When the ball is the right distance but keeps going wide, the problem is almost never your eyes. Side-to-side misses come from side-to-side movement in your shot. Here is where to look.
Cause 1: A flared elbow
If your elbow points outward, your hand has to steer the ball back to the rim. That steering is inconsistent. Fix: keep your elbow under the ball, pointing at the basket.
Cause 2: Your feet point the wrong way
If your feet and hips face one side of the rim, your whole shot follows. Fix: point your toes roughly at the rim and square your shoulders.
Cause 3: The ball sits in the middle of your body
A ball that starts in front of your face blocks your view and pulls the shot sideways. Fix: start the ball a little to your shooting side, with the shooting hand under it.
Cause 4: The guide hand pushes
Your off hand should only rest on the side of the ball. If it pushes at release, the ball curves. Fix: lift the guide hand away as you release.
Which side do you miss?
| You miss | Look first at |
|---|---|
| Mostly left (right-handed) | Guide hand pushing, feet turned |
| Mostly right (right-handed) | Elbow flare, ball too far right |
| Both sides | Inconsistent set point |
These are starting points, not rules. Film yourself to confirm.
How to test it
- Film 5 shots from the front or back.
- Pause at the set point and check where the elbow and ball are.
- Pause at the release and check the guide hand.
Let the numbers help
HoopArea reads your shot video and measures arm alignment and elbow extension, then gives your shot a score out of 10. If your arm alignment is low, that is a strong clue for side misses.
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