A three-pointer is not a harder shot, it is the same shot from farther away. Most misses from deep come from changing your form to get the ball there.
Why threes get worse
- Arm-only power: you push with the arm and the elbow flares
- Shorter legs drive: you stand tall and throw it
- Rushed release: the set point drops and the shot goes flat
Fix 1: Use your legs
Bend your knees a little more than you do from mid-range. The extra distance should come from the ground up, not from your arm.
Fix 2: Keep the same form
Your elbow, wrist snap and follow-through should look the same from 5 feet and from the arc. If the form changes with distance, move closer until it stops changing.
Fix 3: Keep your arc
A higher arc gives the ball a better angle into the rim. Finish with your fingers pointing down at the rim.
Simple practice plan
- Form shots at 5 feet: 20 clean makes
- Step back one pace at a time: make 5 before moving back
- Three-point spots: 5 shots from each spot, resting between sets
Stop moving back if your form breaks. Distance is earned.
Track your progress
HoopArea scores each filmed shot out of 10 and tracks elbow extension, knee bend, wrist snap and arm alignment. You can compare your close shots with your long shots and see how your form changes with distance.
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