by Brian Keith Compton

Created on: May 25, 2007

Practice, practice, practice. Every great basketball player talks about the many hours a day spent in the gym perfecting that jump shot. But there is a great deal more to it than that.

To become an artist with a basketball, the first thing you need is a routine. Every day, I make my trip to the YMCA. I make sure to get the 'good ball' to take in the gym with me. I like the feel of a clean, round Spalding that responds to my touch. It needs to be soft enough to squeeze, but hard enough to come back to the master's hand when dribbled.

I'm in the gym early and it's quiet. I'm wearing two layers of clothes to start. I like a light workout before I start to loosen up the muscles. It's good to keep stretching those arms behind the head and touching the toes between shots until fully limber. As I heat up through my routine, I strip down to a tank and shorts. The clothing worn should not restrict the movement of the muscles needed to propel that rock through the net.

I have studied a lot of great players, many with unique styles of shooting a basketball. Different mechanics suit different people. Trying to emulate a favorite player can help, but it can also detract. Yet, you won't know what style fits you best without trying. What is most important is what feels comfortable. Over time and practice, you can get a feel for what works. But there are some basic things to remember:

Posture is very important. I try to stand tall when I shoot and release the ball above my head. Mechanics begin to fail when the arms drop down, or when that elbow kicks out. You want to think about the motion and keeping those body parts working together like a well-oiled machine. Condition yourself in routine.

What do you look at when you shoot? Some people eye that rim before release. Others look at the net. Try to figure out where you need to train your eye before you release. A player doesn't always get to see that elusive goal when being defended. Squaring up helps, by finding your favorite spots on the court. Conditioning will help you send the ball the right distance. It's the practice that is bringing it all together.

Know your strengths. It's tempting to try to take it downtown. What distance feels the most comfortable when releasing the ball? Considering defenses and stretching the court to accommodate inside and outside play, 15-feet is a common range. The more you back it up, the lower the accuracy. But with practice and strength training, an athlete can go back 22-25 feet.

The follow-through is the last and most important part of that jump shot. In one motion, you can bring the ball up from your waist, cock back the arms as your feet leave the ground, before extending that shooting arm forward. Where is the ball in your hand? You don't want it in your palm. It should roll up to the finger tips. Your hand needs to wave that ball away and flap down on release.

The entire process of jump shooting becomes fluid from practice, and a thing of beauty. You can feel it because you have seen great players do it, and it is a special feeling when that ball passes through the goal. The art of good shooting begins with patience and practice. Conditioning and knowing your limitations play a key part in bringing it all together.

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