Where to release a basketball? above the head or the chin?

Question

im 14 years old

Answer 1

It depends.... If your like Ray Allen.... Then you're much comfortable shooting above the head... But that's pretty hard so maybe just stick with above the chin... Most NBA players do that....

Answer 2

You should be releasing the basketball above the head or around your eyes at the lowest. If you're letting go of the ball at the chin, then you are effectively using a push pass as your jump shot.

This will result in longer rebounds when you miss, meaning the other team can start their fast breaks quicker.

Also you will get less "shooters touch" as the lower arc from shooting from the chin means there's less target. The higher arc from shooting higher will give you a softer shot.

The reason people shoot from the chin is to give them a bit more power as it's easier to push the ball forward than to lift it above the head.

Look at any good shooter in the NBA today, they all release the ball high.

While it is harder to master, it will pay off for you later to shoot the ball this way.

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

what ever is better for u as long as it goes in ur good dont stop ur rountine or shot

Answer 4

neither.

you release the ball when its at its highest point. when youre jumping and youre at the top of your jump you exstendyour arm all the way and then shoot it. :)

Answer 5

to answer your question you should be looking under the ball if your stronger and over the ball if your weaker

you cant just practice to become a better shooter

if your doing something wrong

your shooting will only become worse as the motion becomes muscle memory

the important thing is to be shooting right- here are some guidelines

there is no such thing as an ideal jumpshot as long as you follow these guides - your shot will be simple repeatable accurate and deadly

you will grow as a shooter and understand why you miss shots and more importantly what you must do to make them

make sure is the exact same release everytime releasing the ball faster or slower will only make your shot worse as you will have problems with your consistency

again i repeat DO NOT CHANGE THE FORCE OR SPEED OF YOU SHOT!!!! why should you have to practice two or more different releases? when it can all be the same with just added amounts of leg power? -theres how to get more range-

instead shoot early in the "up" of the down up motion you make when you jump this is really the key

the earlier you shoot in the up part the more power your shot will have

don't just "use your legs"

make sure you are getting all the power and stability you can get out of them because they are stronger than your arms

a shot needs to be simple and is repeatable

a release that can be used for all types of shots, free throws shots off the dribble set shots runners fade aways shots under pressure and log range shots

when you shoot, push your arm out extending it as far as it can go with your elbow locking --- this is another way to ensure consistency

if you don't push your arm as far as it will go and your arm stops short, you will have to repeat that same partial extension - thus adding variables (or things that could go wrong) and jeopardizing consistency

DO NOT SNAP YOUR WRIST!!!!! or flick it or whatever

it is hard to maintain the exact speed ind force of the snap every time. - this ensures the ball will go straight

the ball will go were yo point your arm every time

the thing you see most nba players doing is their hand flops- they aren't flicking it- theres a difference

your fingers and hand should be relaxed when you shoot

therefore your wrist will flop forward and bounce a couple of times if the locking of the elbow, the pushing of the arm to full extension

don't tense up any part of your hand because you will add extra spin and add variables to your shot

if you tense up any part of your hand or fingers when you shoot.. this action must be repeated exactly every time you shoot if you want to be consistent .. which is nearly impossible

so make sure your hand is not tense almost dead

if your doing this right the ball will go where your arm is pointing since the hand and fingers arent altering the shot

also what helps your accuracy is turning your body a little

in the video below tom is talking about this great shooter and he says in his opinion he would like his stance to be open a little more

thats what im talking about an open stance as little to 15 and as much as 40 anything else is excessive

by opening your stance you'll be able to see were the ball will go because your eyes will be aligned behind the shooting arm- (because the ball will travel where ever your arm is pointing)

shooting elbow placement-

some people like to tell you to keep your elbow in close to your body

but this creates an unnatural tension along the outer arm and wrist

instead keep your elbow out naturally - there is no true measurement on how far out it will go - it depends on how long your arms are

don't change the release due to varying distances from the basket change the amount of power your legs produce

ive said this before but i really can't stress enough how important this is... the earlier you shoot it the more power your shot will have especially for threes!!!!

you should practice you release about 5 to 8 feet from the basket whenever you can.. with no lower body power(or just a little if its not comfortable but make sure its the same amount every time) eventually if your swishing it alot close your eyes and you'll feel a closer connection to the basket and your shot

you should be at a distance where you can shoot it every time and its a perfect swish

don't be afraid to shoot high you should air for medium high arch- 45/50 to as much as 60 degrees

i guess its kind hard to know the degrees your shooting at

but just make sure your shot isn't flat and don't be afraid to shoot it up

if you ever feel you shots will be to strong just shoot it higher or release it later in the up motion of the jump (hang time)

this clip can really demonstrate some of the concepts i have stated

The Swish Method

swish22.com

i really hope you look into the swish method because it really does work and i think is the #1 shooting method ever

after watching them i have a new understanding of shooting

and if you want confidence

this method will give you confidence

what's better than knowing you will make the shot

Answer 6

above the head.Never shoot at eye level or lower(i know its hard to change from bad shooting to proper shooting put its important).If you shoot from the chin your going to be blocked 8/10 times.

