Overall Technique

The overall technique that should be adopted

1.    Eyes on the Target

2.    Stance and Balance

3.    Shot Pocket

4.    Grip

5.    Guiding Hand

6.    Delivery

7.    Up-force and Landing

8.    Follow Through

1.    Eyes on the Target

       In order to improve accuracy, locate the target, which in this case is the ring, as early as possible.

     Keep eyes on the target and do not follow the flight of the ball.

Key point: Keep your target

Focus is extremely important!

2.    Stance and Balance

     Feet should be shoulder width apart to maintain good balance.

      Feet should also be slightly staggered in regards to stance so that it is consistent and comfortable. 

The shooting foot should be slightly ahead of the non-shooting foot.
   Feet should be pointed in the general direction of the basket, but not necessarily directly at it. 

   An open stance is preferred, however the individual can also use a closed stance (squared) if it seems more comfortable and natural. 

Regarding the open stance, feet point towards one side of the basket. 

(For example, a right handed shooter will point their feet just to the left of the ring for a more natural position and shooting motion.)

    Once a comfortable stance is developed, feet should be lined up the exact same way for each shot. 

Stance consistency is critical.

Note: The knees should be Flexed or in lay terms bent on every shot.

3.    Shot Pocket

     As the ball is caught , it should be moved quickly into the shot pocket position. 

      Here, everything is Lined up so the ball and shooting eye form a straight line to the basket. 

      Position the ball a few inches above your waist.

      Grip the ball properly on finger tips, not the sole of the hand and be ready to shoot.

Position the ball in your shot pocket the SAME way every time you catch it.

           
Consistency is key!

4.    Grip

      Place the air hole between the middle and index fingers.

       Line up fingertip pads parallel to the long seams of the ball, so  the back spin of the ball can be monitored.

Leave space between the ball and the middle of the palm. 

Note: a pencil should be able to be inserted  between the ball and palm 

       Spread fingers far enough apart to comfortably balance the ball in one hand.

Remember: The ball should sit on the finger pads.

5.    Guiding Hand

The non-shooting or guiding hand should be on the side of the ball.

  Note: The guiding hand should not add force or spin to the shot and should not move on delivery it is purely for balance. 
This hand should always come off the ball first.

6.    The delivery

    The ball should start motion directly upwards from the shot pocket (don't dip the ball)

The elbow should be positioned under the ball comfortably.

The ball should not go behind your head, instead it should stay in front.

    The body should  be uncoiled with your legs, core, and arm power all being coordinated in one smooth motion.

The elbow, wrist and shooting hand should all extend in a straight line to the basket.

    Note: Hand position on the delivery is important

The ball should come off the hand with perfect symmetrical backspin.

Remember: The guide hand stays to the side and does not influence the overall flight or trajectory of the ball

7.    Up-force, Landing and Follow Through

       The ball should be released on the way up, just before the peak of the jump is reached. 

       
The legs are used to generate up-force, therefore resulting in a vertical jump.  

The Landing phase should occur in the same spot that the jump commenced, as this shows good balance and technique has been executed on the shot.

      (BreakThroughBasketball.com, 2016)

Click here: This is a link to a YouTube clip demonstrating how to successfully complete the Basketball Jump Shot.

If executed properly the shot should look like these 3 videos which were taken of a Basketball player of a National and State level.

Front View

Back View 

Side View

Note: 

When this individual shoots, he has a staggered stance and is balanced and builds the shot from the shot pocket. The ball is gripped on the pads of his finders and he keeps his elbow relatively straight and does not bend it out sideways during the shot. The majority of the power is generated from a shallow jump and the power of extending his arm and flicking his wrist propels the ball accurately into the ring. The trajectory of the ball is also nicely curved. He also maintains a consistent technique throughout all three shots.

Therefore, once all of the elements above are mastered, your jump shot should mimic a shot similar to the ones above.