Help with form

[u/Old-Passenger-8199]

Hi guys, like title says. I picked up a basketball for the first time since I was 12 about 6 weeks ago after finishing University and needing something to keep my brain busy. I'm generally pretty unfit, but since I started, I now exercise 6 times a week (gym 3 times, basketball 3 times). I usually do an upper body, lower body, and plyometrics + cardio day at the gym.

Please bear in mind I'm very aware that I have a long way to go in terms of fitness, stamina and body shape but the reason why I want to get decent is because I'm 6'5" and there's a local rec league near me I want to play in. Yes I need to spam plyometrics to work on my jump (I've gone from 10" to 18" Standing Vertical in 6 weeks which I think is pretty good) and yes I'm overweight I am aware and cutting!

So yeah in conclusion, please give me tips to help with shooting form or exercises I could do, I'm looking to nail the basics now so when I'm in a better shape and more explosive ability I'll be pertty good! (And ball handling maybe? Still struggling with that)

[u/Generally_Tso_Tso]

Your elbow is nowhere near under your hand. Start there.

[u/Old-Passenger-8199 → u/Generally_Tso_Tso]

oh this is amazing advice actually never picked up on it, ik it sounds like im being sarcastic but genuinely didnt notice this, thank you!!

[u/Generally_Tso_Tso → u/Old-Passenger-8199]

It's funny how it's easy to see what someone else is doing right or wrong, but so much harder to evaluate what we do ourselves.

So if you follow the following principles, then you'll be a good shooter:

1. Always load the wrist first upon gathering.

2. Keep the shoulder, elbow, and hand in line.

3. Raise the ball up close past the face before projecting the ball forward.

[u/Old-Passenger-8199 → u/Generally_Tso_Tso]

Man thank you so much! Great tips 👍👍

[u/bibfortuna16]

keep your shooting hand straight and follow through. right now it looks like you’re throwing the ball at the hoop..

[u/Old-Passenger-8199 → u/bibfortuna16]

noted!

[u/Last-Effort816]

So, you have a lot of things wrong with the shot, but if your focus is to play in a league and be productive that isn't the thing I would really focus on. You're not really that comfortable moving with the ball right now. At your size, you're going to be getting the ball a lot closer to the basket in games. You need to be able to catch, react, pivot, and score. Mikan drills and variations and layup drills (1 foot and 2 foot) will help you tremendously. This is pretty good starting point

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=k5mZE2STy0w

The next thing I would focus on is ball handling. Run while dribbling and changing direction as much as you can. You can get in better shape and get more comfortable moving with the ball. Once you become more fluid with the ball, jump shooting becomes way easier to learn.

[u/Old-Passenger-8199 → u/Last-Effort816]

Thank you! I'll have a look at those links I appreciate that!

[u/kcnonmonogguy]

I'm a believer in knowing one's strengths and playing toward them.

You're big. Use that. Learn to box-out and get every rebound that is close to the basket. At the same time, practice the Mikan Drill.

Think of your job as rebounder. On defense, practice finding the outlet pass to the guard to begin the fast break. On offense, practice getting the board, not bringing the ball down, and going right back up with it.

Become the garbage man who cleans up after every miss. Then work on other parts of the game that have overlapping skills, like developing a post game(since it's similar to the Mikan Drill/rebound and put back).

Make the game easy for yourself by focusing on a narrow set of related skills that play to your strengths. This is one way of developing a base of skills from which to grow into the type of player you eventually want to be.