How to Become a Good Jump Shooter

Co-authored by Ryan Tremblay

Last Updated: June 24, 2024

Hoping to perfect your jump shot before your next game? It's simpler than you think. A good jump shot is compact and has little or no extra movement—the key is focusing on the essential aspects of shooting form, and then practicing this form over and over again until it is automatic. We've put together plenty of tips and tricks to help you get started, so you can improve your jump shot in no time.

1

Start in a wide stance.

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Always make sure you are balanced when shooting.

2

Jump straight up.

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3

Explode upward and shoot the ball.

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4

Keep your elbow straight while you shoot.

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5

Flick your wrist straight.

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All of the ball's momentum and spin should come from your wrist. The power for the shot is provided by your legs.

6

Shoot the ball in a high arc.

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When shooting, think of your shot as going up and out. The balance of the two is what makes a jump shot go in.

7

Snap your wrist as you release the ball.

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This movement gives the ball backspin.

8

Focus on the BEEF acronoym.

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Remember to always face the basket and be balanced.

9

Land facing the rim.

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Expert Q&A

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Question

What else can I do to improve my basketball shooting skills?

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

To enhance your basketball shooting skills, maintain a confident mindset where the expectation is to make every shot. Shift your focus from the outcome to the execution itself. Concentrate on perfecting your shooting form, ensuring it looks impeccable. Emphasize the importance of believing in the shot's success; if you doubt it, the purpose of shooting diminishes. Eliminate uncertainties and concentrate on the execution, fostering a positive mentality that every shot will go in.

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Question

What should I do if I have a weak shooting-arm?

Community Answer

You need to do some pushups to get stronger.

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What can I do if I don't have the strength to shoot the basketball from far range?

Community Answer

Work on your leg strength. Your legs should provide all of the shot's power. Do leg exercises like squats and lunges.

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Tips

Practice your foul shooting with the same form as your jump shot. You will find that the jump shot and the foul shot help each other. If you are having trouble shooting your jump shot, go to the free-throw line and concentrate on replicating that form in your jump shot.

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When you make several shots in a row or swish a shot without touching the rim, remember the form you used and the mentality you had when you shot it. Try to replicate that shot and you will find that it happens more often.

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Develop a shooter's mentality. Don't choose to shoot, choose not to shoot. A good shooter takes every open shot but does not force shots that are not available.

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Warnings

A good jump shot will not come easily. It takes repetitive practice and good form to become an accurate shooter. You can't expect to make all of your shots.

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Shooting Drills

Start from 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) out from the rim and shoot about 25 shots that are made. As you start making these close range shots your confidence and form will both improve. After taking these shots, start shooting a bit further away from the rim in various positions on the court and make around 100 shots in practice. However, you must remember that you shouldn't feel as if your shot was forced. This happens when you start taking shots that are beyond your range. This will not only mess up your form but also make you less confident of your shot in game time situations.