Long Range Shots

It looks like this thread is pretty old, so I don't even know if the OP is still seeking help...but just in case...

Your form could be a lot better. You remind me a little of how I used to shoot when I was about that age. My favorite players were Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, so I sort of created a hybrid of both their shooting motions. Kind of a two handed, above the head release.

It wasn't much of an issue because I played in the post my freshman year even though I was only 5'9". But going into the summer my coach told me to either grow or learn how to shoot. Otherwise, it was going to be hard for him to find me minutes on a higher level (JV or Varsity) squad.

Well I never did grow, but I learned how to shoot. It was really just a matter of working on it everyday and not overestimating my range. Distance shooting is something you really have to develop over time. With you, it's going to start with a change in form.

First, you need to get your right foot slightly ahead of your left. That will feel more natural with the movement of your upper body.

Second, you need to start with the ball lower. Right now you're not getting any momentum on your shot because you're range of motion is limited (from in front of you face and up). Think of it in terms of throwing a baseball. If you pull your arm back and throw, you're going to throw a lot harder and faster more easily than if you put your arm straight out in front of you and then try to throw it.

Last, and most importantly, bend your knees. It looks like you're getting very little leg into the shot, which makes it nearly impossible to shoot from deep with any kind of consistency unless your name is Sam Perkins.

Here's a video of me doing an exercise I call "Pick Ups" that is designed to help you create a habit of using your legs. I advise that you not start out as far as I do in the video.

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAh21alvdrU[/url]

And here's a video of me shooting from out of bounds (26 feet or so). It's probably better for showing proper form.

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5460Yo8G5XU[/url]

Hopefully you find this stuff helpful. :cheers:

im small, as in not a lot of muscle and i have no problem jacking up nba range threes.

I find it is mostly in the wrist. if you are having trouble reaching the distance of the basket, try flicking your wrist a lot harder and faster than with mid range shots. just shoot with a really quick release like ray allen.

mainly id say just flick HARDer with your wrist.

I think this is wildly overlooked in weight workouts, but one of the best excercises for basketball is forearm curls and forearm extensions. It's sort of the sister excercise to calf raises that are so overblown because they allegedly improve vertical. More importantly they help lateral movement.

But the forearm workouts will add range and quickness to your release, and they'll do it over a few months. They'll also tighten up your handle and give you more of a snap off the bounce.

The reason most guys have trouble with range is that they lengthen their throw motion from the elbow to try to make up for the extra distance. The problem with that is that small mistakes from that pivot point lead to bigger mistakes in the shot. It's a geometry problem really, based on circumference. A small distance change on a the inner part of a radius yields a much larger distance change on the outer part of the radius. The same is true of golf and baseball swings.

So if you're lifting weights, start doing these. They don't take a ton of time, and they don't require a lot of weight. Light weight, and max reps.

Also, as for the actual shooting, don't forget to focus on getting the ball up. A lot of guys will put so much into covering the extra distance that the shot becomes flat, and then even if you're reaching, and have incredible accuracy, you're really limiting what is and isn't a makable shot.

[QUOTE=ILballa]I'm unable to play the video after downloading it.[/QUOTE]
Can anyone help me out?

Stroke looks fine just keep at it and try to increase your range little by little each day.

[QUOTE=1manfastbreak]its all in your legs. there have been very few shooters who have a tippy toe jump shot. Larry Bird is one that comes to mind. you just need to bend your knees and use that power from your lower body.[/QUOTE]

This is very true..a good strong jump on your jump shots can make hell of a difference.

Thanks guys, re-read everything and some really helpful stuff. My form seems a lot better, my mid-range shooting is pretty good now. I don't pull the ball up over my head anymore really, but I still have trouble past the 3-point line, but anywhere inside I'm doing pretty well.

Thanks for the tips, gonna work on some of this stuff (like pickups) to get a 3 going.

[QUOTE=Kumo]Thanks guys, re-read everything and some really helpful stuff. My form seems a lot better, my mid-range shooting is pretty good now. I don't pull the ball up over my head anymore really, but I still have trouble past the 3-point line, but anywhere inside I'm doing pretty well.

Thanks for the tips, gonna work on some of this stuff (like pickups) to get a 3 going.[/QUOTE]

there is nothing wrong with having the bal by your head. the more you have the ball in a ready to shoot position, the quicker your release and shot is. You don't want to be pulling the ball down then comming up with it, it makes it a lot easier for the D to stip you.

im guessing you meant putting the ball over your head when your shooting, kinda making a slingshot type effect, you dont wanna do that either.

[QUOTE=1manfastbreak]
im guessing you meant putting the ball over your head when your shooting, kinda making a slingshot type effect, you dont wanna do that either.[/QUOTE]

Exactly.

It might be a mental thing. Some people (including me) start shooting differently when they know they are behind the line. But when they play on a court where there are no lines, they shoot it great from downtown.

[QUOTE=mika][url]http://www.demonoid.com/files/?category=0&subcategory=All&quality=All&seeded=0&external=2&query=better+basketball&uid=0&sort=[/url][/QUOTE]
Do you have one with the dribbling with sound?

[quote=J23]Do you have one with the dribbling with sound?[/quote]What? that didn't really make sense. I do have a lot of dribbling and ball handling videos though.

[QUOTE=mika]What? that didn't really make sense. I do have a lot of dribbling and ball handling videos though.[/QUOTE]
It was actually the better basketball: passing video when i dled it doesnt have sound.