How to Shoot the Basketball with a Higher Arc
In basketball, you’re given two choices when you’re shooting from the 3-point line—shoot it high or shoot it low. Both ways have advantages and disadvantages, but which one should you choose? The answer lies in your playing style and position on the court. You see, as opposed to shooting straight on with no arc, shooting with a higher arc can be easier to make if you’re further away from the basket, but harder to make if you’re closer to the basket. To find out which way works best for you and your position on the court, read more below!
Know your hoop
Knowing your hoop is key to shooting the ball higher. If you don’t know the distance from the rim to a backboard, or how high the rim is on a specific court, it will be hard to shoot the ball higher. You can measure yourself and practice by shooting at different spots on your own rim until you get used to how high the ball has to go in order for it to hit the backboard, or how low it needs to be for it not to touch. This might take some time, but it’s essential for success when trying out new shots that require better arching.
Practice makes perfect
To shoot the ball higher, practice getting underneath the ball to generate power on the way up when shooting. With your knees bent and back straight, hold the ball out in front of you at arm’s length. Using your legs to generate power as you rise up, shoot it as high into the air as possible. If you’re having trouble getting the ball to go up high enough, you’re likely putting too much arc on it. Aim for something that travels a little bit more vertically than horizontally, but not too much—you should still be able to see some arc in its flight through the air.
The proper form to use
If you want to shoot with a higher arc, your shooting elbow should be lined up with the same leg when shooting. This line running from your elbow to your knee should be perpendicular to the ground. Aligning your arm like that is important for proper shooting mechanics and will ultimately help you shoot with a higher arc. In addition, if you can properly align your arm in the three-point shot, you’ll be able to shoot more easily from behind the line.
Don’t overthink it
You might think that shooting the ball involves just the right hand or maybe it’s all about finding the ideal release point. But, sometimes shooters overthink the shot. It is true that you need some type of guide-hand position, and proper follow-through will make you more consistent at making shots. But when it comes to shooting with an arc, simple mechanics are best. The shot still has an important backspin component, but don’t overthink it: Just toss the ball towards the hoop and watch for results. That’s really all there is to shooting high-arcing shots—when your fingertips hit you know you have the perfect form on your shot.
When In doubt, Find A route!
The best way to get better at shooting is to hire an online trainer. Hiring an online trainer is like hiring a personal coach. The online trainer will review your shot and make recommendations, then adjust your shot as you work on it at home. The best part is that it can be done from anywhere! All you need is an internet connection. When I first hired my online trainer, I didn’t think that there was any way for me to improve my shot since I played basketball since 2nd grade, but after having worked with him for over 2 months now I am amazed by how much he has helped me improve both my shooting skill and confidence level when shooting! So if you are serious about becoming a better shooter then give him a try!
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
