How to Become a Better Basketball Shooter

Co-authored by Ryan Tremblay

Last Updated: October 6, 2024 Approved

If your goal is to play basketball on a team in high school, college, or even at a professional level, then becoming a better shooter is essential. The better you are at making shots, the better your chances of getting in the game. Regular, frequent practices can help you to improve your basketball shooting skills. There are different practice techniques that you can use to improve your shot accuracy, such as by practicing perfect form and running drills.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Practicing Perfect Form

Download Article

1
Practice catching in a shot-ready position. Catching the ball in a shot-ready (or athletic) position is a good way to improve your form. By being ready to shoot the ball when you catch it, rather than getting ready to shoot the ball after you catch it, you can improve the speed and accuracy of your shots.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- To get into a shot ready position, bend your knees slightly and hinge your body forward at the hips. You should look as if you are getting ready to jump in the air. This will provide you with some extra power when you make your shot.
- Having good form and being confident are the most important things you can do to improve your shot percentage.^{[2]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Ryan Tremblay
  Basketball Coach
  
  Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.}
2
Identify your most comfortable shot pocket. Your shot pocket is the position where you shoot the ball from and this is different for everyone. Try to identify the most comfortable shot pocket position for you and stick with that position.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- For example, you might feel most comfortable shooting from the center of your forehead, to the right of your head, or slightly above your head.
- Keep in mind that you don’t need to have the same shot pocket that other players do. Focus on what seems to work best for you.
Advertisement
3
Position yourself. The position of your arm, hand, and head can also influence the accuracy of your shots. Your shooting arm and hand should form a “C” shape when you are getting ready to shoot the ball. You can check yourself in a mirror or have a friend check you from the side.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Make sure that you are looking straight ahead as well.
- Keep your elbows bent and lift the ball above your nose before you release it.^{[5]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Ryan Tremblay
  Basketball Coach
  
  Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.}
4
Follow through and hold. When you shoot the ball, make sure that you follow through with your shot by snapping your elbow. Then, hold the position until the ball makes contact with the hoop and/or net. Following through and holding after you shoot the ball will help to improve your shot accuracy.^{[6]
X
Expert Source

Ryan Tremblay
Basketball Coach

Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.}
- Follow through with your body as well. Begin your shot in an athletic position, then spring up off of the floor as you shoot the ball.^{[7]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Ryan Tremblay
  Basketball Coach
  
  Expert Interview. 13 November 2020.} Keep your body in this extended position after you make the shot.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Running Elbow to Elbow Drills

Download Article

1
Stand on one leg. To do an elbow drill, you will need to start by making shots standing on one foot. Standing on one foot will help to improve your balance and it will increase the difficulty of your shots as well. Start by standing near the foul line and making a shot standing on one foot.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- You can stand on your left or right leg to start, but make sure that you switch legs halfway through your drill. Don’t just practice making shots on one leg.
2
Hold the ball with both hands. Standing on one foot should add enough of a challenge to start things off, so use both hands to make your shots when you first start doing elbow drills.^{[9]
X
Research source} Make sure that you keep your elbows in and point your fingers towards the center of the hoop as you make your shots.
- Also, remember to find your shot pocket, create a “C” shape, and follow through after you shoot.
3
Change spots as you shoot the ball. Shooting in one position may help you to master shooting from that spot, but it is a good idea to practice shooting from varied positions. Try to cycle through some different shooting positions to challenge yourself in different ways.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- For example, you could start out at the foul line, then move in and to the left of the hoop, then move to the right of the hoop, and then repeat the cycle.
Stephen Curry, Professional Basketball Player

Work hard to develop your shooting skills. "Shooting the ball is a part of the game. Everybody can shoot in their own way. Not everybody can make. But everybody can shoot."
4
Increase the difficulty when you feel ready. Move onto one-handed shots when you feel ready to increase the difficulty of your drills. Make sure that you use good form like you did with your two-handed shots. You may need to go slower until you perfect your form for one-handed shots.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- If your form is really suffering as a result of switching to one-handed shots, then you can always return to two-handed shots.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How do I improve my shooting percentage?

Ryan Tremblay
Basketball Coach
Ryan Tremblay is a Basketball Coach and the Owner of National Sports ID and STACK Basketball. With over 30 years of experience, Ryan specializes in basketball coaching, social media marketing, and website design. Ryan created the National Sports ID as a platform to verify the age/grade of youth athletes and STACK Basketball to inspire young athletes to grow into mature individuals and basketball players. Ryan was a First Team All-Decade basketball player in Bergen County and finished in the top 20 all-time leading scorers in the county’s history with 1,730 points. He went on to Caldwell University on a basketball scholarship where he was part of three championship teams. Ryan was a two-time All-Metropolitan, All-State, and All-Conference point guard and the all-time three-point leader in the school’s history, landing him in the Caldwell University Athletic Hall of Fame.

Ryan Tremblay

Basketball Coach

Expert Answer

You have to figure out the proper mechanics, fundamentals, and form. Do them over and over until they become a habit. Then, when you're doing it, you'll be able to tell when you have it perfect.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 8 Helpful 13
Question

What is the perfect basketball shooting form look like?

Ryan Tremblay
Basketball Coach
Ryan Tremblay is a Basketball Coach and the Owner of National Sports ID and STACK Basketball. With over 30 years of experience, Ryan specializes in basketball coaching, social media marketing, and website design. Ryan created the National Sports ID as a platform to verify the age/grade of youth athletes and STACK Basketball to inspire young athletes to grow into mature individuals and basketball players. Ryan was a First Team All-Decade basketball player in Bergen County and finished in the top 20 all-time leading scorers in the county’s history with 1,730 points. He went on to Caldwell University on a basketball scholarship where he was part of three championship teams. Ryan was a two-time All-Metropolitan, All-State, and All-Conference point guard and the all-time three-point leader in the school’s history, landing him in the Caldwell University Athletic Hall of Fame.

Ryan Tremblay

Basketball Coach

Expert Answer

Not everyone's shot will look exactly the same, but the best shooters do have similar characteristics. They shoot the ball over their nose, keep their elbows and knees bent, follow through, and get off the floor when they jump.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 17
Question

How do I become a better free throw shooter?

Community Answer

First relax. If you have a routine, then do the routine. After you do that, take a deep breath. Next, your free throw position should be the same position as your jumper. Then relax, bend your knees, and shoot. Follow through on every free throw you take. Make sure it has the same arc as your jumper.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 37 Helpful 162

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Reader Videos

Tips

Whenever you have free time, go outside and practice instead of watching TV all day.

Thanks
Helpful 5 Not Helpful 1
Keep track of the number of shots that you make during each practice session to determine how much you have improved.

Thanks
Helpful 4 Not Helpful 1
Practice often for best results.

Thanks
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 2

Show More Tips

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Build shooting confidence gradually. Start close to the basket and work outward over time. Extend your range only when your current distance feels solid.
Don't be discouraged by physical mistakes — basketball is meant to be fun, not perfect. Focus on the mental game and physical skills will follow.
Train your non-dominant hand as well through dribbling drills and shooting practice. Having ambidextrous skills will make you harder to defend.
Analyze video of your shots to identify areas for improvement. Count makes vs. misses and check your form. Make small tweaks as needed.
Add backspin for better arc and accuracy. The softer landing increases swish probability. Mastering spin takes practice but pays off.
Chase down your own rebounds to immediately attempt the shot again. Quick repetition reinforces skills.

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!