Individual shooting types

Basketball shooting belongs among other motion structures to the most difficult ones. From the point of coordination it is quite complicated movement, demanding precise performance. Every shortcoming of technique affects the shooting percentage. Unconditionally, it is every coach’s obligation to secure precise implementation. If any shortcoming comes during the essential practising, it is very hard to remove it in the future.

Exercise methodology:

First, we start practising without baskets, lying on the back or standing. Players throw ball from bottom upwards trying to perform high arc with reverse rotation so that ball comes back to the player. We use a heavy basketball (Tigar weighted 0,8 /1,0 /1,2 kg). We start with basket shoot from side of stronger hand in angle of 45° from 1,5m distance using bank shot.

As soon as players cope with technical practise, we can move forward but during the training period the repetition of these basics is necessary.

In other stage we extend the distance and incorporate jump shot from still position, then from dribbling and jump-stop, from running by stride stop and then the same but after receiving the pass.

In the modern concept of shooting in basketball we prefer shot after stride stop. Foot-work highly influences the shooting percentage. According to a number of basketball experts stride stop can be limiting, stride stop before shot must comply with all rules mentioned above and has to be coordinated with previous and following action of the player.

After dribbling and stride stop but before the shot the player has to parallel his foot up to the right position in direction of the basket. After ball receiving player goes from low stance and fluently continues up with the ball during the same time the foot goes upright to the jump.

Opposite to the formal theories it is not recommended to finish shot at the jump top, but during the up going phase of jump because of easier defence breaking. Similar rules apply for shot after receiving the pass. For right-handed player there is a movement rule left-right feet for right side drive and right-left feet for the left one. Both feet point upright at the basket and the right foot is slightly in a front. For left-handed players the mirror sequence applies. Together the hand-work must be secured before receiving the pass; the arms should point to the prospective way of shot; slightly up to the face and after the receiving they should not to go under but continue in the upward movement. The player’s obligation is to mark the target for passing by arms slightly bent and elbows in front of face. As a basic shooting exercise the Mikan’s drill can be used. In this exercise especially the arms and legs coordination is practised. Players practise hook shot from left and right side.

In the technique description we focus on overhead one-hand shot which is undoubtedly essential for jump-stop shot (Fig. 40).

Fig. 40: One-hand jump shot

• In the technique description we focus on overhead one-hand shot which is undoubtedly essential for jump-stop shot (Fig. 40).

  Basics of shooting is a stabile stance, centre of gravity slightly in front, feet at level of shoulders; foot on the side of shooting arm should be lightly in the front; ball is hold above a head so the palm is under the ball, elbow in the line not standing out; hold the ball with fingertips and “calluses”, opposite hand is only used to help balance the ball with fingers up. Both feet upright to the basket, on shoulder level, foot on the side of shooting arm is lightly in the front. Knees slightly bent, head up, ball next to the head so that both eyes can see the basket.

  Movement before shot is fluent and comes from bent legs then goes up to straighten knees which imperceptibly goes before straightening of elbow and proper wrist move. Fingers are in touch with ball last (middle-finger) which gives ball the reverse rotation.

  After shot the arm keeps straighten for a short while with wrist lowered. Helping arm disconnects from ball before ball leaving shooting hand staying loosely in space. If we wants to achieve correct executing of all pivot’s shooting in basketball, we have to start just with one-hand jump shot. During the practise we go step by step and in any case we cannot ignore any technical inaccuracy in exercising. That’s why we have to continuously correct and point out any shortcomings.

• Other type of shooting is a lay-up (drive to the basket finishing with a one-handed shot)

  Similar as in basic shot, also in lay-up practise we try focusing on correct technical realization and sequence. We start with side lay-up from the side by overhead shot; finishing with bank shot. As an aid for good feet movement can serve the labels on the floor in proper distance from the basket. (Janík, Pětivlas, 2004). We secure correct harmonization of head, shoulders, knees and arms movement. Head should be in upright position; look to the basket, closer shoulder should be in a front in the direction of the move, knees parallel to shooting arm points upright; arm is straighten in elbow and wrist lowered.

  Continually, after relative understanding of basic way of finishing, we add more kinds. It is very important to devote time to both hands (relatively more to weak hand) from the beginning of shooting training. Among other things when lay-up practising it is necessary to seek correct ball handling (Fig. 41, 42).

Fig. 41, 42: Ball possession for the lay-up

• Finishing player has to significantly cover the ball from the defender through whole lay-up till the final part. After technical comprehension we add to training actions prior to lay-up. We practise lay-ups after pass, change of dribbling direction, continuously adding the defender.

Hook shot (Fig. 43, 44) – (Overhead shot after one-foot jump)

• Between following ways of finishing we find:

Fig. 45: Semi – hook shot

• Semi – hook shot (Fig. 45) – (Overhead shot after two-feet jump from slightly bent arm in side posture). It is the type of finishing when during the right side shooting right foot goes very closely in front of left one in the direction of basket and the player finishes the shot side to the basket; finishing by nearly straighten arm; left arm covers the ball and left shoulder is in the direction of the move – in front. From left side it is reverse structure of movement.

• Power lay-up – (both legs shot stride stop)

• Reverse lay-up (Shot after crosses under the basket) – when right finishing sequence right-left-right is retained; shot by right hand closest up to the basket, body turns inside the court. From left side it is reverse structure of movement.

• Finishing from first step by inner hand (underhand)

• Shooting after diverse turns (Fig. 29–34)

• Dunk (Fig. 46) – stuff shot

(Fig. 46) Dunk – stuff shot

Exercises for shooting improvement in the paint

Exercise description

Two players, 5 basketballs, balls spaced in the paint (Fig. 47); First Player gathers a ball and shoot from short distance without using dribbling. After shot he continues immediately to the other ball. Second player rebounds and puts ball back. Player has to concentrate on placing of pivot foot close to the basket.

Exercise description 2

5 players, 3 forwards, 2 static defenders (can be replaced by clubs), 1 ball; Player no. 2 is in middle-post back to the basket. Exercise starts with pass from player no. 1 to player 2, which continues with overhead pass to player no. 3. Player no. 2 together with ball flight does step to the middle dropping the defender – (club, chair), receive re-pass from player no. 3 and finish by hook shot, with following rebound and pass to player no. 3. Player no. 1 and 3 change the positions in the paint; exercise goes on with pass from player no. 3 to player no. 2 (Fig. 48).

Exercise description 3

7 players, 5 balls; Players are standing in two lines player no. 3 standing back to the basket on the edge of the paint. Player no. 1 sprints to the corner of the paint, player no. 2 passes to the player no. 1, and player no. 3 makes reverse turn together with ball flight receiving ball from player no. 3 (variation of passes: lob, bounce) and shoot from short distance. Player no. 1 after pass immediately runs to the opposite corner of the paint and shoot after pass from player no. 4. Player 1 and 4 makes offensive rebound and lines up to the opposite line (Fig. 49).

Critical parts:

• Instable posture
• Backward bend
• Narrow base
• Ball held behind head
• Elbow standing out of the axis
• Ball is not on “calluses” and fingers
• Opposite hand does not balance the ball from the side, fingers do not point up
• Movement before shot is not fluent – not coming from bend legs and not going upwards
• Arm not extended in the elbow
• No low wrist, when last contact with ball has middle-finger, which gives ball reverse rotation.