To MPLS Lakers Summer Shot Club registrants -

Thanks for joining our first ever Summer Shot Club! We will be sharing some shooting tips periodically with program registrants to give you some things to think about and work on as you focus on getting quality repetitions. As we get shots up, we are focused on building muscle memory for a proper technique that fits us as a player.

For me, the shot begins with hand placement on the ball. Getting our shooting hand centered on the ball needs to be an intentional act. Centered on the ball can mean different things for different players.

First, let’s agree that the center of the ball is marked by the inflation valve. This valve (where you insert the needle to inflate the basketball) is the indisputable center of the basketball. Now, how do you find the middle of your hand? For a long time, I thought the middle of my hand was my middle finger. But for most players, the middle finger is not the middle of the hand. Actually, the index finger in the middle of the hand!

Here’s a quick experiment to visualize this:
Hold your shooting hand out in front of you
Spread your fingers comfortably wide
Note that the distance between your thumb and your index finger equals the distance between your pinky finger and index finger.

If you see this is true for you, then yes, your index finger is the middle of your hand.

Now, try this with a ball with your index finger on the valve. Does the ball feel centered? You may need to experiment to find what works best for you. The only three options for players are:
Index finger on valve (most preferred)
Valve in-between index finger and middle finger
Middle finger on valve

If having your index finger on the valve is not how you have shot the ball previously, gradually move toward that and experiment. Make sure to spread your fingers comfortably wide so you have good control of the ball. Find what works for you and realize that the more centered the ball is on your hand, the less you will need to compensate in other areas of your shot technique.

The next area of ball placement in your shooting hand is getting the ball onto the pads of your hands and fingertips. All finger pads and hand pads should be touching the basketball. This is why I prefer to start form shooting practice with the palm of my shooting hand facing up and the ball resting on the pads. The small gap in the middle of your hand should not be touching the ball.

The final step with hand placement is using the balance hand. Some coaches call this off hand the guide hand. The balance hand is on the side of the ball and quietly keeps the ball in balance and supported while the shooter raises up. The balance hand does not guide or push the shot. The balance hand should be completely off of the ball before the wrist begins to snap forward on the shooting hand. After removing the off hand, the non shooting arm should remain as motionless as possible while the shot continues.

A great way to make sure your balance hand is quiet is to check after each shot that the thumb on your balance hand is pointing toward your head and that the palm of your balance hand is facing your shooting arm. Thumbing the ball with your balance hand is a common habit among young shooters. If you find yourself pushing the ball forward with the thumb of your balance hand, summer is the perfect time to break this habit. Although it is a really hard habit to break, it is even harder to shoot consistently while thumbing the ball forward with the balance hand. Now is the right time to break yourself of this habit if you realize you are thumbing the ball.

Form shooting both with and without using your balance hand on the ball is the best way to work on these small habits and to develop the right muscle memory. Experiment a little bit so you can understand what is right for you and make that your habit. When you are form shooting, use the valve on the ball to check your hand placement. If a ball with colored panels (like the WNBA or ABA ball) is available, use it as it will more clearly show if your ball rotation is even. Summer is the perfect time to work on great habits and the little details that are the foundation of your basketball shot.

I hope this helps you be intentional about your hand placement and that you have a great week of shooting!

Chance Veasey

Chance is a coach in the MPLS Lakers program and a Coaching Director on the board.