The 5 main pillars of a great jump shot
Let’s start by defining the jump shot: throwing the ball from more than 3 feet away from the basket. A jump shot can be simple or very complex depending on the mechanics.
Anyone can be a great jump shooter!
I, too, struggled for many years trying to develop a consistent jump shot that I could shoot from anywhere on the court. I truly believe that anyone can be a great jump shooter with practice and time.
A good number of professional and amateur players struggle to perform this fundamental action that leads to 2 or 3 points which is the name of the game. Put points on the board as many times as possible from anywhere on the court.
To really understand why some players make jump shots look so easy, we need to peel off the layers and understand the 5 different pillars required (when everyone works together) to produce consistent results.
1. Trust
The number one way to improve your jump shot percentage is to increase your confidence in your abilities. I know it is very frustrating to throw the ball and only make 1 in 10 shots.
A positive mental attitude will improve your performance only without any practice. Mental visualization will also help you improve your performance without any practice. It all starts with your mind. If your mind is not thinking straight, your jump shot and most other aspects of your game will produce questionable results.
Key point: you get what you expect. Expect your shot to run 50% of the time, and more times it will happen.
2. Vision / Focus
The two-way number to improve your jump shot is vision and focus. Just before you throw the ball, where are you looking and what are you thinking about? Are you looking at the front of the tire or at the dash?
Are you thinking about how good the defender is or how good your offense is? Your mind should be clear and relaxed when you are throwing the ball. Your muscle memory should take over as you confidently watch the ball go through the NET.
Key point: Focus on the front of the edge and clear your mind of all negative thoughts. Making the basket should be the only thought on your mind.
3. Balance
The number of three ways to improve your jump shot is balance. This includes foot placement, shoulder placement, hand placement, and your overall center of gravity when performing the perfect jump shot move.
All great shooters have great balance, giving them the opportunity to hit such a high percentage of jump shots. See Richard Hamilton (Pistons), Ray Allen (Celtics), or old school legends like Larry Bird (Celtics) or Reggie Miller (Indiana Pacers).
No matter what your jump shot looks like, if you have good balance, you will shoot a higher percentage. When practicing shooting, pay attention to the way you place your feet, which way your shoulders are looking, how you are holding the ball, anything out of place can cause friction and upset your balance.
Key Point: Your jump shot should feel good when you throw the ball. If not, make small adjustments until you start to feel good.
4. Small (micro) adjustments
Your jump shot will live or die for the adjustments you make while throwing the ball. These small adjustments are necessary and all great shooters have made adjustments to fine tune their techniques.
See yourself as a piano tuner. The piano tuner makes small adjustments to all the piano wires until the piano is in complete harmony. Your jump shot is like a piano and you are the tuner. Keep tuning until you can feel the inner harmony.
Key Point: Don’t be afraid to make small adjustments, but any adjustments you make should feel good and the ball should go to the basket at a higher percentage.
5. Rhythm and harmony
Like a great symphony orchestra and nature flows, his jump shot is a work of art plain and simple. Many artistic works are beautiful, abstract, and some are considered strange. In most cases, great jumpers have natural God-given abilities that have made the sport of basketball easier.
Everyone needs to find their own special rhythm on the basketball court that works for them, but it has to be in harmony with their teammates or they won’t be making beautiful music together.
Key point: if you shoot in rhythm, you will take more shots.
In conclusion; With a little fine-tuning and a little practice, anyone can develop the skill of throwing the basketball. By paying attention to these five pillars and doing a little self-assessment, your jump shot will improve and you will find that your confidence will increase with each new jump shot you take.
Coach Duane Waits
P.S. Leave a comment if you have a special jump shooting technique that helped you improve your game.