# Shooting Basics · Basketball Level 2: Elementary

Basketball · Level 2: Elementary · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/basketball/level-2/shooting-basics/)

Shooting Basics in Basketball (Level 2: Elementary) on Insporta: 100 sourced facts behind 10 tests. Covers: the shooting stance; hands on the ball; and more.

The shooting stance and grip, arc and backspin, catch-and-shoot, the pull-up, range, shot fakes, bank shots, shooting drills and reading misses.

## Test 1: The shooting stance

- A repeatable base gives a repeatable shot. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- A slight stagger lines the shooting side up with the basket. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Weight on the balls of the feet lets the legs power the shot. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- The pocket is the spot by the shooting side where the shot starts. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Bent knees load the legs, which drive the shot up. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Pointing the feet at, or close to, the target helps line the body up. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Squaring up faces the body towards the target. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Feet, knees, pocket, shot. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Build the stance from the floor up. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Feet about shoulder width and knees bent give a stable base. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)

## Test 2: Hands on the ball

- A straight arm line sends the ball straight. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Fingers, not the palm, give touch and control. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- The ball rolls off the index and middle fingers. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Spread fingers give a stable grip. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- The guide hand rests on the side and comes off at the release. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- A guide hand that pushes sends the shot off line. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- A guide-hand flick adds sideways spin and pushes the ball off line. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Fingers spread, pads under the ball, guide hand on the side, then the pocket. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Lift, guide off, flick, follow through. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Pads under the ball, with the palm just off it. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)

## Test 3: Arc and backspin

- A higher arc gives the ball a wider window into the rim. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- A flat shot has a narrow way in and often hits the back of the rim. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- The flick of the wrist rolls the ball off the fingers with backspin. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Backspin helps a ball that touches the rim settle in. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- A shooter's roll is the soft bounce that falls through. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- A huge rainbow is hard to control; a medium-high arc is the aim. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Flat shots tend to clang off the back of the rim. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- From flat to very high. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Snap, backspin, arc, through. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- A medium-high arc drops in from above without losing accuracy. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)

## Test 4: Catch-and-shoot

- The shooter rises straight from the catch, with no dribble. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Securing the ball comes before the shot. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- A fast release beats the closing defender. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- The hop lands both feet at once, letting either be the pivot. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- The 1-2 plants the inside foot first, then the other. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Catching near the pocket shortens the motion. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- A long gather gives defenders time to recover. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Ready, catch, plant, shoot. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- No dribble is quickest. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Knees bent and hands up as a target. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)

## Test 5: The pull-up jumper

- The dribbler stops and rises into the shot in one move. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Weak-hand pull-ups need extra practice. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Drifting forward or sideways spoils the balance of the shot. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- A two-foot jump stop squares the body quickly. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- If the defender sags, the dribbler can rise and shoot. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Square shoulders keep the shot on line. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Stopping first lets him rise straight up. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Attack, gather, stop, shoot. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Space, stop, rise, release. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Hard and up into the shooting pocket. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)

## Test 6: Range and mid-range

- It is a favourite mid-range spot. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Range is the distance at which his form holds. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Shooting beyond your strength forces a bad motion. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Mid-range sits between the lane and the three-point line. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Range grows from good form, moving out step by step. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Longer shots are harder, so fewer go in. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- He should build range gradually from where his form holds. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Close, mid-range, then long range. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- The corner three is shorter than the three from the top. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Close to the basket, to groove good form. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)

## Test 7: Shot fakes

- The shooter sells a shot so the defender jumps or lunges. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual offence)
- Leaving the floor on a fake leaves nowhere to go. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual offence)
- A defender in the air cannot guard the next move. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual offence)
- A jumping defender is out of the play for a moment. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual offence)
- If the defender jumps into him as he shoots, it is a foul. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual offence)
- Fake, one side dribble to get by the closeout, then rise. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual offence)
- A fake only works if the shot is a real threat. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual offence)
- Closeout, fake, bite, drive. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual offence)
- Catch, fake, dribble, shoot. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual offence)
- Ball up, eyes on the rim, legs still bent. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, individual offence)

## Test 8: Bank shots

- His short bank shot was nearly automatic. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- From straight on, banking adds risk without a better angle. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- The shooter picks a spot on the glass, often near the square's corner. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- From the block, a short bank shot is natural. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- The glass can steer a slightly long shot down into the rim. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- A soft shot off the glass is still the aim. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Aiming too far in sends the ball across or long. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Spot, rise, glass, rim. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- The more angle, the more the board helps. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- From an angle on the wing the backboard guides the ball in. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)

## Test 9: Shooting drills

- Players move round fixed spots, shooting from each. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- The next shooter scoring first knocks him out. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- A rebounder feeds the shooter, so more reps fit in. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Practice at game speed so the shot holds up in games. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Recording makes shows improvement. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Misses give the 'pro' points; makes give the shooter points. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Adding speed and pressure makes practice more like games. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Each make moves the shooter one spot round the arc. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Form, spots, off the dribble, tired free throws. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- The shooter works his way round the arc. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)

## Test 10: Reading misses

- Short misses often mean the legs did too little. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Side-to-side misses usually come from the elbow or body being off line. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Long misses often come from a flat or over-hit shot. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Fatigue takes power from the legs first. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Short, long, left or right each suggest a different fix. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- A flying elbow pushes the ball off line. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Rebuilding from close in restores the motion. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Observe, diagnose, fix, check. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- From well short to long. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)
- Every miss is short, which usually means the legs did too little. (Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, shooting)

Sources: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3 and general coaching references; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered FIBA rules belong to the Rules category.

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