Drills For Developing How To Use Your Body And Forearm For Protecting The Ball
Diagram 1 shows a drill to help develop protecting the basketball.

1. Dribble down to the 3 pt line with your right hand on the right side.

2. Turn your body to the right and raise your left forearm keeping it fairly close to the body.

3. Then back dribble a few bounces back and then cross over dribble and change hands. As you then start to dribble with the left hand also lift your right forearm for protection.

4. Continue to the left side and execute the same move starting with your left hand. As the diagram shows the player goes back and forth developing the correct body and forearm position.

Do this drill first without defense and then add defense.

Using Blocking Dummy
After developing the protecting techniques, then it is good to add the blocking dummy. Just have the defensive player following the back and forth move. The defensive player can apply different amounts of pressure.

Coach Baumgartner
"I do a lot of private lessons and it is very surprising how many good players do not protect the ball well with correct body position and correct use of the forearm."

Forearm Slightly Slanted
When a player lifts the ball and cocks the hand and wrist before thrusting the ball to the basket, the forearm should be slanted slightly. It is not straight up and down. The most natural and most correct way is for the forearm to be slightly slanted. This correct way is shown in picture 1 and 2.

Floater
The floater or teardrop shot is especially valuable to a player who drives to the basket a lot. It is an offensive weapon that can be used to beat that big defensive center`s hand. It is also an over-all accurate shot.

Techniques For Developing The Floater
When executing the floater a player should execute the shot the same way on both the right and left side of the court. It is recommended that a player not try to develop both a right and left handed floater. Most of the players who shoot a great floater use their strong hand on both sides of the court.

Right Handed Players
Right handed players should step in with left foot and lift the ball with the right hand and shoot it. The right knee comes up when lifting the ball.

Left Handed players
Left handed players should step in with right foot and lift the ball with the left hand and shoot it. The left knee comes up when lifting the ball.

Other Techniques For Executing The Floater
The player should go straight up for balance and arc on the shot. The hand and wrist action should be the same as for a jump shot. The palm faces the basket in the beginning and end of the floater or teardrop shot.

Basketball Camps
The floater or teardrop shot is explained, shown and taught at our basketball shooting camps.

Individual Lessons
Coach Baumgartner also teaches the floater or teardrop shot in his individual lessons. He teaches what a player is ready for in his individual lessons. Shots he teaches are basic jump shot, 3 pt shot, pull-up jumper off the dribble, free throw, step back shot, spin and shoot, floater or teardrop shot. He also teaches other offensive skills such as: dribbling, driving, and finishing. He can easily help the beginner. He also teaches all the advanced moves and shots that the older and more advanced player needs. -- Coach Baumgartner

Very Common Mistake
One of the most common and worst mistakes you can make in shooting is not to finish each shot. We have just finished 5 weeks of basketball shooting camps and at least 40% of the players came into camp not finishing their shot.

Follow Through For More Consistency In Shooting A Basketball Well
Players when practicing shooting should follow through and finish their shot each time. By developing the habit of finishing each shot a player will have a better stroke and also a more consistent shot. A player will also have better distance.

Form Drill
Practicing the form drill is the best drill to use to develop new shooting mechanics or correct old incorrect habits.

1. Start 6 to 8 feet in front of the basket.

2. Start shot with correct grip and ball in shooting pocket.

3. Make sure you push up and follow through when finishing shot. When following through get your fingers and wrist into the follow through. The most ideal finish is where the fingers angle down some when finishing.

4. If you run the form drill correctly, the angle of your arm when the ball is released will also be correct and not flat. Make the form drill the foundation of your shot.

Remember Great Basketball Shooters Finish Each Shot Well

Basketball Camps
We had 5 great weeks of basketball camps this Summer and we want to wish each player who attended the very best in their shooting and other offensive skills this coming basketball season. -- Coach Baumgartner

Shooting Thumb
It is very important to grip the basketball correctly with the shooting thumb.

When a player grips correctly with the shooting thumb he or she will automatically in a natural way have a better release and more power for better distance.

Remember, just by gripping correctly with the shooting thumb so many good things will happen with your shooting.

