A good shot starts from the ground. If your base is off, your arm has to fix it in the air, and that is when shots go left, right or short.
Signs your balance is off
- You land far from where you jumped
- Your shoulders lean back at the release
- One foot lifts or twists first
- Shots miss in different directions with no pattern
Three drills
- Stick the landing: shoot and land on the same spot. Hold the landing for two seconds. Do 10 shots.
- Line drill: stand on a free-throw line or tape line. Shoot without your feet leaving the line.
- Slow-motion form shots: from 3 feet, shoot at half speed and focus only on feet, knees and a straight rise.
What to check each time
| Check | Good sign |
|---|---|
| Feet | Shoulder width, toes slightly out |
| Knees | Bend and drive straight up |
| Landing | Same spot, both feet together |
Measure it
HoopArea scores each filmed shot out of 10 and tracks knee bend and arm alignment, two things that change when balance is off. Compare sessions to see if your base is getting steadier.
See your own shot scored. Film one jump shot and HoopArea maps your joints and scores your form out of 10, with the exact fixes. Download HoopArea free on the App Store