1. Power Source
You might think that since you shoot the jump shot with your arms that the power and range on this shot comes from same. While it does help the range on the jump shot a bit to have strong triceps muscles, the power and range come mostly from the legs. This is why it is so important to do squats and jump rope to strengthen the legs.
2. Perfect Form
Place your shooting hand on the logo and your other hand on the outside of the basketball to support it. Raise the ball straight up in front of your body; it should almost touch your nose as you raise it to shoot. Keep both elbows straight and do not allow them to open wider than shoulder width. As you raise the basketball gradually, move the support hand away. The basketball should not be touching the palm of the shooting hand as you rise to shoot. Bend the wrist back and use the fingers and upper hand to release the basketball at its highest point. Flip the wrist forward towards the basket as you release the shot.
3. Without Thinking
The jump shot should become so instinctive that you do not even have to think about its mechanics. A shooter accomplishes this by hours upon hours of practice. If a person asks a great shooter to describe the motion, chances are they can't, because they have practiced so much it is just second nature.
4. Still the Same
Everything from form to lower body position to landing spot must be the same to make a jump shot effective. It is often helpful to put a piece of tape on the court in the shape of a box and then take a jump shot to see where you land. If you land outside the box you're drifting on your jump shot. The jump shooter must go straight up and down. They never drift forward, backward or side-to-side.
5. Footwork
The feet provide the base for the jump shot. If the footwork is wrong at the beginning of the shot, even the best form will not help. The feet should be slightly less than shoulder width apart with both feet solidly on the court as the shooter bends the knees to begin the jump shot. One foot is barely in front of the other as the shooter steps into the shot off a pass or a dribble.
You might think that since you shoot the jump shot with your arms that the power and range on this shot comes from same. While it does help the range on the jump shot a bit to have strong triceps muscles, the power and range come mostly from the legs. This is why it is so important to do squats and jump rope to strengthen the legs.
2. Perfect Form
Place your shooting hand on the logo and your other hand on the outside of the basketball to support it. Raise the ball straight up in front of your body; it should almost touch your nose as you raise it to shoot. Keep both elbows straight and do not allow them to open wider than shoulder width. As you raise the basketball gradually, move the support hand away. The basketball should not be touching the palm of the shooting hand as you rise to shoot. Bend the wrist back and use the fingers and upper hand to release the basketball at its highest point. Flip the wrist forward towards the basket as you release the shot.
3. Without Thinking
The jump shot should become so instinctive that you do not even have to think about its mechanics. A shooter accomplishes this by hours upon hours of practice. If a person asks a great shooter to describe the motion, chances are they can't, because they have practiced so much it is just second nature.
4. Still the Same
Everything from form to lower body position to landing spot must be the same to make a jump shot effective. It is often helpful to put a piece of tape on the court in the shape of a box and then take a jump shot to see where you land. If you land outside the box you're drifting on your jump shot. The jump shooter must go straight up and down. They never drift forward, backward or side-to-side.
5. Footwork
The feet provide the base for the jump shot. If the footwork is wrong at the beginning of the shot, even the best form will not help. The feet should be slightly less than shoulder width apart with both feet solidly on the court as the shooter bends the knees to begin the jump shot. One foot is barely in front of the other as the shooter steps into the shot off a pass or a dribble.