Coach Baumgartner
Each year that I teach basketball shooting, using the shooting thumb correctly becomes more and more important. That is why I am reviewing using the shooting thumb. Picture one shows where a player should grip with the shooting thumb.

You can get more information on the shooting thumb and grip in general by reviewing the August 2008 shooting tip and the April 2007 tip.

Basketball Shooting Camps
We have done an even better job this Summer with getting players to grip the basketball correctly. The results have been great in our first two Boys Shooting Camps. We have one boys camp left and two girls camps starting in July. Any girls interested in improving their basketball shooting and over- all scoring will really benefit by attending one of the girls camps in July. We still have some openings in the two weeks of girls shooting camps.

Besides covering the different ways to shoot a basketball ( shooting off the dribble, 3 pt. shooting, free throws, step back and shoot, spin and shoot, shooting off the pick, we also cover how to score( dribbling, driving, spinning, lay-up techniques, etc. and more. We are able to teach you a lot of ways to score, because our drills and techniques are so well broken down that we can teach any forth grader what we teach an older player.
-- Coach Baumgartner

3 Pt. Footwork
Coach Baumgartner distinguishes the differences in 3 pt. shooting through footwork. There are four basic footwork procedures used for 3 pt shooting.

1-2 Footwork
The 1-2 footwork procedure is where the player steps with one foot and then the other. In spot up shooting, a right hander would first step with his or her left foot and then the right foot.

The 1-2 step is one of the most common shooting footwork procedures. It is used at times by grade school, jr. high, high school, college, and pro players.

Putting Shooting Foot Down
This footwork method for a right handed player starts with his or her left foot planted with the right foot back some. The player brings his or her right foot up and goes into the shot. This footwork procedure is used some by players of all levels. The diagram shows this footwork procedure.

Stationary Footwork
This is where the player`s feet are already positioned before he or she receives the ball. From this stationary position a player receives the ball and goes down (bends knees) and comes up and off the floor and shoots the basketball.

This is the quickest way to shoot the 3 pt. shot. This footwork method is used some in high school and college, but more in the Pros.. It is not a method taught by many coaches.

Jump Stop
This is where a player hops into the shot with both feet going down at the same time. This is also a quick way to shoot a 3 pt. shot. This footwork procedure is used by some players at all levels.

Players using the jump stop for 3 pt shooting should realize that this is a very difficult method used to time the shot correctly. Players using this footwork method usually are not consistent in their 3 pt shooting.

3 Pt. Footwork Used By Players
Some players use basically one footwork procedure to shoot 3 Pt. Shots. Some players use more than one footwork procedure depending upon the 3 pt. situation. Remember that most players have one footwork method that they practice most of the time.

Basketball Shooting Camps
Join us this Summer for a great shooting experience. With our experience we do a great job of teaching 3 pt. shooting - shooting off the dribble - free throw shooting - step back shooting - spin and shoot - floater or teardrop shooting - shooting off the pick. We also teach you shots that will help you finish well such as the conventional lay up, near arm lay-up, and power lay-up. -- Coach Baumgartner

This tip of the month will review the very important footwork used when shooting off the pick or pulling up and shooting a jump shot.

1-2 Footwork
Great shooters use the 1-2 footwork most of the time when shooting off the pick or pulling up to shoot off the dribble. Occasionally, because of foot position before going into the shot, a player will use a jump stop.

Timing The Shot And Going Into The Shot From Tough Angles
It is easier to time on-the-move shooting using the 1-2 footwork procedure. It is also much easier to square up from tough angles on the floor using the 1-2 Footwork.

Inside Foot Down First Going Either Right Or Left
It is best to square up with the 1-2 footwork where you put the inside foot down first going both ways (right or left). This is illustrated in Diagram One. It shows the inside foot is put down first and then the outside foot is brought around.

Practice
You will need to practice pivoting on your inside foot and bringing your outside foot around to square up correctly to the basket. Remember, great shooters use 1-2 footwork for on-the-move shooting most of the time with an occasional jump stop when the foot position going into the shot dictates a jump stop.

