Any good NBA player has to be able to shoot the fadeaway jumper, the classic one-legged jump shot that sends the ball up high and off the backboard before falling down into the hoop. Fadeaways have been incredibly important in basketball’s history, being integral to players like Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Kobe Bryant’s games in their day. If you want to learn how to shoot more fadeaways like a pro and add it to your own arsenal of moves, here are five tips on getting started.
1) Keep your mechanics consistent
A fadeaway is a tricky shot to make and it’s not surprising that many players have trouble mastering it. What separates a good fadeaway from a bad one is consistency in mechanics. These five tips will help you shoot consistent fadeaways all game long. 1) Keep your follow-through as consistent as possible. 2) Establish your pivot foot before fading away from your shot. 3) Choose a higher shooting pocket, closer to your forehead, rather than near your waist or chest. 4) Use both hands in order to develop greater balance for making a better percentage of shots during games. 5) Don’t rush – fadeaways take time and practice! You can be more successful with every shot if you keep things consistent.
2) Create separation between you and the defender
One of the most underrated techniques for getting open on offense is creating separation from your defender. While it may not get you an open shot every time, it will get you shots you wouldn’t normally get—and getting an open shot at least occasionally is all that matters. How do you create separation? A fadeaway jump shot can be incredibly effective in doing so. Shooting over your defender gives you more space to get an open look from 3-point range and, best of all, there’s no reason to be worried about your defender contesting (the risk involved with using a pump fake). As long as you have enough space for your feet to land comfortably, there’s no reason not to pull up.
3) Work on your accuracy
Developing a consistent shooting form allows you to create better muscle memory, which will help you become a more accurate shooter. There are a number of different methods that can be used to improve accuracy and consistency. One way is to use a basketball target or practice hoop in your driveway for 100 shots at each spot on the rim—the middle and outside edge for example. Many players place either tape or paper on their rims to mark specific spots, but it’s not necessary. Just make sure you practice from all areas of your court (including behind and in front of your basket) because playing in tight spaces might require precise shooting from several spots on your hoop.
4) Work on finishing with different moves
No, we don’t mean practice foul shots. Rather, it’s important to build up your game in different ways and with different moves. Master fadeaway jumpers and follow-throughs can help take you from solid intermediate player to a confident advanced one who’s not afraid of more complex moves. We say master because these moves require accuracy and consistency, which will come with regular practice. Here are five easy tips for working on finishing with different moves
5) Work on how much touch you need based on where you are shooting from
You may think that everyone shoots fadeaway jumpers from as close to half court as possible, but some of your favorite NBA players will actually shoot them from much farther away. Work on how much touch you need based on where you’re shooting from—you’ll discover your range and learn more about what moves you need to make depending on how far out you’re standing. For example, if you’re taking longer fadeaways, it means that either 1) it’s easier for you than 3-pointers or 2) you have time in your game routine to work on it. If it’s easier, then focus on improving your touch until 3-pointers are within reach; if they’re not within reach at all because of time constraints, just practice at that range.
If you want to level up your shooting accuracy, we got you. We created the 6ixShooter Academy. A one-stop basketball training program to help elevate your game and become an unstoppable shooter with coach Seth McCoy a.k.a 6ixShooter. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE
If you want to level up your shooting accuracy, we got you. We created the 6ixShooter Academy. A one-stop basketball training program to help elevate your game and become an unstoppable shooter with coach Seth McCoy a.k.a 6ixShooter. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE
