How to Consistently Hit Midrange Jumpshots
One of the most frustrating parts of playing basketball at any level is being unable to hit midrange jumpshots with consistency. The shots are easy enough, but knocking them down consistently can seem impossible if you don’t know what you’re doing wrong or how to fix it. Luckily, if you follow these simple steps, you’ll be hitting your midrange jumpshots like a pro in no time.
Pick your favorite shots
You’ve worked hard on your shooting, and now it’s time to take what you have learned in the midrange. The best shots are the ones you are comfortable shooting in the midrange, which is where most of the game takes place. Don’t try to be someone else when you are shooting a jumpshot. Just be yourself, but be aggressive. If a defender gets in your way, get around him with your body and use him as a screen by stepping into his space while keeping control of the ball, shoot over him if he is too high or slow down and pull up if he goes under the screen or jumps over it.
Go through a shooting progression
During each drill, force yourself to follow a shooting program that strengthens every area of your shooting ability. This may involve making sacrifices in certain areas but is ultimately worth it if you’re looking for long-term improvement and consistency. While it would be nice if there was a right answer for midrange shooting, it doesn’t exist. So we have a list of drills that will help you figure out what works best for you and your game. There are a lot of things involved with shooting and making basketball shots, but as far as making midrange jumpers goes: consistency is king! Once you find something that helps increase your midrange shooting percentage, make sure to do it on a consistent basis. Don’t stray from your routine or skip out on one of these exercises—it will only hurt your cause and lower your chances of improving even further. Instead, use our step-by-step guide below to get you started on a plan that fits into your schedule so you can keep pushing forward toward an all-around better shot.
Get stronger
Starting a strength training routine is probably one of the best things you can do to improve your shooting consistency. Depending on age, you should start strength training in order to get stronger at shooting. It doesn’t matter if you are already in high school or have graduated, starting a lifting program will improve your shooting ability. Doing squats and deadlifts will help build up strength in your legs which are essential for jumping and sprinting speed. More importantly, it will also increase explosiveness which is what you need to be able to quickly shoot from midrange and make quick moves on defense. Olympic lifts like the power clean, hang cleans, snatches, and jerks all target explosiveness as well so including them into your workout routine will definitely be helpful as well.
Change your mindset about shots around the rim
Our brains are wired to avoid midrange shots. They’re a bit of a crapshoot since the defender will do his best to block the shot—and often succeed. Plus, let’s be honest: Most people can’t hit jumpers from that distance very well. However, if you believe that shooting closer to the rim is better than stepping out (you know because it is), then you’ll change your mindset about midrange shots and realize that they’re actually easier to make! Since you won’t have time to think about whether or not your midrange jumper will go in, your mind will just automatically assume that it’s going in, which means more points for you. It also helps if you work on your game at shorter distances so you have more experience hitting shots around the rim and are thus less likely to miss them when defenders get close. So next time there’s a long rebound near midcourt, don’t settle for a three-pointer—drive into traffic instead and show off some confidence with an easy layup!
9 Dribble/4 Step/Turnaround Jumper
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