Jump Stop In Shooting
In general most great shooters do not practice a lot of shooting using the jump stop. The reason as mentioned above is because it is more difficult to time the shot off the jump stop. Check the great players on TV and you will see we teach what the great players are doing to be great.

Spot-Up Footwork
There are four different footwork procedures used in spot-up shooting. They will be covered in the near future.

Basketball Shooting Footwork Taught At Our Camps
We use great drills and techniques to teach basketball shooting footwork. We explain, show, and practice the best footwork procedures for shooting the free throw, 3 pt. shot, shooting off the pick, and pulling up and shooting off the dribble. Join us this Summer for a great basketball experience. We have successfully helped thousands of players in the past become much better shooters and would like the opportunity to help you. -- Coach Dick Baumgartner

Ideal Position
Picture 1 shows the ideal position of the shooting arm and the balance arm before lifting the ball. As you can see the shooting arm is loose and close to the side. The balance elbow is out some to make it easy to lift the ball.

Incorrect
It is incorrect to start with both elbows close to the body. It is also incorrect then to keep them close when lifting the ball. This causes a very stiff action where the player will not shoot well.

Other Shooting Arm and Balance Arm Positions
There are other shooting arm and balance arm positions that are also correct. There are some shooting and balance arm positions that are not understood which are correct. If your method is different from the ideal and you are doing well with it, I would stay with it.

One Tip To Follow
One tip to follow is to remember that regardless where you position your balance arm before you lift the ball it has to come out some after you lift the ball. This principle must be followed to keep the body action loose and not tight. You don`t want anything hindering your following through. You want to be able to use all parts of the shooting arm correctly. Picture 2 shows the position of the balance elbow after the ball has been lifted.

Picture 3 shows the player following through correctly. You can see with the balance elbow out after lifting the ball, the shooting arm is not hindered in any way. All the arm parts are in line and in the shot line with the fingers and wrist following through correctly.

Basketball Shooting Camps
Join us this summer and learn the best ways to shoot the 3 pt. shot, free throw, pull up jumper, floater or teardrop shot, step out shot, spin move shot, near arm lay-up and more. Of course, we will also cover the basics and the correct mechanics in shooting the basketball. We will also provide the best dribbling techniques so you will be prepared for the dribble, drive, shoot, pass, or go all the way to the basket offense which is the offense of today. Coaches want players who can score. -- Coach Baumgartner

Most Common Foot Alignment
The most common foot alignment is where the player aligns his or her shooting foot with the nail on the floor. The nail is directly in line with the center of the basket. From this foot position, a very good shooter will not have his or her ball in line with the center of the basket before thrusting it to the basket.

With this foot alignment If you check the shooter from behind you will see that the ball is not in line with the center of the basket before thrusting the ball to the basket. To have the ball directly in line with the basket from this foot position a player would have to cock the hand and wrist in line with the shoulder. This arm alignment is incorrect.

Word of warning: if you are doing well with aligning your shooting foot with the nail it is recommended that you stay with this foot procedure. There are good shooters who line up with the nail.

Ideal Foot Position
The ideal foot position for free throw shooting is where the player aligns his or her shooting foot a little right of the nail on the floor. (right handed player) This foot position is shown in Picture One. From this foot position a player who has correct arm alignment will have his or her ball directly in line with the center of the basket before thrusting it to the basket.

If you check the shooter from behind you will see when the ball is lifted that it will be directly in line with the center of the basket before it is thrusted to the basket.

Different Shooters Checked Throughout The Years
Almost all of the very good shooters that I have checked through out the years aligned the shooting foot a little right of center. From shooting so much they can tell a little right of center feels the best. The three shooters that I have on the free throw DVD that I produced all line up a little right of center. None of them were told to line up that way for free throw shooting. They in a natural way had figured out what felt the best.

When I checked Eric Gordon`s free throw he also had found what felt the best and that was a little right of center. No one had told him to line up that way for free throw shooting. Again a little right of center is the IDEAL FOOT ALIGNMENT for free throw shooting.

You might want to try this free throw foot position of being a little right of center. Again, if you are doing well with aligning your shooting foot with the nail, I would recommend staying with it.

