Everyone wants to say that they can play ball. Here's a beginner's guide to shooting a basketball.

Steps

  1. 1
    Get a good basketball and go outside. You don't even need a basketball hoop yet.
  2. 2
    Take your strong hand (the hand you write with, or do most activities with), and place it underneath the basketball.[1]
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  3. 3
    Practice pushing the ball straight up into the air. Flick your wrist so the ball spins while in the air. End with a follow through.[2]
  4. 4
    Catch the ball with your fingers. Don't let it touch your palm. Repeat until you are very comfortable and can do it with ease.
  5. 5
    Stand close to a basketball hoop. Do that same motion, but push the ball towards the hoop. Make sure you push high enough to get over the rim and into the hoop. Remember to push up not out. Pretend to end with your hand in the hoop.[3]
  6. 6
    Keep the ball steady while shooting. You can put your weak hand on the side of the ball, but don't push with it, just use it to guide the ball in the direction you want it to go.
  7. 7
    Try different shots. Once you get better (after practice), try shots from different spots on the court.[4]
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    I never get a basketball basket and I feel so bad, what can I do?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Keep trying, work on the other fundamentals of your game and keep practicing. Eventually you will be able to shoot baskets.
  • Question
    How do I not embarrass myself when trying to shoot the ball?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Don't care what people think about you and play your game. Just believe in yourself and practice a lot.
  • Question
    How is basketball beneficial, and do I need to lose weight before I can play it?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Basketball burns calories and builds your bone strength and muscles, and increases flexibility. You don't need to lose weight before you play. Basketball is for everyone. Shooting some hoops will actually help you lose some weight.
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Warnings

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Things You'll Need

  • basketball
  • basketball goal and net

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 21 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 76,467 times.
94 votes - 75%
Co-authors: 21
Updated: January 29, 2020
Views: 76,467
Categories: Basketball Shooting
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