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7 Types of Shots Basketball Players Should Master

What kinds of shots do you need to know to become a good basketball player? There are a few basic shots that every player has to learn. The first shot a beginning player learns is a layup. A standard jump shot is another shot you must know, and everyone should develop their own way of shooting free throws. In this article, we’ll examine the mechanics of some shots and explain why they’re important to know.

 

 

Key Basketball Shots to Learn

There are shots that some types of players might not use. For instance, a hook shot is great for a center but a guard rarely shoots a hook shot. You need to be tall, and it helps if you have long arms for a hook shot. A fadeaway jumper is extremely effective but hard to learn. Some players can’t shoot a fadeaway, but that doesn’t mean they can’t figure out other shots that will make them good shooters. Below is an explanation of 7 common shots in basketball. 

 

  • Layup: The most fundamental shot in basketball is a layup. A layup is a shot you typically bank off the backboard close to the basket. For a right-handed shooter, you dribble to the basket and jump off your left foot. You release the basketball with your arm extended while flipping your right hand toward the basket. As you get more skilled, you should learn how to shoot layups with both hands. To add versatility and some flash to your game, you can learn to do a finger roll layup. With this kind of layup, you let the ball roll off the end of your fingers when it’s released. It’s often implemented when you’re not using the backboard. The layup is one of the highest percentage shots in basketball. 

  • Jump Shot: The jump shot is one of the most common shots in basketball, and everyone who plays knows how to shoot a jumper. The principle of the shot is that you release the ball at the top of your jump. To shoot a jump shot, line up with your legs slightly wider than shoulder- width apart and bent a little. If you’re receiving a shot, catch the ball at your chest. Your feet and chest should be square to the rim. Raise the ball just above your eye level on the side of your shooting hand with the ball at your fingertips. Jump up and shoot the ball at the top of your arc. You should be looking at the basket, aiming for the ball to fall over the rim. The higher you can release the ball, the harder it is for someone to block it. 

  • Bank Shot: From certain angles on the court, a bank shot is a higher percentage shot than shooting the ball at the rim. The best spots on the floor for bank shots are when you're 10 to 15 feet away from the basket on either side of it and about 5 to 10 feet away from the baseline. For a bank shot, you typically aim for the line on the backboard. Every backboard has a square drawn around it. If you hit the line or around it at the proper height, the ball will go through the net. One study showed that a bank shot can be 20 percent more effective than a regular shot from 12 feet.  

  • Free Throw: A free throw is an unguarded shot from 15 feet. Players are awarded free throws if they’re fouled. They get either 1 or 2 shots. Making free throws is an essential component of a winning strategy. In 2024, Wisconsin led the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) with a free throw percentage of 82.6. The free throw lane is 16 feet wide. Players must stand outside the line. If their toe hits the line, they lose the shot. Since free throws are shot from a static position, each player can practice their own form. Players rarely shoot a jump shot free throw. Every time a player shoots a free throw, their form should be the same.  

  • Fadeaway Jumper: A fadeaway jumper is a shot many players use to avoid getting their shot blocked or altered by the defensive player. It’s a jump shot but at the top of your arc, you fade from the basketball while releasing the ball. It’s a difficult shot to master but if you do, it’s extremely hard for defenders to guard it. You need to be flexible and strong to get good at a fadeaway. 

  • 3-point shot: A 3-point shot is a jump shot from beyond the 3-point line. While it’s worth 3 points, all other shots are worth 2 points. Making 3-point shots is a crucial part of a team’s strategy. Some players rarely take 3-point shots. Teams often have designated 3-point shooters. A good percentage for 3-point shots made is generally above 35. In contrast, players make about 57 percent of their contested layups. Contested means that the player is guarded by a defender. Most layups are contested. Many 3-point shots aren’t contested. 

  • Hook Shot: A hook shot is often used by taller players who can shoot over their defenders. A hook shot is the only shot where you aren’t square to the basket. Players typically receive the basketball with their back to the basket before shooting a hook shot. Once you receive the pass, you put the ball in the palm of your shooting hand. Stepping off the opposite foot of your shooting hand, straighten your shooting hand while keeping your arm straight and the ball on your fingertips, and sweep the ball to the basket over the side of your head. It’s very difficult to block a hook shot. Hook shots are typically attempted from close to the basket. Getting good at a hook shot requires extensive practice with your footwork and your shot form. 

 

Tips to Improve Your Shots

The best way to improve your shooting is to practice. All it takes is a basketball, a hoop, and some space to work on your shots. The more hours you put into practicing your shots, the better you’ll be. Below are 3 key concepts for shooting practice. 

 

  • Repetition: Once you’ve established the form you’re using for a particular shot, it’s a matter of practicing it over and over. You could shoot 500 jump shots a week to get comfortable with your form. The goal is to be able to react without thinking about your form while getting your shot off. 

  • Scrimmage: One of the best ways to improve your form is to scrimmage in simulated games. Any shot is harder when a defender is guarding you. These situations help you learn how to keep your form when someone has a hand in your face. 

  • Footwork: Getting the proper footwork down is a critical element for each shot. Every shot has different footwork requirements. Once you learn the footwork, you can practice that on your own. 

 

One of the most exciting and enjoyable parts of playing basketball is shooting. It’s a skill that any player can learn and get good at with the right amount of practice.