Answer 7

which ever works for u, but 4 me i use the chin

Answer 8

It really is on preference and comfortability. I mean I do above the head.. to get more ace and to prevent an easy block... a few inches does make a big difference from getting your shot blocked... The chin will give you a quick shot because you can release it earlier... but I would say above the head would be more beneficial to your game

Answer 9

Well, they say you should take the shot above the head, but it's a mater of personal preference, just take the basketball and shot, release when you feel comfortable, you'll get used to your shot soon, just look at fisher, lol.

Answer 10

Hey,

Shooting from the chin is mistake number one in shooting. When you shoot from the chin, your elbows stick out the side, making you push the ball instead of shooting the ball. Another problem with shooting from the chin is that you can get stuffed so much more easily.

When you shoot the basketball, the best way to get an accurate, powerful shot is to shoot at your forehead.

Answer 11

Wassup KB!

Well, It depends on you -- really. Releasing from the chin is a bit awkward.. ..right? I suggest (and that's my release as well) to release the ball above your head. Because i assume if you release from the chin, you are most likely relying on your arms. Whereas if you release above the head, you might as well use your legs which is good.

-- Nix ♦

Answer 12

when i was younger i used to release it just above my chin...i release above my head now. i think as you get older your shot just developes... thats what mine did.

Answer 13

It depends on you

I release from the chin because it feels more comfortable, more accuracy, and more power then releasing it above the head

But one thing is that by releasing it above your head then your shot wont be blocked as easily as releasing it from the chin

Answer 14

To all the people who answered "it depends on you", you are wrong. There may be no "right way" to shoot, but there is a much more accurate way and then theres everything else.  I coach and teach basketball.  

The best way to drastically improve your shot is the following:

1) Practise one-handed shooting:  Hold the ball in your shooting hand with your palm facing up; Twist your arm and bring the ball up to eye level, as if you are a waiter holding a tray; bend your knees and shoot without jumping.  Do this from short range.

2) Two handed shooting has 3 steps:  

     1.  Hold the ball at your waist: your shooting hand is on top of the ball and your guide hand is on the side.

     2.  Simply bring the ball up so that your thumb is next to (and slightly in front of) your eyebrow and make sure your elbow is pointing towards the basket (Bringing your elbow to face the basket is hard and uncomfortable until you get used to it, but it WILL help alot.)

     3.  Bend your knees (make sure you never bend your elbow past 90 degrees (forearm perpendicular to upper arm)) and jump to shoot.

I can guarantee that if you stick with this, your shooting percentage will improve, and you'll find foul shots incredibly easy.

Good luck

Answer 15

hey im 13 and i took bball camps it is best to release above ur head if u have the right form. (feet facing basket, elbow in, oposite hand on side of ball, and flick the wrist)

Answer 16

what has your age to do with it????????

Answer 17

First of all you need to consider what kind of shot is most effective towards you and second i believe that shooting above your head is much better because when u are competing against a 7 footer you will get rejected if you shoot from your chin.

Answer 18

It is ideal to shoot over your head, but only if you are strong enough. If you're not strong enough you won't feel comfortable.

Answer 19

Well that depends on your height. A lot of short shooters lack the muscle to be able to release above head, so they kinda just push the ball from chin level. Thats bad form, but its the best they can do. If you like 5"4 or above, and have decent muscles in your arms, i would tell you to release above head. This really gives the ball arc,and makes it harder to block.

Answer 20

above the head

Answer 21

Always aim to release above the head because you get a more desirable and smoother arc. When releasing from the chin, it's easier to block and the arc is too sharp. A shot released above the head is harder to block, and the arc gives you a better chances for a good bounce on the rim or backboard in case you miss.

You're fourteen so you should try to shoot above your head. If you're not strong enough (there's no shame in that, because many players aren't), try shooting from your nose or forehead. Try to release from the highest point on your face which you can comfortably shoot with.

Answer 22

It depends on what's most comfortable for you. I prefer shoot where the back of my hand is in front of my face. and my arms are stretched out.