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Practice makes perfect. We all have heard it, every coach has preached, and most players let it go in one ear and out the other. But the truth of the matter is, practice brings a player's jump shot as close to perfect as Michael Jordan is to the perfect player; there will always be room for improvement, but all the basics are present.
To execute the perfect jump shot, a player must first master the set shot. The mechanics of the upper body are the same for any shot, and essentially accuracy comes form the waist up. Eyes to the basket, square the shoulders, and follow through on the shot with the flick of the wrist. Fluidity in the movement of a shot also plays a large role in the effectiveness of a shooter. With fluidity of the shot comes speed, a feel for a shot, where the player will soon learn to know if the shot will go in or not by how the ball came off their fingertips. Once the technicalities of the set shot have been mastered, and only then, should a coach introduce the jump shot. After learning the basics of shooting, a player can develop a jump shot. Coaches often forget to provide the reasoning behind why skills are used. A jump shot is not always the only choice. It is available to players if needed to elevate over an opponent, but because of the elevation, the accuracy of a jump shot is typically less than a set shot; however, a player's shot choice often comes from comfort level. The jumping ability and timing become a key component to executing a good jump shot. After catching the ball, or picking up a dribble, a play must elevate and shot the basketball utilizing the basics of a set shot while in the air, and releasing the ball at the highest point to ensure the effectiveness of the jump shot. To release the shot at a point other than the highest would be effectively eliminating the advantage one gains from a jump shot. It is extremely important to square the shoulders and follow through on the shot to ensure accuracy, or again, the effectiveness of the jump shot is lost.

To improve a player's jump shot, it's a combination of good coaching and practice. It's the coach's function to ensure the proper technique and knowledge is communicated to the player, and it's the player's responsibility to practice what he/she has been taught in order for a jump shot to be effective. To achieve the perfect jump shot, practice, but practice the right technique, over and over again. The jump shot is only one part of the game of basketball, an individual skill that can be refined and perfected, but only when combined with good teamwork, will the practice and perfection of the jump shot be worthwhile. It is only with a team effort can a game be one with individual skills.

Learn more about this author, Kimberlea Carpenter.
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