Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world, and it's no wonder why: It requires quick thinking, strategic planning, teamwork, and strength to win. But if you're looking for ways to improve your game even more—and who isn't?—we've got some exercises that will help increase your jump shot accuracy.
Of course, these are just recommendations. If you don't have access to a gym or basketball court (or just want an excuse not to go outside), feel free to use these exercises with other equipment!
Start on the floor.
● Start on the floor.
● A proper warm-up is vital to any workout, especially one involving jumping and sprinting. Your muscles need to be properly warmed up before you start shooting hoops. Otherwise, you may risk injury.
● Foam rollers are a great tool for stretching out those tight muscles in your legs so they're ready for action (and not cramping up). You can also try other self-myofascial release techniques like massage balls or even rolling around on a tennis ball if foam rolling isn't your thing! This step should take about 10 minutes if you want to do everything correctly. Don't worry about rushing through it; this part is more important than anything else!
Drive the ball up and back down.
You need to drive the ball up and back down to get a better jump shot. To do this, first start with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent. Then use your core muscles to lift the ball above your head while keeping both elbows in and hands together (like they're holding an imaginary basketball). Don't use any leg motion at all--rely on arm strength!
It's important not to let the ball touch any part of your body as it travels up and down because that will cause unnecessary friction between two surfaces that should glide smoothly against each other without obstructions. If anything gets in between them, like sweat or dirt from playing outside all day or even just having sweaty palms due to nervousness about performing well during practice sessions later on down the road when trying new techniques such as these here today.
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and knees bent at a 90-degree angle, with the ball held at waist level in both hands.
● Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and knees bent at a 90-degree angle, with the ball held at waist level in both hands.
● Keep your back straight and your shoulders relaxed, with your head up and looking straight ahead.
Twist your hips to drive the ball up and down, like swinging a baseball bat or golf club.
To get your jump shot off the ground, twist your hips to drive the ball up and back down, like you're swinging a baseball bat or golf club. The movement should be fluid and smooth as you rotate through it--don't jerk or snap! Keep your arms relaxed and loose throughout this process: keep them at your sides, with elbows bent at 90 degrees (or slightly higher). Focus on keeping your shoulders square as they rotate around their sockets--this is important because it will help prevent injury later on in life when playing more physically demanding sports such as football or rugby.
Do two sets of 10 repetitions on each side of your body.
To improve your jump shot, you should also work on strengthening your shoulders and chest muscles.
To do this, get on the ground and place a weight plate or dumbbell on either side of you.
Then lie down with one arm straight out in front of you and lift it so there is no bend at the elbow.
Do two sets of 10 repetitions on each side of your body before moving on to another exercise!
Work on your lower body strength.
You'll need to strengthen your lower body to improve your jump shot. A good exercise for this is the squat.
To perform a squat, stand with feet shoulder-width apart, and toes pointed slightly outwards. Bend the knees until they're just about parallel with the floor (or as far as they can go), then return to standing position and repeat for 10 repetitions per set. Do two sets of 10 reps at least three times per week to see results!
Use your legs to help push off from the ground and get extra height on your shot. The motion is similar to that of a baseball player taking a swing: rotate your hips forward and back as you drive up into the ball, then let go when it reaches its peak. Once you've gotten comfortable with this technique, try some different variations--like jumping off one foot instead of two or adding spin by rolling the ball across your fingertips before shooting it into the air!
Raise one leg off the ground and bend it at a 90-degree angle to rest on a bench or chair in front of you.
Stand in front of a bench or chair with one foot raised off the ground at a 90-degree angle. Bend both knees so that your hips and knees are bent at 90 degrees, then raise your other leg until it is parallel to the floor. Hold for 30 seconds, then lower back down and repeat on both sides.
If you don't have access to either of these options, use an elastic resistance band wrapped around both ankles (or just one if you're feeling extra limber) and follow these instructions:
● Stand tall with feet hip-width apart, holding onto something sturdy for balance if necessary
● Raise one leg behind you until it's parallel to the floor--don't lock out! That'll put too much strain on your joints; keep them bent slightly at about 45 degrees throughout this exercise
● Place an elastic resistance band around your waist, loop it under your foot, then place both hands on top of an exercise ball in front of you (about shoulder width apart).
● Stand on one leg with the other foot resting on top of the exercise ball. Hold for a few seconds before switching sides and repeating.
The squat is a great exercise for improving your jump shot because it helps strengthen your legs and lower body muscles. This will give you more power to get off the ground when taking a shot, which can result in higher scores!
● Keep your back straight and slowly raise yourself off the floor until all weight rests on your arms (don't let your hip flexors touch).
● Hold that position for 30 seconds before dropping back down to start again with one rep per set until you reach 20 total reps per set.
The best way to do this is by adding a weight belt or holding a dumbbell while performing the exercise.
Conclusion
With these simple exercises, you can improve your jump shot and take your game to the next level. You'll be draining three-pointers in no time!
