Shooting is one of the most important skills in basketball. It doesn’t matter how fast you run or how well you can dribble; if you can’t put the ball in the basket, your team won’t score.

The good news is that shooting is a skill anyone can improve with the right focus and practice. You don’t need fancy moves or advanced drills to get better.

What you really need is a solid foundation: good form, strong footwork, and smart practice habits.

In this guide, we’ll walk through simple tips that will help you build accuracy and confidence every time you shoot. Follow these steps, and you’ll start hitting more shots and becoming a bigger threat on the court.

Building the Right Mindset

Before working on drills or mechanics, it’s essential to establish the right mindset. Great shooters aren’t just skilled, they’re confident and consistent.

Confidence comes from practice, but it also comes from believing that every shot you take has a chance to go in. Don’t let a miss shake you.

Instead, focus on learning from each shot and keeping your form steady. Consistency is the key.

When you repeat the same good habits over and over, your body starts to remember the motion, almost like muscle memory.

With the right mindset, you’ll stay calm under pressure and ready to shoot whether you’re wide open or tightly guarded.

How to Improve Your Basketball Shooting Accuracy

These simple yet powerful tips will help you refine your form, increase your confidence, and make every shot more consistent on the court.

1. Keep Your Eyes on the Target

Many players get distracted by the ball as it leaves their hands. Instead, focus on the rim as early as possible.

Locking your eyes on one target spot, whether it’s the front, center, or back of the rim, helps your brain and body coordinate the shot.

This single focus improves accuracy because your hands naturally guide the ball where your eyes are locked. Remember: where your eyes go, your shot usually follows.

2. Master Your Stance and Balance

Balance is the foundation of a good shot. Without it, even the best form will break down. A proper stance keeps your body steady and repeatable.

• Feet shoulder-width apart.
• Knees slightly bent.
• Choose a square or open stance that suits your comfort level.

Whichever stance you choose, stay consistent. A stable base leads to smoother mechanics and gives you confidence to shoot from any spot on the floor.

3. Perfect Your Grip

Your grip decides how much control you have over the ball. Holding it the wrong way often leads to flat or awkward shots. Keep these basics in mind:

• Rest the ball on your finger pads, not your palm.
• Spread your fingers comfortably.
• Leave a small gap between the palm and the ball.
• Keep the grip relaxed, not stiff.

When your grip is right, the ball leaves your hand with smooth backspin and better accuracy.

4. Align Your Elbow and Shooting Hand

A straight shot starts with proper alignment. Your elbow should be directly under the ball, and your shooting hand lined up with the rim. This creates a clear path for the ball to travel without drifting.

Imagine your arm as a hinge moving forward in one smooth motion. If your elbow sticks out, your shot will curve. Keeping everything aligned ensures the ball follows a straight line, giving you the best chance to score consistently.

5. Use Your Legs for Power

Your arms shouldn’t carry all the work. Strong shooters use their legs to generate power. This not only makes the shot smoother but also prevents fatigue.

How to use your legs:

• Bend your knees slightly before lifting.
• Push upward as you release.
• Let the power flow from legs to arms.

With your legs involved, you’ll shoot farther, smoother, and with less strain on your arms.

6. Develop a Smooth, Fluid Release

Your release should feel like one continuous flow. Here’s how to keep it smooth:

• Bring the ball up in one motion.
• Avoid dipping or hesitating.
• Release just before the top of your jump.
• Keep arms and wrists relaxed.

When these steps flow together, your shot looks effortless. A fluid release helps you build rhythm, and rhythm is what separates consistent shooters from streaky ones.

7. Hold Your Follow-Through

Think of your follow-through as the “finish line” of your shot. After releasing, your hand and wrist should freeze in a relaxed position.

• Wrist bent, fingers pointing at the rim.

This classic “gooseneck” form helps ensure backspin and control. Holding your follow-through also prevents you from pulling your arm down too early, which can compromise accuracy. Treat it as a habit you never skip.

8. Land Where You Jumped

A controlled landing is a testament to good balance. When you shoot, your feet should hit the ground in the same spot you jumped from.

If you drift sideways or forward, your form is off, and your shot becomes harder to repeat. By practicing clean landings, you teach your body to stay centered.

This habit keeps your shot straight and prevents unnecessary leaning, making it easier to stay accurate under game pressure.

9. Practice with Purpose (Drills)

Random shots won’t build accuracy. Purposeful practice makes the difference. Try:

• Spot shooting (5–10 makes per location).
• Free throw routine.
• Catch-and-shoot from passes.
• Game-speed drills.
• The key is practicing like you play. If you only shoot slowly in practice, you’ll struggle in real games. Purposeful drills push you to repeat good habits until they become second nature.

10. Correct Mistakes Quickly

Bad habits grow quickly if you don’t fix them. Pay attention to small details and make adjustments promptly.

Look for common errors like:

• Elbow drifting outward
• Poor balance when landing
• Dropping your follow-through too soon

Use video or feedback from teammates to spot these issues. By correcting mistakes early, you maintain your form and avoid letting small errors escalate into significant problems later.

Common Shooting Mistakes to Avoid

Even with good form, players often fall into habits that hurt accuracy. Knowing what not to do is just as important as learning the right moves.

• Rushing the Shot: Taking shots too quickly throws off balance and rhythm.
• Fading Unnecessarily: Leaning back when it’s not needed reduces control.
• Over-Gripping the Ball: A tight grip kills the natural backspin.
• Ignoring Balance: Poor footwork leads to inconsistent results.

Avoiding these mistakes keeps your shot smooth, repeatable, and reliable under pressure.

At the End

Improving your basketball shooting accuracy takes patience, focus, and steady practice. It’s not about making every shot perfect right away; it’s about building good habits and repeating them until they feel natural.

Start small by working on your stance, grip, and follow-through, then add drills that challenge you at game speed.

Don’t forget to correct mistakes early, so they don’t become bad habits. With time, your shot will become smoother, more confident, and more reliable.

Remember, the best shooters aren’t born overnight; they’re made through daily effort and consistency.

Now it’s your turn, grab a ball, hit the court, and start putting these tips into action today!