Shooting Footwork

Every shot starts with footwork and therefore it is critically important. Proper footwork builds a foundation for the rest of a players mechanics. In a perfect world, like a free throw, every shot would be taken with a player having perfect technique and balance. Here are a few key points.

• Shooting hand foot a few inches in front of the other foot and centered on the rim. On free throws I place my big toe in alignment with the nail in the floor on the free throw line (designates the center of the rim).
• Feet shoulder width or comfortable distance apart. To figure out the best distance for a player, ask him to do a standing vertical jump. However far apart he puts his feet to jump is the most comfortable position.
• Knees should be slightly bent with weight evenly distributed on each leg. It's important to not lean back but have the weight on the balls of your feet and shoulders forward.

Ideally every shot would start from this position but in a fast paced basketball game that often is not possible. The main line of teaching for shooting footwork is to lead with the non-shooting hand leg and step into the shot, called a one two step. For a right handed shooter that would be a left right step. It is important to be low with the butt down and hands ready as the player steps into the shot. Mastering this technique is an important first step for any shooter.

Once a player has mastered this basic technique, he must move on to more advanced footwork. This is the point where I may differ from many coaches. I truly believe most players hurt their ability to shoot in a game because they do not experiment and practice different footwork. I especially like to use warm up and spot shooting to practice different steps. For example if I was going to shoot 10 spot shots I would try not to use the same footwork more than twice. Here is what the footwork on the ten shots might look like:

1. Stepping in left right x 2
2. Stepping in right left x 2
3. Standing still - no steps x 2
4. Slight side step left x 2
5. Slight side step right x 2

Working on different footwork in this manner helps a player get comfortable with getting his feet into proper alignment in different ways. As a player becomes more advanced he can incorporate back steps, staggered feet, wide feet and even the occasional one footed shot. Obviously if a player is struggling to make shots, he should revert back to his most comfortable footwork to make a few shots before branching out again.

Advancing from spot shooting to shooting game shots off the move is where great shooters separate themselves. Being able to master the footwork of shooting off the dribble and coming off of screens will take a player's game to another level. The only way to get better at the different game shots is to practice them at game speed. Incorporate specific game situation shots such as one two step off the dribble or curl step off a down screen into every workout. The most important thing is to be creative and do it at game speed. Have a little imagination - If a player can make tough shots in practice, he will make tough shots in the game!