Basketball Shooting Camps
We cover all aspects of shooting a free throw at our basketball shooting camps. Join us this summer and learn about the best techniques and drills for free throw shooting, 3 pt. shooting, pulling-up and shooting, step out or back shooting, teardrop shooting and more. We are teaching what players need to be a success in todays basketball game and the game of the future. -- Coach Baumgartner

Footwork
Coach Baumgartner has covered some footwork in the past, but without pictures. It is very important to have correct foot position when going into the shot from a stationary position or on-the-move.

Your feet should be shoulder or hip width apart. A general rule to follow when developing your footwork is to basically have your feet underneath you.

The most common and correct and incorrect foot positions are shown below. The foot positions are shown for a right handed shooter, just reverse techniques for a left handed player.

Feet Parallel
This foot position is correct and used by many players. The feet are basically parallel and pointed ahead.

This foot position is shown in Picture 1

Shooting Foot Straight Ahead and Other Foot Turned Out Some
This foot position is also used by many very good shooters and is correct.

This foot position is shown in Picture 2

Shooting Foot Slightly Ahead
This is also a popular and correct foot position used when shooting a basketball.

This foot position is shown in Picture 3

The three above foot positions are the ones used by the very good shooters. Don`t worry about slight variations if the player is shooting well.

Both Feet Turned Out
This foot procedure is taught by some and it is not a good foot position for on-the-move shooting.

The more the feet are turned the more the body is affected. When a player develops this foot position his or her body will turn in the air when shooting on-the-move. The body has to turn because of rotary momentum which is a principle of motion. Again, how your feet are positioned in the beginning will dictate what happens to the body when you jump up. Divers are very familiar with rotary momentum. The turning motion makes it more difficult to keep the ball in the shot line. This foot position is not recommended and is especially bad when a player turns the feet a lot.

This foot position is shown in Picture 4

Shooting Foot Too Far In Front
This is another foot position taught by some and it affects balance and getting full use of leg power. In general, it is not a good procedure to get arms and legs too far out from body when executing a shot. This heel-toe foot position is considered incorrect and is not recommended.

This foot position is shown in Picture 5

Shooting Foot Back.
This foot position is not taught, but some players get into shooting with the shooting foot back and this is incorrect. It causes players to shoot across the body which is difficult and very few players have any success with this foot position. It is considered incorrect and not recommended.

This foot position is shown in Picture 6

Basketball Shooting Camps
We use great drills and techniques for teaching correct footwork at our shooting camps. We also take great pride making sure we spend enough time on footwork drilling. What we teach is what the great shooters are doing. -- Coach Baumgartner

Incorrectly Over Cocking Hand And Wrist
One of the worst mistakes in shooting a basketball is over cocking the hand and wrist. This mistake is shown in picture 1. When a player does this the hand and fingers go too far under the ball before thrusting and releasing the ball to the basket.

Incorrect Cocking of Hand and Wrist.

Coach Baumgartner calls this mistake "dipped fingers", and he considers it one of the worst two mistakes in shooting a basketball. This mechanical mistake hurts arc, distance, and control of the ball.

This mistake is usually caused by a player starting with the shooting hand too far behind the ball with the wrist bent too much. If a player from this starting position swings the ball up he or she will automatically dip their fingers and have them too far under the ball. Picture 1, shows the fingers dropped too much when the hand and wrist are in the cocked position.

Players who cock hand and wrist in line with the shoulder are more apt to cock hand and wrist incorrectly.

Back Of Hand and Fingers Parallel To The Floor
Picture 2, shows the back of the hand and fingers parallel to the floor before thrusting and releasing the basketball. This is correct.

Correct Cocking of Hand and Wrist.

Fingers Slightly Up
Picture 3 shows the fingers slightly up before thrusting and releasing the ball to the basket. This is also correct.

Correct Cocking of Hand and Wrist.

Basketball Shooting Camps
Our basketball shooting camps are the most experienced and attended in the U.S.. Through our great techniques, drills and one-on-one we can definitely help you become a better shooter and all around scorer. Plan on joining us this Summer for a great offensive basketball experience.