In the game of basketball, the most powerful weapon offensively is a jump shot. Having an effective jumper allows you to extend the defense, be a threat at crunch time, score at will, earn the defenders respect, etc. Your offensive game will benefit greatly with a fundamentally sound jump shot. This article is a guide and reference for you to perfect the jumper and use it effectively against your opposition.
To start off, we need to learn and remember the basics. There is an acronym that we use in the basketball world to remember the fundamentals of a jump shot. We use B.E.E.F as a starting point to get the basics down. Let me explain what B.E.E.F stands for and why it’s important:
1. Balance
Having a strong base is the first aspect of a perfect jump shot. After all, a jump shot begins with your lower body, not your upper body. Having great balance means your legs should be shoulder width apart and your shooting foot should be slightly ahead of your non-shooting foot. So if you shoot with your right hand then your right foot should be about a few inches in front of your left foot. Next, your knees should be slightly bent. Your feet and shoulders should be aligned with the basketball hoop. If you have someone available, you should have them give you a soft push. If you are wobbly then that means your not balanced. If you hold strong, that means you have a solid base and are ready for the next step.
2. Eyes
This is pretty obvious right? You need to look at the basket in order to shoot. What you should be looking at is a personal choice. You can look at the front of the rim, middle or back. Personally, I’ve always looked at the back because more of my shots fall short than long. The key is to be consistent at what your target is and only concentrate on that spot (not the ball, your hand or anything else).
3. Elbow
Keeping your elbow in will allow you to get the forward, straight motion you need when shooting a jump shot. Your elbow should be aligned with the basket at a 90 degree angle. The angle will allow you to have your hand under the ball in order to create a snap of the wrist. To be in control, the ball should be resting on the pads of your fingers with your off-hand on the side to help guide the shot.
4. Follow Through
The follow through is the key to a perfect jump shot. If you watch players with great jumpers, you will often see them leave the hand high in the air until the ball has reached the rim. After the ball leaves your hand, your arm, wrist and hand should resemble a goose neck. Another way to look at it is your arm should look like you are taking a cookie from a cookie jar in the top cabinet. The purpose of a follow through is to make sure you’re guiding the ball through the basket!
B.E.E.F is a great tool to put in the back of your mind. Let’s delve further into the guts of shooting the perfect jump shot. Below are some important tips that will allow you to become a better shooter.
Jump up (not forward or back)
When you go up for a jump shot you should be jumping completely vertical. If you you are balanced on the ground, you also want to be balanced in the air. You will have more control of your body and in turn will be a consistent shooter.
Arc the ball
Shots that have a higher arc compared to a line drive have a much better chance of going in. Using angles to your 
advantage is an edge you can gain to perfect your shot.
Don’t force the shot
In order to shoot the perfect shot you have to take the perfect shot. By this I mean you need to open and in rhythm. You want to be great in picking which shots are bad, ok and great. A great shot opportunity is when you are open, the defender is far enough where he/she can’t block, you have enough time to square up and you feel “right.”
Don’t lose confidence
As a shooter, you need to believe your shot is going in every time. If you miss one, know that the next shot you take is going in. If you miss 5 in a row, don’t stop shooting! A great shooter needs to know he or she is capable of shooting 50 for 50 and you can!
Stay in your range (and stop showing off)
A perfect shot needs to be taken within your shooting range. You don’t need to impress your friends and parents with long range shots that just clank off the rim 90% of the time. Know what your range is and gradually work your way out until you feel comfortable.
Muscle Memory is key
If you want have the perfect jump shot you need to practice and often. With enough practice and repetition you can train your muscles to have the same, fluid motion every time you go up for a shot.
Start with the legs
Your jump shot does not start with the wrist, it starts with the lift in your legs. You need to bend your knees to get the proper strength to shoot a basketball. A word of advice for young shooters, you don’t need to show off how high you can jump when shooting a basketball. I see so many young basketball players trying to get a high, unnecessary, lift when they struggle to reach the rim because they are off balance. Instead, work on the mechanics and jump so you are comfortable.
Don’t worry about being blocked
It’s inevitable that you will get blocked from time to time. You need to ignore the defender to shoot each shot the way you practice. You will often get distracted when you are watching or worrying about the defender coming at you.
