Youth Basketball Shooting Principles
SHOOTING OVERVIEW for Youth Basketball Since we are discussing shooting in terms of Youth Basketball, some kids who may be very young, it is important for us to mention that we will not be spending any time talking about shooting the ball from above head, as we would expect from older players. Many(most) youth, especially at the younger levels simply won't be physically capable of doing this anyway. It is something, however, that older youth players should begin working toward as they develop. With this in mind we will focus mainly upon the four key components to any good jump shot.
Courtesy of flickr.com by Herb Perone BODY POSITIONING Youth basketball players, early on, need to know that once he/she receives a pass or pulls up off the dribble looking to take a shot, it is necessary that they have their body in the proper position to make the shot. This is accomplished by a player using either the jump-stop or pivot to get their body SQUARED-UP with the goal. When a player squares up the front of their body should be facing directly toward the goal, with both feet planted side by side around shoulder width apart.
Kids playing at dusk. Courtesy of www.allposters.com HAND AND ARM POSITIONINGWhenever a player has control of the basketball they should always be mindful of the need for having a firm grip upon the ball with both hands. They should also hold the ball in a way as to protect it from being knocked away or stolen. As the shooter begins shot it is important that the ball rest upon the pads of fingers and thumb of shooting hand, not flat against palm. In most cases the ball WILL touch the front of the palm-this is acceptable as long as it stays off the main part of the palm. Fingers of shooting hand should be spread just comfortably, and not together. The players other hand is their guide hand and should be to the side of the ball in the same manner as shooting hand. In the act of taking a shot, the players shooting arm should be bent at elbow, with forearm near straight and parallel to body.This is best accomplished by keeping elbow in toward body as much as is comfortable or possible. USING LEGS This is something that is definitely a must concerning youth basketball players, because of what we discussed previously about their lack of strength. Once a player has squared up and have feet planted, the act of shooting should begin by player bending their knees and coming up quickly, much like a spring. At release of ball legs should be straight, with feet pointed slightly downward above floor. Learning this will make the chances of a shooter having their shot blocked less likely, and will greatly increase a child' shooting range. FOLLOW THROUGHThe follow through is important for several reasons in youth basketball or at any other level. Upon the moment of the basketball's release, if a player has followed through properly, it helps to ensure that the ball is heading in the right direction. And the extra push with the fingers is what creates the backspin upon the ball, making for more arch, distance, and increases the odds of getting the roll or bounce when ball hits rim. A ball shot flat or without backspin is much more likely to "brick" off rim. |
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