In order to play basketball well, you need to be able to throw the ball correctly. Basically, basketball is a fairly simple game: you just need to hit the ball into a ring with a net called the basket. However, as the players progressed and improved their skill, the need arose to hit the ball into the basket from a greater distance. It is not necessary to be unusually tall by nature, you can learn how to properly throw the ball into the basket, having an average height. By training and staying fit, you can become the leader of your team!
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Correct Posture
Step 1. Stand facing the basket with your feet shoulder-width apart and slightly bent at the knees
The dominant leg should be put slightly forward. The dominant foot is on the same side as the hand you are throwing - if you are right-handed, this will be the right foot. Feet should be shoulder-width apart and directed towards the basket.
Step 2. Bend your knees slightly
This will make it easier for you to keep your balance. Try to stand in such a way that it is comfortable to jump up as soon as the ball is thrown to you.
Once you start practicing your throw, keep an eye on your stance. Once you have found a position that is most comfortable for you, take it every time. The goal is to get used to this position so that you will automatically assume it every time you are about to throw the ball into the basket
Step 3. For more energy to throw, bend your knees more strongly
If you want to throw the ball further away, try to provide the necessary throwing power by adopting a suitable posture. The throw will be less smooth and accurate if you are using only the muscles of the arms and chest. Instead, while maintaining stability, bend your knees tighter, lifting your heels slightly off the floor. Practice getting into the correct position without throwing the ball.
Part 2 of 4: How to Handle the Ball
Step 1. Take the ball in preparation for the throw
Hold the ball a few inches above your waist with your dominant hand. The ball and your aiming eye (on the same side as the dominant hand) should be in a straight line between you and the basket.
Step 2. Keep your elbow so that it is under the ball, do not tilt it to the side
Learn to hold the ball in this position every time you prepare to shoot. When someone passes the ball to you, have him try to throw it in that exact spot. If you were unable to catch the ball there, immediately move it to that position before shooting.
Step 3. Grab the ball correctly
Hold it with your throwing hand so that your fingertips are perpendicular to the seams of the ball. This hand is responsible for throwing the ball. Bring your other hand to the side of the ball, guiding the ball when throwing. When preparing for the throw, the auxiliary hand should not touch the ball with the whole palm, you should only hold the ball with your fingertips.
There must be some space between the palm of your non-dominant hand and the ball so that the ball can rotate freely. Support it with your fingertips. Spread your fingers wider for a tighter grip on the ball
Part 3 of 4: Throw
Step 1. Define a goal
If you are going to hit the ball directly into the net, you should be looking at the net. If you want the ball to fly into the basket, bouncing off the backboard, focus on the backboard behind the basket. Your eyes play an extremely important role in a successful shot. Do not follow the flight of the ball or look down to see if you are in the correct posture.
Step 2. Extend your knees by jumping
Use your feet to kick-start the ball by bouncing upward as you throw it. When throwing the ball, make coordinated movements with your legs, torso and arms.
Step 3. When throwing, jump slightly forward
After the jump, your feet should not land exactly where they were before the throw, otherwise it will cause a lot of tension in your shoulders and neck. Jumping slightly forward will also provide the correct trajectory for the ball.
Do not lean forward when jumping. If your body is in balance, do not change the natural posture when jumping and do not strain - in this case, the throw will come out more balanced
Step 4. With the throwing hand, push the ball up
While your legs are straightened and you begin to jump, with a smooth movement, raise the ball to eye level. Remember to move smoothly. At the same time, raise the elbow of your hand with the ball and straighten your knees.
Don't let the ball go behind your head or stray to the side. Throw it in a smooth forward and upward motion. While applying the main force of the throw with the dominant hand, guide the ball with the auxiliary hand, holding it
Step 5. Release the ball
A moment before you reach the highest point of your jump, throw the ball into the basket. Straighten your elbow and use the wrist of your throwing hand to move the ball in an arc rather than a straight line. Having thrown the ball, you should lower your non-throwing hand.
The ball should sort of roll out of your fingers towards the basket. You can tell whether you threw the ball correctly by the way it spins: if the lines on it rotate symmetrically, then the throw went well
Step 6. Maintain the correct position immediately after the throw
This is extremely important when shooting basketball. If you drop your hand immediately after the ball leaves it, the shot will be inaccurate. Immediately after the throw, your dominant hand should resemble a swan's neck: the arm is elegantly curved towards the basket, the wrist is relaxed, and the fingers point to the ring. This is called walking the ball with your hand.
Part 4 of 4: Improving Technique
Step 1. Develop motor memory
Basketball is a fast game and you won't have time to think about how you shoot while the clock counts down the last seconds of the game and your opponents try to take the ball away from you. You should practice throwing the ball as often as possible so that all movements - from positioning to jumping and throwing - are natural and effortless.
Practice throwing the ball from a wide variety of angles. Throw the ball into the basket from all sides and from different distances using the same throwing technique, no matter how close you are to the basket
Step 2. Practice free throws
Free throws or free throws are taken from the foul line 4.5 m (15 feet) from the basket. From this distance it is very good and convenient to practice throws, and since there is a shield behind the basket, the ball will more often bounce from it to you, so you almost never have to run after it.
Step 3. Learn to use the shield
It can be very helpful, especially if you are close to the basket. To get into the square above the ring, different methods are used, depending on where you are in the penalty area. Generally, if you are in the right half of the penalty area, aim for the upper right corner of the square. Conversely, if you are in the left half of the court, aim the ball in the upper left corner of the square above the ring.
Use your shield when dribbling the ball from under the basket while dribbling instead of standing still
Step 4. Train in the conditions of the game
After you feel that you are getting good shots, start playing with your friends or join a team. Making throws during the game is much more difficult than throwing the ball alone on the court in your yard: in the game you need to constantly dodge, avoid interceptions, follow the strategy outlined by the coach, and interact with partners. However, if you stick to the correct technique and shoot automatically, you will start earning points for your team in no time.
Advice
- How far you can throw the ball depends on your feet. Be sure to use your entire body when throwing, not just your arms.
- Practice throwing with your dominant hand only. Standing in front of the ring, constantly throw the ball with it. Use your other hand only to hold the ball without pushing it with it.
- Use your arms to guide the ball and your whole body to give it momentum.
- Always lower the ball towards the waist before throwing, unless you are throwing in motion or the ball is no longer at the bottom. By lowering the ball slightly, you will set the right pace, the throw will come out naturally and less stress; it will also help you if you have difficulty shooting from a distance.