I Need Some Advice On Pull-up Jumpers

[Venom]

I'm not sure how high I should jump when I shoot, or at what point to release the ball. I'm most comfortable just barely getting off the ground on my jumpers, but that doesn't give me enough elevation to shoot over a defender. Any advice or videos would be helpful.

[623baller]

plant your feet and bend your knees and explode up (make sure you get a lift off using your lower body), you should jump at a comfortable height and release a shot at the highest point of your jump (most likely not your max standing vert).
it should feel smooth, go slow if you cant do it. i think a lot of guys try to jump as high as their can which end up being awkward. i think with practice you can eventually reach a pretty good lift off but go slow and build it up.

another thing is you see a lota guys fading to the left or right because they couldnt stop their forward momentum , if you want to go straight up, you almost have to jump up the opposite direction. for example, you are driving right hard and you want to pull up, you've want to jump like you are leaning left so you end up going vertically up instead of fading right which throws your balance off

[Venom]

Thanks, you know your stuff. Glad to have another poster in the streetball forum.

[carpevicis]

I'm not sure how high I should jump when I shoot, or at what point to release the ball. I'm most comfortable just barely getting off the ground on my jumpers, but that doesn't give me enough elevation to shoot over a defender. Any advice or videos would be helpful.

I've been slowly trying to integrate the mid range pull up to my game, and the way I do it is to drive one way, then plant my inside foot and use that as my control/pivot foot. So if I drove right, I would stop hard on my left foot. Then I jump up and occasionally fade if I need to.

You should always try to be comfortable when shooting, but if you don't get enough elevation, you have no choice but to adapt. I don't jump that high on my shots but when game time comes around I jump as high as needed and adjust arc to compensate.

[SourPatchKids]

I think your release has to be at the highest point of your jump. Then it will be a quick shot like Curry's.

[Venom]

I think your release has to be at the highest point of your jump. Then it will be a quick shot like Curry's.

Dell Curry or Stephen Curry? My release isn't as quick as Stephen's. It's more like Brandon Jennings'. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eubvQRVwLZY#t=0m35s

[1manfastbreak]

on a footwork note, if you come to a 1-2 stop, you have already determined a pivot foot, if you come to a jump stop, then you have either foot to attack with.

[Swaggin916]

A jumper just takes practice man. If you are used to set shot it's going to feel awkward... but a jump shot is not really about jumping high, it's more about rhythm. If you look at Ray Allen's jumper, it's a quick hop, and then a quick release. He needs a quick release because he is not very good at creating space so his shot needs to be out of his hands quickly. Just know who you are... if you are space creator, then you can be more creative with your jumper... if not, then work on having a quicker release with a simple hop. You shouldn't be tired on your jumpers... you should be able to do them over and over.

[623baller]

Thanks, you know your stuff. Glad to have another poster in the streetball forum.


no problem, this might also help you, when you are driving, before you pull up, take a hard dribble so the ball bounces up with you instead of you trying to bend down and pick the ball up which can increase how fast you go up for the pull up. i know some people do this and a lota of dunkers who cant palm the ball do this as well, i think really you just need to find what's most comfortable to you , keep experimenting, you'll find the right mix

[NotYetGreat]

I think you should work on being able to elevate on your shots while having a certain rhythm. What most people try to do on their shot is jump really high so they get over the defender, which is good and all, but once they're in the air, they pause for a longer time than they should, and thus, they lose the power they need for the shot and they'll end up being short or compensating for the lost power by making their arms do the work, which more often than not will make them twitch. In my opinion, you'll have to work on finding your rhythm and being able to jump high enough for you to get over the defender before you can really master the pull-up.

Now, as for the pull-up itself, I always try to remember these things:

1) Use the 1-2 step and take one hard dribble before you take your shot.
2) Get low a bit so that your momentum going to one direction will be translated into upwards momentum, which will propel you more upwards than leaning to one side.
3) Time your release.

That's all I try to remember when practicing my pull-up. These things really help me establish my rhythm on the pull-up. But as always, keep trying to find what's more comfortable for you, because what works for someone doesn't always work for everyone. Hope this helps! :cheerS:

[scm5]

You need spacing.

