HUGE Shooting Myth Debunked: Palm ON or OFF the Ball?

Shooting a basketball with your palm on or off the ball may seem like a small detail, but it can have an impact on your shot. Here is our view on whether you should have the Palm ON or OFF the Ball?

A team of researchers recently conducted a study at the University of Utah and discovered that shooting with your palm on the ball resulted in lower shooting accuracy, leading to more missed shots, and that the opposite was true when shooting with your palm off the ball.

We break down all the details and explain how you can use this information to improve your own shooting. Here’s everything you need to know about having your palm on or off the ball while shooting hoops.

Appreciate you stopping by for some basketball tips. Before you go any further , I have a special offer for you if you are looking for more basketball shooting training.
Join 6ixShooter Academy, our basketball training training program, you’ll learn how to instantly fix your form, accuracy, and range.” Click this link to learn more here.

Table of Contents

Most players shoot better with their palms off

The palm-off method allows a small pocket to see the rim when shooting the basketball.

A good way to understand the difference between shooting with your palm on or off the ball is to stand in front of a mirror and shoot with one hand, then switch and shoot with the other. If you notice that one shot feels more natural, that’s likely your shooting hand.

When it comes to gaining a feel for your shot, most players shoot better with their palms off because it allows them to use more of their fingers instead of relying so much on just their palm.

The exception is if you have wide hands and aren’t used to having them away from your body when shooting; try it both ways and see which feels best.

Don’t forget to keep moving the ball around

The best shooters in the world have an amazing habit: They never let the basketball rest in their shooting hand for too long.

Instead, they continuously move the ball around in their hands, shifting it from hand to hand and creating a rhythm that serves as a point of focus. This might seem like needless exertion, but studies show that shooting while moving the ball around helps shooters stay focused and confident—and that’s when you make your best shots.

It’s not so much about which palm you use but whether you keep your hands busy before shooting. So if you want to be a better shooter, don’t worry about having your palm on or off the ball while shooting basketball.

Just shoot with confidence by keeping your hands moving and shooting often.

Avoid over gripping the basketball

Many shooters grip the ball tightly and then, in an effort to shoot with a softer touch, attempt to use their other hand to loosen the shooting hand.

However, gripping the ball too loosely can be just as problematic as gripping it too tightly. Instead of trying to solve one problem by causing another, simply relax your grip slightly. By adjusting your hold, you’ll allow for more control over your shot and better balance during the follow-through.

This is a good rule of thumb whether you’re using your dominant or non-dominant hand—the basketball doesn’t care which hand is in charge! If you have trouble finding the right balance between looseness and tightness, start with a few extra shots where your palm faces down toward the court.

Don’t put much pressure into it

Notice how tense you are when shooting the ball, too much tension results in coming short, while you’re palms are off the ball results in coming long.

There is a point of perfect balance where shooting becomes the easiest it can be, allowing you to get your shot off easier than you would if not even touching the ball. We may never reach that point but there is a sweet spot to help us along our way!

The key to perfection comes down to finding what works for your personal style of play but we have to remember there is no one perfect answer for every person, so don’t feel pressured into getting everything just right!

How do you know if you have your palm right?

Take a ball with you to the gym. Once you have the palm placed properly, you’re follow through will feel natural when you shoot.

Take a shot and make sure the ball rotates forward towards your target. The rotation of the ball will tell you whether your palm is facing inwards (away from the target) or outwards (towards the target).

In turn, if your palm is too flat, pull it up slowly until it’s just under your chin. If your palm is too high, move it down slowly until it’s positioned below your earlobe.

Different basketballs affect how well you play

While a little bit of ball switching is probably ok, you may be throwing off your mechanics and overall form if you’re going from a regular ball to one that’s smaller or bigger than what you’re used to.

In fact, most NBA players use balls with a 27 circumference while high school and college players generally use balls with a 28 circumference.

To get your best shooting form, focus on practicing with an NBA-sized basketball and avoid larger (and harder to shoot) basketballs like Spalding Critical Defense orange basketballs. Bottom line: Shooters train for unconventional reasons and different basketballs are a chance to train that muscle.

For guidance on which size ball you need, consult our guide for finding the perfect ball for your playing style.