10 Types of Shooting in Basketball

There are many different types of basketball shots. Some of the most basic basketball shots include:

1. 1. Bank shot: A bank shot occurs when an offensive player attempts to make a field goal with a jump shot, and the ball bounces off the backboard and goes into the basket without hitting the rim.
2. 2. Dunk: A dunk, or slam dunk, is an offensive shot attempt in which a player scores a two-point field goal by jumping into the air and slamming the ball into the net while touching the rim of the basket with one or two hands.
3. 3. Free throw: A free throw, or foul shot, is an unguarded scoring attempt made at the free-throw line, a line on the basketball court located fifteen feet from the net. A referee awards free throws to a basketball player after a member of the opposing team commits a personal or technical foul against them, their teammates, or an official. Free throws provide a basketball team with an opportunity to score points outside of the shot clock during a game. Former Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Lakers power forward Karl Malone holds the National Basketball Association (NBA) record for most free throws scored in a career, while Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry has the best free throw percentage (90.66).
4. 4. Granny shot: A granny shot, or underhand shot, is a shooting style in which the player holds the ball in two hands with arms extended in front of their body. The shooter bends and raises their knees while bringing the ball down their legs and releases it on the upswing. Most players avoid granny shots because of their negative connotations, but NBA player Rick Barry held a lifetime free-throw percentage of ninety percent using granny shots.
5. 5. Floater: A floater is a layup variation in which the ball handler throws a high arc toward the net while jumping up on one or two feet. It is a difficult shot to master, but a great shooter can add this type of shot to their basketball skills with regular basketball training.
6. 6. Hook shot: This one-handed shot requires the player to stand close to the hoop and swing their arm in a curved motion to send the ball toward the hoop and score a field goal. In a jump hook, the ball handler stands with their back to the basket and then turns on their pivot foot to jump while flicking the ball into the net. Popularized by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the skyhook has the player pivot and turn with their shoulder to the basket, jumping on one foot and hooking their arm over their head to score the field goal.
7. 7. Jump shot: A jump shot is one of the most basic shooting techniques and common ways to make a field goal in a basketball game. To make a jump shot, basketball players use their legs to jump straight up while raising the ball above their heads. Jump shots are best for mid-range to long-range shots. A fadeaway is a jump shot in which the player shooting the ball jumps backward. It’s one of the most challenging shots to defend against because it creates space between the shooter and a defensive player.
8. 8. Layup: Layups are also one of the most basic shots, especially within a short range of the basket. The ball handler dribbles the ball as they approach the basket and raises it with one hand to bounce it off the backboard and into the net. Once they stop dribbling to aim, they can only take two steps or receive a violation for traveling.
9. 9. Pull-up: A pull-up is a two-motion jump shot in which the player drives to the net while dribbling, stops, and jumps up to take the shot. The player then lands on both feet (jump step) or in a one-two step, where they land on their right or left foot and follow with the opposite. A pull-up three is a pull-up made at the three-point line. Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets is considered a top pull-up jump shooter.
10. 10. Three-point shot: A three-point shot—a three-point field goal or three-pointer—is an essential shot made outside the three-point line, the arc situated twenty-two feet from the net. It’s worth three points instead of the two awarded to other field goals. Basketball Hall of Famer Ray Allen holds the NBA record for career three-point shots, while Steph Curry has the record for the most three-point shots during finals.

The fundamentals of shooting in basketball involve balance, shooting form, and basic shooting skills. Following are steps for beginners to pursue successful basketball shooting:

1. 1. Focus: Focus on the metal circle attached to the backboard. Don’t follow the arc of the ball—keep your attention on the rim and net that hangs below it.
2. 2. Stance: Before shooting, your feet should be shoulder-width apart to maintain your balance. Pay attention to footwork: Point your feet in the direction of the basket, with your shooting foot—the foot on the same side as your shooting hand, or the hand you’ll use to shoot the ball—slightly ahead of the other foot. Bend your knees.
3. 3. Grip: Hold the ball several inches above your waist and grip it with your shooting hand under the ball and your non-shooting hand on the side of the ball. Tuck your elbows close to your body, and raise the ball in front of your head.
4. 4. Shoot: Extend your shooting arm in a straight line towards the rim and release the ball with a flick of the wrist. The ball should leave your hand with a backspin, which means that the bottom of the basketball is rotating away from you.
5. 5. Jump: Use your legs to create upforce, or lift, while shooting the ball. Release the ball just before you reach the top of the jump, then land smoothly.
6. 6. Follow-through: Follow-through is the last part of your shot. You should fully extend the elbow of your shooting arm. Keep the wrist of your shooting hand relaxed but still pointed towards the rim. Hold your follow-through until the ball reaches the rim.

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