To get the spacing you need, what you should do is dribble to your sweet spot, give them a little bump (don't lower your shoulder, just make sure there's solid contact). This should freeze them for a little bit and let you elevate. It also makes it harder for them to elevate to contest your shot after a solid bump.

I don't know how tall you are, but unless they're a lot taller or more athletic than you, you should be able to get off a good look with the bump.

[PowerGlove]

on a footwork note, if you come to a 1-2 stop, you have already determined a pivot foot, if you come to a jump stop, then you have either foot to attack with.
I usually come to a 1-2 stop with the foot opposite the side of the floor I'm on.

[devin112]

You need spacing.

To get the spacing you need, what you should do is dribble to your sweet spot, give them a little bump (don't lower your shoulder, just make sure there's solid contact). This should freeze them for a little bit and let you elevate. It also makes it harder for them to elevate to contest your shot after a solid bump.

I don't know how tall you are, but unless they're a lot taller or more athletic than you, you should be able to get off a good look with the bump.
+1
don't change ur shot it'll throw off ur feel or touch which is really important fading away. Work on spacing so u can take a good shot.

[a rock]

The stepback move that paul pierce always uses is very efficient for creating space.

[devin112]

yeah definitely improve spacing versus mess w/ altering ur natural shot

[JustinJDW]

Yeah, I'm trying to work on my Pul-Up jumper too. Pull-Up jumpers, mid-range jumpers and shooting off the dribble are the main things I'm working on this Summer. I'm a great stand still shooter, but I want to become a better overall shooter.

I'm really good at cutting screens and moving off the ball, so I'm trying to utilize that talent by working on my mid-range game. Pull-up jumpers and shots of the dribble. That kind of thing.

It takes serious practice. You got to get up high. My shots different with pull-up jumpers. (Probably not a good thing, but I said I'm workin on it, lol). You got to plant your feet and get up high. Then of course, you have to time that release. But the hardest part for me is body control after the jump. Thats the key to pull up jumpers.

[JMT]

I'm not sure how high I should jump when I shoot, or at what point to release the ball. I'm most comfortable just barely getting off the ground on my jumpers, but that doesn't give me enough elevation to shoot over a defender. Any advice or videos would be helpful.

Beating the defender to your spot, jumping quickly and under control, getting square to the rim, and a quick release are more important than how high you jump.

I know some folks advocate the hard dribble, but a really good defender will key off that.

Offense in basketball is like playing WR in football. You know...or should know... where you're going. The defender doesn't. Unless you're seriously undersized for your position on the floor, you don't need lots of tricks to create necessary separation.

Practice to make sure you jump straight up off your plant regardless of the direction you're moving. High Jumpers use the trick of running full speed, turning, planting and jumping to touch a point (ball suspended by a string works well) at the desired height directly above their plant mark. Work on being able to do that, jumping and landing inside a circle you've drawn at the spot of your plant. You can do it repeatedly without a ball or hoop just to get the mechanics.

It's all about converting horizontal speed into vertical thrust while remaining under control, eyes focused, shoulders square. Make the run/plant/jump motion so second nature that you don't have to think about it. Then your natural jumper will flow.

Work hard. Good luck. You'll be surprised to find the harder you work, the luckier you'll get.

[scm5]

I have about a 30 inch standing vertical which I think is decent. I don't get up very high at ALL on my jumpers because it never felt very comfortable to do so. As a result, my shots were sometimes easily blocked.

However, I have since changed my pull back and release points to higher over my head and rarely get blocked anymore. Something I've noticed since changing my release, I actually naturally elevate a little higher now because of the higher release. Not much higher, but slightly.

This is my reasoning:

My shot naturally takes longer now, I have to elevate it higher over my head before I shoot. Because of this, I have compensated on pull up jumpers by pulling my arms up faster than usual, creating more upwards momentum than I normally get.

In my original shot, only about 1/4 of the ball was actually directly over my head. My shot now has the entire ball directly over my head at it's furthest point in the "**** back" motion of the jumper.

