How To Shoot (Teaching Shooting) a Basketball Correctly Pro Shot Shooting System

The skill of shooting is arguably the most important part of basketball.  To win, you have to be able to put the ball in the basket.

Watching LeBron James, Giannis Antentenkompa and other high flyers is fun, but guys like Steph Curry and Klay Thompson have changed the game with the way that they shoot the ball.

Learning how to teach shooting and learning the proper way to shoot is as important as any other aspect of the game.  

YouTube is littered with 'how to' shooting videos.  Pro Shot Shooting System is a well-researched approach to learning how to shoot and for teaching how to shoot.  I have a few of the basic videos below to help get you started on how to shoot the right way, according to their system, and a systematic approach to teaching shooting for coaches and trainers.

These 1st 3 videos give you a good starting point: 

1 - Your shooting stance
2 - Your shooting rhythm
3 - Your follow through
4 - Your eyes on the follow through

The Turn (Your Stance)

This video breaks down your stance and where your feet should point when you shoot.  He says we should stand with our lead foot pointing to the basket with the other trailing in a staggered stance, like a boxer.  In other words, a players hips and shoulders are turned.

 

The Dip

This video talks about the rhythm that you have to have to shoot.  You create it by doing a small dip of the ball before you shoot.  Off the dribble, rhythm is created by the dribble itself, but off the pass and catch, the rhythm needs to be created by the shooter by dipping the ball lower than the catch before quickly rising the ball into the shooting motion to have a more comfort and power.

The Finger Follow Through

This video talks about the follow through release.  I have always been a two finger shooter.  I was taught that the ball should roll off your index and middle finger last to guide the ball to the basket:

The Pro Shot System teaches shooting off your index finger.  You will be able to consistently lock in on your target because your index finger is your straightest and strongest finger.  It will allow balance and support grip in the middle of the ball, and is ultimately the easiest way to lock in on your target and shoot straight every time.

The Offhand

The offhand is the glue to shooting and guides the ball to the target while balancing the shooter's upper body and release.  Three things that your offhand need to do are: 1) Stay narrow to the release and follow through 2) Elbow is raised and points away 3) Offhand shoulder is back and un-involved in the shot.  These 3 things keep the offhand aligned, relaxed and helps balance the shooter throughout the shooting process.

Your Eyes

The video below talks about what your eyes should do on the release.  I was always taught to keep your eyes on the basket, but this video teaches to watch the ball so that you can correct misses.  This is a checkpoint to make sure that you are shooting in line with the rim.  Feedback is a must, so glance up to follow the release and the flight of the ball.

The A.R.T. of Teaching Shooting
A tool for coaches, players and parents to help guide you through the shooting system.

A - Accuracy.  Fixing left and right misses.
R - Rhythm.  Get power and get rid of stiffness.  Be a fluid shooter.

T - Transitions.  Addressing individual needs like speed, balance, and fluidity and putting it all together.

The 3 Shooting Secrets of GREAT Shooters

The video below just outlines and gives examples of the 3 main points to their system:

1) The Sway
2) The Dip
3) The Turn