3 Simple Basketball Shooting Tips That Make a Big Difference

By: Brendan Winters | Former Davidson Player, Co-Founder of Pro Skills Basketball

Many players think they need to completely overhaul their shooting form to become a better shooter. While that may be true in some cases, most players can drastically improve their shooting accuracy by making a few small adjustments. These tweaks are often overlooked—not because they’re hard, but because they require more focus, attention to detail, and understanding.

Here are three actionable basketball shooting tips players can start using today to shoot more consistently and confidently.

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1. Start and Finish On Balance

One of the biggest factors that affects shot accuracy is balance. Does the player start on balance and finish on balance? Or do they drift backward, sideways, or twist in the air?

Drew Hanlen from Pure Sweat Basketball studied NBA shooters and found that balance at the finish made a massive difference in shooting percentages (via the Hardwood Hustle podcast):

• 70% when players landed straight up and down

• 60% when they jumped forward (still straight)

• 39% with a slight turn of the feet

• 31% with a big turn/twist (aka “hockey stop”)

These numbers show that balanced shooting mechanics lead to better results. Players should focus on jumping and landing straight up and down, without rotating their body or feet mid-air. It’s a simple shift that can lead to big gains in accuracy.

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2. Finish With Your Fingers “In the Rim”

Here’s a small trick with big impact: Focus on how you finish your follow-through.

When a player shoots, they should finish with their shooting hand index and middle fingers dipped “into the rim.” To test this, players can close one eye after the shot and check if their fingers are pointed into the rim’s center—no matter where they are on the court.

This technique:

• Prevents snapping back the follow-through

• Avoids crossing the body

• Encourages a straight, consistent release

Consistent follow-through is essential to better shooting form and higher shooting percentages.

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3. Focus on a Smaller Target

Instead of aiming at the entire rim or watching the ball, players should focus on a smaller, more specific target—like the hook where the net connects to the rim.

This is where the mindset of “Aim small, miss small” comes in. Aiming for a tiny target reduces the margin of error. Even if you miss by a little, the shot is more likely to go in.

Think of it like archery. The smaller and more precise the target, the better your results.

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Final Thoughts

These three tips—balance, follow-through, and targeting—might seem small, but they can make a huge difference in shooting performance.

At Pro Skills Basketball, we emphasize these details in our camps, clinics, and year-round basketball academies. Our goal is to help youth players build confidence and consistency through fundamentally sound development, not flashy gimmicks.

Want to help your child become a better shooter?

📩 Contact us at admin@proskillsbasketball.com
📞 Call us at 866-996-3888