[Birmingham1955]

I'm not sure how high I should jump when I shoot, or at what point to release the ball. I'm most comfortable just barely getting off the ground on my jumpers, but that doesn't give me enough elevation to shoot over a defender. Any advice or videos would be helpful.

Jumping on a jump shot is overrated. A prime example is Stephon Curry, he is arguably the best shooter in the NBA. At just 6'3, isn't that athlete for an NBA player. He barely gets off the ground for his jump shots, and don't even think he gets off the ground, but he has one of the sweetest fastest releases you can imagine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRXGgMg2Mfs&feature=related

[carpevicis]

I have about a 30 inch standing vertical which I think is decent. I don't get up very high at ALL on my jumpers because it never felt very comfortable to do so. As a result, my shots were sometimes easily blocked.

In my original shot, only about 1/4 of the ball was actually directly over my head. My shot now has the entire ball directly over my head at it's furthest point in the "**** back" motion of the jumper.

I'm exactly the same. I have the same vertical but when jumping for a shot I'm below 6 inches. I hold the ball pretty high, but not too high. It's above my forehead, probably around the OJ Mayo height.



Jumping on a jump shot is overrated. A prime example is Stephon Curry, he is arguably the best shooter in the NBA. At just 6'3, isn't that athlete for an NBA player. He barely gets off the ground for his jump shots, and don't even think he gets off the ground, but he has one of the sweetest fastest releases you can imagine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRXGgMg2Mfs&feature=related

That vid was nice, his shot looks so fluid. After seeing that I also looked for a video on Monta Ellis's shot, it's quick also and not too high off the ground. Keep in mind that Ellis is an incredible athlete also, but he doesn't jump too high when shooting.

[thejumpa]

Jumping on a jump shot is overrated. A prime example is Stephon Curry, he is arguably the best shooter in the NBA. At just 6'3, isn't that athlete for an NBA player. He barely gets off the ground for his jump shots, and don't even think he gets off the ground, but he has one of the sweetest fastest releases you can imagine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRXGgMg2Mfs&feature=related

Huh? For 99% of the ballers out there, jumping on a jumpshot is pretty important. If you don't, youre a set shooter who needs to spot up. Low elevation on your shot means it's tougher to shoot over defenders and you essentially become easier to guard. Steph Curry is a horrible example because he has practiced that technique for years and is in the NBA. And he's not that short either. There is a reason why no one else in the league shoots like that.

OP...I use to shoot with little elevation but it got to the point where my shot was inconsistent, kinda flat, and I kept getting blocked by guys 2-3 inches shorter than me. After I started to get my legs underneath me, it helped me like crazy. I try to release the ball at the peak of my jump and it has made my shot 100x more smooth and consistent. I read somewhere that MJ use to jump 30" of the ground at times for his jumper. Obviously I can't do that but I really do try to jump as high as I can. It helps me knock down pull up J's, spot up shots, off the dribble....whatever. Even catch and shoots. Working out your calves/legs is must....

Of course, this could just be me so IDK. All I know is that my brother shoots with no elevation and if I stay with him(he's quicker), it makes him so much easier to guard and his shot easier to contest. I play with guys who are the same height as him (5'10), WITH elevation....and it's a world of difference. Much harder to guard and contest.

[Ghettobird]

good read

[mjkittredge]

Make sure you look at the rim before you start the shooting motion. Remember that after picking up the dribble you can take two steps in any direction - sometimes I take two short really quick ones just to get my balance & stability before jumping. You may want to go straight up once you pick up the dribble for speed if that gives you an advantage against the defense. If the defense is playing you tight and is trying to block you, like others here have said, put it up above or behind your head so you get a high release - much harder to block that way. If that type of shot doesn't work for you, a fast release is another good way to beat the defense. I've had shorter players get off shots in my face just because they had really fast releases on their pull up jumpers - by the time I realized they were shooting and started to lunge in and put my hand up the ball had already left their hand and it was too late.

I'd recommend shooting as you're still going up with your jump. Once you reach the apex (highest point) of your jump you lose your upwards momentum which often makes players shots come up short and have very little arc on them. If you're moving in a direction other than straight up, it can help to try and bank the shot in off the glass. I also like to pick a spot on the floor to get to for the pull up, like the left side from an angle. Smart defenders try to force right handed players to go left, but if you're comfortable going left you've got the advantage.

