Sports are all about doing better than you did before. Whether it comes to playing the game itself, coordinating with your teammates with discipline or interacting with people in general, good sportspersons constantly strive to hone their game while applying the lessons they learn while playing in situations of daily life. In this regard, basketball is no different. It requires a high level of stamina, great teamwork, a healthy determination, and a great aim. Shooting accuracy matters a lot in a game like a basketball because the points you get depend solely on how the ball goes through the loop.
Here are six ways in which you can improve your throwing game.
1. Balance and Stance
In a fast-paced sport like basketball, where a major part of the game involves running, moving and maneuvering through equally talented players, the balance and stance of the player play an important role in the quality of the player’s throw. Especially while shooting for a goal, the direction of your feet and the distance between them are important to keep you stable enough to shoot correctly.
2. Correct Grip
The way you hold the ball while you are shooting will have a significant impact on how the ball travels to the hoop. Keeping your fingers spread too far apart will cause discomfort that can impede your ability to shoot well. Instead, a comfortable grip, with your finger pads in firm contact with the ball, the guiding hand placed on the side of the ball and the shooting hand placed behind the ball will go a long way in allowing the ball to travel the way you want it to. Aside from these tips, there are several rules that must be followed when you want to know how to shoot a good goal.
3. Focus on The Target
The first instinct of many players would be to pay attention to the trajectory of the ball while throwing, the truth is, this method does little more than making the player self-conscious about his or her throwing style. Many coaches agree that focusing on the target instead does a lot more towards helping the ball go into the hoop since this will help you angle your body towards the goal the right way. Angling your body towards the hoop is another aspect to keep in mind while shooting.
4. Delivery and Timing of The Throw
Everything about your throw, right from the angling of your feelings to the exact point where you let go of the ball, matters when you shoot for that goal. The best time to release the ball is said to be right before your arm reaches the top. The ball must also stay in front of your body at all times so that you can control the trajectory of the ball better.
5. Practice, Practice, Practice
No matter the craft, one thing has remained consistent throughout history; practice makes perfect. As a basketball player, you will need to practice intensively and with a solid goal in mind. Especially if you’re shooting for a scholarship through your game, you will need to put in long hours of practice and repeat right shoots until they become second nature to attain the level of skill that college recruiters are looking for.
6. Optimistic Spirit
As a player, your attitude towards the game has to boost your morale enough for you to play a good game. Your spirits must be reasonably high with your confidence in your skills and your trust in your teammates intact. This does not mean, however, that you allow your spirit to turn into overconfidence. Overconfidence can lead to you letting your guard down, which may not lead to a good result during the game. A healthy optimism can keep you focused on the game while not hindering your skills while playing.
Dedication and persistence are two things that are key when it comes to improving your shot while playing, but it has been done before and definitely, can be done again. Constant and consistent practice will go along way in helping you perfect your aim. Be sure to avoid falling into bad habits concerning your gameplay and listen to the advice your coach has for you.