2 Guaranteed Ways to Improve Your Jump Shot
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Improving your jump shot is a key to becoming a better offensive player.
The following article addresses 2 ways to improve your shot, no matter how good a jump shooter you may already be. Work on these aspects of your jump shot, and in time, you should see an impact on your scoring percentage.
First, work on getting more height on your jump as you shoot the shot.
Offense is all about creating space to get off a good shot. Whether it's a drive to the basket, a shot fake to get the defender off his feet, or taking a jump shot, what you're really trying to do is create enough space so you can take the shot.
Getting more height on your jump as you shoot the ball, in effect, gives you that "space" to get your shot off.
The more height you add to your jump, the better able you'll be to shoot the ball even under good defensive pressure (a defender right in your face, a hand in the air trying to distract you, someone going for the shot block, etc.). Adding inches to your jump will allow you to shoot the ball against tight defensive pressure.
Most players don't get good height on their jump shots. They may get a few inches off the ground, and their shot is more a "set shot" than a jump shot. But as you progress from one level to the next, players are taller, quicker, and better jumpers. In short, it gets more difficult to shoot the basketball.
As an offensive player, you have to adapt, get more creative, and develop new ways to create space to shoot the ball. And one of the things you need to do is add height to your jump. This will allow you to shoot the ball against better players and better defensive pressure.
Here is the best way to work on adding height to your jump shot. The next time you practice shooting, focus on getting good height on your jump. Take a few jumpers like you normally have in the past, and then shoot some where you really leap off the ground.
It will feel odd at first, your shot may be way off, and it'll probably be really difficult and tiring. But continue working on it. Add it to your personal workout routine, and work on it over, and over, and over again.
This drill is one of the best ways to work on and really improve this part of your shot. Work at it, and over time, you'll see the results. You'll be surprised at how quickly you can add a couple inches (or more) to your jump and how much of an impact that'll have on your ability to shoot the ball against pressure defense.
Second, work on having a quicker shot release.
Again, being a good offensive player means having the ability to shoot the ball against good defensive players and good defensive pressure. Having a quick shot release is one way to increase your ability to shoot against defensive pressure.
Reducing the time it takes to shoot the ball by even a split-second will have a big impact on your offensive game. Most shots you take in a game will be under some type of pressure: a hand in your face, a defender running at you, someone jumping to block your shot. Your ability to shoot the ball before the defense can close on you is key. Having a quick shot release allows you to shoot before the D can get to you and distract or block your shot.
Here's the best way to work on having a quicker shot release. The next time you shoot around, take a few jumpers like you normally do, and pay attention to the speed of your shot and release. Next, make a conscious effort to speed up the shot and the release. Speed up the shot, and shoot the ball a lot quicker than you normally do.
Don't rush the shot, and be sure to use the same, good form as you normally do. But this time, really force yourself to go through and complete the shooting motion a lot quicker than you normally do. You'll be amazed at how much faster you can shoot the ball simply by concentrating on it.
There you have it: 2 guaranteed ways to improve your jump shot. No matter how good a shooter you are, or how good an offensive player you are, improving these areas of your jump shot will pay big dividends for you.
The next time you go shoot around, be sure to practice both getting more height on your shot, and having a quicker shot release. Focus and practice both of these things, and you'll be surprised at how quickly your jumper will improve, and how much more of an effective scorer you'll be.