The great thing about pull up jumpers is that a lot of times the defense will give it to you and fall back to protect the basket from layups. So if you can consistently make them the defender has to choose between playing you tight and potentially giving up the drive or hoping you start to miss and this will open up more options for you. Take what the defense gives you.

[jerzymade]

you have to stay low always. For one thing you will have better control of the dribble because your low. You will have a better base. And you will have a better explosion form your knees rather than if you were upright. SO just stay low and work on you footwork and balance and it really is, is balance.

[lilojmayo]

Yeah, I'm trying to work on my Pul-Up jumper too. Pull-Up jumpers, mid-range jumpers and shooting off the dribble are the main things I'm working on this Summer. I'm a great stand still shooter, but I want to become a better overall shooter.

I'm really good at cutting screens and moving off the ball, so I'm trying to utilize that talent by working on my mid-range game. Pull-up jumpers and shots of the dribble. That kind of thing.

It takes serious practice. You got to get up high. My shots different with pull-up jumpers. (Probably not a good thing, but I said I'm workin on it, lol). You got to plant your feet and get up high. Then of course, you have to time that release. But the hardest part for me is body control after the jump. Thats the key to pull up jumpers.

Those are good things to work on man. For the op, I would say moreso then trying to get a lot of elevation, is emphasis really using your legs. like you want to feel that dip down, then going into our normal shooting motion. That is what did the trick for myself, when I was learning to make my game more dynamic from being just a set shooting, to having the baility to shoot off the dribble, off balance etc etc shooter

[carpevicis]

What is the most efficient way to bring the ball from your dribble to shot pocket? I have extremely short arms, so my poor standing reach means it doesn't take a good defender to contest my shot. Usually by the time I'm in the air for a shot, the defender is up in my face and I'm forced to either pass it off or take a bad shot. I also don't jump very high while shooting.

I've tried experimenting with different things, the hard dribble, changing my release point; as of right now the way I do it is I drive at my defender like I'm going to penetrate then I stop on my inside foot and kind of fade back.

Sometimes I try shooting it like Kevin Durant also, shoot the ball right in front of my face so I don't have to waste time getting it above my forehead. But this requires extreme precision and isn't a good look for me. So what's the best way to really master the pull up?

My vertical isn't bad, but like others have mentioned it's not about how high you jump. So what are the ways I can really boost it? It's the weakest part of my game and my short height dictates that I should have a solid shot to be effective.

[623baller]

What is the most efficient way to bring the ball from your dribble to shot pocket? I have extremely short arms, so my poor standing reach means it doesn't take a good defender to contest my shot. Usually by the time I'm in the air for a shot, the defender is up in my face and I'm forced to either pass it off or take a bad shot. I also don't jump very high while shooting.

I've tried experimenting with different things, the hard dribble, changing my release point; as of right now the way I do it is I drive at my defender like I'm going to penetrate then I stop on my inside foot and kind of fade back.

Sometimes I try shooting it like Kevin Durant also, shoot the ball right in front of my face so I don't have to waste time getting it above my forehead. But this requires extreme precision and isn't a good look for me. So what's the best way to really master the pull up?

My vertical isn't bad, but like others have mentioned it's not about how high you jump. So what are the ways I can really boost it? It's the weakest part of my game and my short height dictates that I should have a solid shot to be effective.

quicker release
get open through screens and fake cuts
drive at your defender and take it all the way to the rack
start from triple threat position

[Venom]

What is the most efficient way to bring the ball from your dribble to shot pocket? I have extremely short arms, so my poor standing reach means it doesn't take a good defender to contest my shot. Usually by the time I'm in the air for a shot, the defender is up in my face and I'm forced to either pass it off or take a bad shot. I also don't jump very high while shooting.

I've tried experimenting with different things, the hard dribble, changing my release point; as of right now the way I do it is I drive at my defender like I'm going to penetrate then I stop on my inside foot and kind of fade back.

