon as you have the ball. Some people prefer a closed stance, in which their feet point squarely at the basket, while other prefer an open stance, with their feet pointing slightly toward the side of the basket opposite their shooting hand. For example, if youre right handed, an open stance would mean pointing your feet slightly toward the left side of the basket. Keep your stance in mind as you learn the art of shooting and begin to practice. Once you find the stance that suits you best, use it every single time. The goal is to get so used to the stance that you dont have to think about it before your feet take the right position to let a great shot fly. 2 Position the ball in your shot pocket. You shoot the ball from your shot pocket, located on the shooting side of your torso a few inches above your waist. We will write a custom essay sample on How to Shoot a Basketball or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The ball and your shooting eye should form a straight line to the basket. Holding the ball too high or too low greatly affects the accuracy of the shot. Make sure the ball is positioned right in the pocket, a comfortable launching point just above your waist. Position your elbow so its under the ball, not cocked to the side. Learn to position the ball in this same place every single time you get ready to take a shot. When someone passes you the ball, they should aim it right for your pocket. If you dont catch it there, you must position it there before you shoot. 3 Grip the ball correctly. Position your shooting hand so that your fingertips are perpendicular to the seams in the ball. This hand is responsible for launching the ball. Place your non-shooting hand on the side of the ball to act as a guide for the shot. Leave be a little space between your palm and the ball, so the ball will be able to roll off your fingertips with ease. The ball should sit on your finger pads. Spread your fingers wide so you have greater control over the ball. Taking the Shot 1 Push the ball upward with your shooting hand. Move the ball in a smooth motion from your shot pocket to eye level before launching it. Dont let the ball go behind your head or off to the side; shoot it in a fluid, forward motion. Your non-shooting hand serves only to guide the ball to keep it steady while your shooting hand exerts force. Straighten your knees and jump. Use your legs to help propel the ball by jumping upward while your shooting hand launches the ball. Move your legs, torso, and arms together in a coordinated fashion to take the shot. Dont jump forward or backward. Your feet should land in the same position where they started. Dont lean forward as you jump, either. If your body is balanced, you will jump straight up as you sho ot. 3 Release the ball. Just before you reach the height of your jump, release the