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Basketball Fundamentals: Shooting Form—Grip, Alignment, and Follow-Through

Capítulo 5

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Why Shooting Form Matters

A consistent jump shot is built on repeatable mechanics. When your grip is stable, your body is aligned, and your follow-through is clean, the ball leaves your hand on a predictable line with consistent backspin. Small errors (thumb pushing, elbow flaring, drifting sideways) create big misses because they change the ball’s angle and rotation.

Grip: How the Ball Sits in Your Hand

1) Shooting Hand Placement

Your shooting hand should be under the ball with the pads of your fingers controlling it. The ball should not be buried in your palm; a small air gap helps you generate clean backspin and a straight release.

Finger spread: comfortably wide, like holding a large orange.
Index/middle finger line: many shooters align the ball’s center with the index finger or the gap between index and middle finger for a straight release.
Wrist position: slightly cocked back so you can snap through the ball.

2) Guide Hand Placement (No Thumbs Pushing)

The guide hand stabilizes the ball on the side. It should not add force at release. A common mistake is the guide-hand thumb pushing the ball, creating side spin and misses left/right.

Guide hand on the side: fingers pointing up, thumb relaxed.
Separation at release: guide hand comes off as the shooting hand begins the final extension.

Quick Self-Checks for Grip

Spin test: shoot one-handed from close range; the ball should have clean backspin (no wobble).
Thumb check: after release, your guide-hand thumb should not be pointed toward the rim as if it pushed the ball.

Alignment: Building a Straight Shot Line

1) Shot Line: Eye → Elbow → Wrist → Rim

Think of a straight “shot line” from your shooting eye through your forearm to the rim. Your forearm should be vertical at release, and your elbow should track under the ball rather than swinging outward.

Elbow: under the ball, not flared wide.
Forearm: vertical at the moment of release.
Wrist: snaps straight down through the center of the ball.

2) Shoulder and Hip Alignment

Most players shoot best with a slight turn rather than being perfectly square. A small angle (often called a “natural turn”) allows the shooting elbow to align under the ball more comfortably.

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Feet/hips: slightly angled so your shooting-side hip is a bit closer to the rim.
Shoulders: match the hips; avoid twisting mid-shot.
Head: level and still; eyes locked on a target (front rim, back rim, or center—pick one and stay consistent).

3) Ball Path: From Set Point to Release

Bring the ball up smoothly to a consistent set point (often around chin to eye level). The ball should travel on a compact path, not looping behind your head or swinging across your body.

Set point: consistent height and position every rep.
Keep it tight: ball stays in front of your shooting shoulder.

Follow-Through: The Finish That Controls Arc and Spin

Key Follow-Through Cues

“Reach into the cookie jar”: fingers finish down and forward, wrist relaxed.
Hold your finish: freeze the follow-through until the ball hits the rim/net to build consistency.
Finger direction: index and middle finger typically finish pointing at the target.

Arc and Touch

Good follow-through helps create a higher, softer arc and clean backspin. If your shot is flat, you may be cutting off your extension or flicking from the elbow instead of extending through the wrist and fingers.

Miss Pattern	Common Cause	Simple Fix
Misses left/right	Guide-hand thumb push or elbow drifting	One-hand form shots; keep guide hand relaxed and off at release
Flat shots	Not finishing high; stopping the wrist	Hold follow-through; “reach up then snap”
Short misses	Low arc, weak legs/transfer, or releasing too early	Finish higher; keep smooth upward energy into release
Long misses	Overpowering with arm; leaning back	Stay tall; let legs and timing provide power, not a hard push

Step-by-Step: Building Your Shot From the Ground Up (Without Re-teaching Footwork)

Use this sequence as a checklist for each rep. The goal is identical mechanics whether you are close or far.

Grip: shooting hand under the ball with finger-pad control; guide hand on the side.
Set point: bring the ball to the same spot every time (chin-to-eye area for many players).
Alignment: forearm vertical; elbow under the ball; slight natural turn is fine.
Upward motion: smooth rise; avoid pausing and then “heaving.”
Release: extend up; snap wrist; guide hand releases without pushing.
Follow-through: fingers down; hold the finish; watch the ball’s rotation and flight.

Form-Shooting Progression (Practical Drill Ladder)

Drill 1: One-Hand Form Shots (Close Range)

Purpose: train a straight release and clean backspin without guide-hand interference.

Stand close to the basket (about 3–6 feet).
Shoot with only your shooting hand; keep the off-hand behind your back or at your side.
Focus on vertical forearm, soft touch, and a held follow-through.
Goal: 20 makes with consistent backspin and minimal side wobble.

Drill 2: Two-Hand Set Shots (Guide Hand Discipline)

Purpose: add the guide hand without letting it push.

Same close range.
Place the guide hand lightly; imagine it is “just a stand.”
On release, feel the guide hand come off as the shooting hand finishes.
Goal: 20 makes; check that misses aren’t consistently left/right.

Drill 3: Spot Form Series (5 Spots, Same Mechanics)

Purpose: keep alignment and follow-through consistent as the angle changes.

Shoot from five close spots: left baseline, left mid, center, right mid, right baseline.
Take 5 makes at each spot before moving on.
Coaching cue: keep your set point and follow-through identical at every spot.

Drill 4: Arc and Rotation Feedback

Purpose: learn what a “good miss” looks like and how to adjust.

Shoot 10 reps focusing only on backspin (clean rotation).
Shoot 10 reps focusing only on finish height (high reach, relaxed wrist).
Shoot 10 reps combining both.

Common Form Errors and Corrections

Guide-Hand Thumb Push

What it looks like: ball spins sideways; misses often drift to your shooting-hand side or opposite depending on the push.

Fix: practice one-hand shots; then add guide hand with “thumb off” awareness (keep the guide thumb relaxed and not pointing toward the rim at finish).

Elbow Flare

What it looks like: elbow points outward; ball comes off the side of the hand.

Fix: shoot close and exaggerate forearm vertical; think “elbow under the ball” rather than “elbow in.”

Inconsistent Set Point

What it looks like: some shots release from the forehead, others from the chest; timing changes and accuracy drops.

Fix: pause briefly at the set point during close-range reps (a controlled “check” pause), then remove the pause once it’s consistent.

Fading or Leaning Back

What it looks like: shots come up short/long unpredictably; arc changes.

Fix: keep your chest tall and finish straight up; hold your landing balanced and in line with your takeoff.

Quick Practice Plan (10–15 Minutes)

2 minutes: one-hand form shots (aim for clean backspin).
4 minutes: two-hand close shots (guide-hand discipline, hold finish).
6 minutes: 5-spot form series (5 makes each spot).
2 minutes: “make-and-hold” challenge: every make must include a frozen follow-through until the ball hits.

Now answer the exercise about the content:

A player’s shots are consistently missing left and right. Which adjustment best matches the recommended correction?

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You missed! Try again.

Left/right misses are often caused by a guide-hand thumb push or the elbow drifting. One-hand form shots help remove guide-hand interference, then you add the guide hand lightly and ensure it releases without pushing.