Sometimes I try shooting it like Kevin Durant also, shoot the ball right in front of my face so I don't have to waste time getting it above my forehead. But this requires extreme precision and isn't a good look for me. So what's the best way to really master the pull up?

My vertical isn't bad, but like others have mentioned it's not about how high you jump. So what are the ways I can really boost it? It's the weakest part of my game and my short height dictates that I should have a solid shot to be effective.

My method: Determine when you want to bring the ball up from your dribble, and start to gather your feet. As you do that, you catch the last dribble, go into triple threat, and raise up so shoot, all in one fluid motion. My jumpshot used to be really slow which gave defenders plenty of time to get up and swat it. Instead of bring the ball up, arching it, and releasing, it all becomes one motion.

The best way to master your jumpshot is to find a rhythm that works and stick to it. You must have the same jump, the same release time, and the same footwork every single time.

[623baller]

My method: Determine when you want to bring the ball up from your dribble, and start to gather your feet. As you do that, you catch the last dribble, go into triple threat, and raise up so shoot, all in one fluid motion. My jumpshot used to be really slow which gave defenders plenty of time to get up and swat it. Instead of bring the ball up, arching it, and releasing, it all becomes one motion.

The best way to master your jumpshot is to find a rhythm that works and stick to it. You must have the same jump, the same release time, and the same footwork every single time.

venoms got it

[DUP]

easiest thing to practice in basketball hands down

[carpevicis]

My method: Determine when you want to bring the ball up from your dribble, and start to gather your feet. As you do that, you catch the last dribble, go into triple threat, and raise up so shoot, all in one fluid motion. My jumpshot used to be really slow which gave defenders plenty of time to get up and swat it. Instead of bring the ball up, arching it, and releasing, it all becomes one motion.

The best way to master your jumpshot is to find a rhythm that works and stick to it. You must have the same jump, the same release time, and the same footwork every single time.

I followed this today and it looks good. I also watched the Stephen Curry video above and tried to emulate that (that's what you meant, right?).

My shot does feel much quicker and smoother, compared to my old one where I had to raise the ball to my head, **** it back and release. Only thing I have to get used to is jumping higher, because when I do the one-motion shot I don't get much lift as I tend to release the ball before the peak of my jump.

If I was to catch and shoot it immediately without raising the ball, arching and releasing, how would I time my jump? Say I jump when I shoot it, then by the time I'm a couple inches off the ground I'm ready to release. How do I delay that without slowing my shoot too much? For example, my shot kind of looks like Stephen Curry's right now, since neither one of us jumps that high. How do I add a jump to my shot without messing up the upper body mechanics?

[Venom]

I followed this today and it looks good. I also watched the Stephen Curry video above and tried to emulate that (that's what you meant, right?).

My shot does feel much quicker and smoother, compared to my old one where I had to raise the ball to my head, **** it back and release. Only thing I have to get used to is jumping higher, because when I do the one-motion shot I don't get much lift as I tend to release the ball before the peak of my jump.

If I was to catch and shoot it immediately without raising the ball, arching and releasing, how would I time my jump? Say I jump when I shoot it, then by the time I'm a couple inches off the ground I'm ready to release. How do I delay that without slowing my shoot too much? For example, my shot kind of looks like Stephen Curry's right now, since neither one of us jumps that high. How do I add a jump to my shot without messing up the upper body mechanics?

I bend my knees as I bring the ball up, and jump as I shoot. I don't bother jumping high on my jumpers because don't think it's important. If you have trouble getting the ball over your defender, just learn to create space better and be able to arch your shot higher. My shot is typically low arched (somewhat like Kobe), but if needed, I'm able to comfortably raise the arch to something like Steve Nash's.

You should do some midrange shooting drills and jump comfortably, without forcing yourself to do anything. Once you find a height and rhythm, stick to it, and it'll become second nature.

[Swaggin916]

Just be quick as hell on your pullup. I don't have the highest or quickest release point (although I would say it's fairly quick), nor do I get real high off the ground, but I pullup so fast that there is really no way my defender can block it unless his reach is just a lot taller than mine. Look at Russell Westbrook... Most of the time his man is still on the ground by the time his shot is released. That's where you want to be.