The MISS LIST - There’s A Reason For Every Miss
by Jay Wolf - Basketball Shooting Specialist

The shooter is TOTALLY responsible for the success of the shot. When a shot is missed, the shooter should ask, WHY? What follows are codes and key words that stand for the MAIN causes for inaccuracy.

LEFT / RIGHT MISSES -

First Options to Check:

1. OH – ( as in, “Oh, I missed.” ) Stands for the Off Hand

Problem: The off-hand thumb may have helped push the ball, or, the fingers may not have completely straightened causing them to drag across the ball as it was released.

2. VA - Stands for Vertical Alignment

Problem: During the shooting motion, all or some of the arm parts may not have stayed in vertical alignment. Typical problems are:

• The elbow may have moved out instead of remaining directly under the ball.
• The forearm may have angled in across the body.
• The outside fingers may have been used more than the two shooting fingers.
• The shooting hand may have turned IN or OUT.

Coaching Point: Here’s an easy way to remember proper body alignment for the shot... "Finger, Elbow, Knee, and Toe - Helps the ball drop in the hole."
( Finger refers to the Index Finger )

Secondary Options to Check:

1. Balance -

Problem: While in the READY position, weight may not have been equal on both feet. Equal weight helps the body uncoil straight upward.

NOTE: To achieve balance faster when shooting on the move, STAY LOW - flex at the knees and hips as if in a defensive stance.

2. Moving Sideways -

Problem: If the feet did not plant or stop well, the body may have been moving sideways when the ball was released.

NOTE: When planting, STAY LOW to gain body control quickly and then go STRAIGHT UP!

3. Dropping the Off Hand -

Problem: The off hand did not stay on the ball long enough or may have been pulled backward just before the ball was released.

LONG / SHORT MISSES

First Options to Check:

1. EE – Stands for Elbows above the Eyes

Problem: The ball may have been pushed AT the basket instead of high above it. This reduces arc and causes the ball to strike the front or back of the rim.

NOTE: Releasing the ball when both elbows are above the eyes improves arc and distance.

2. Defense - Stands for flexing at the Knees and Hips as if in a defensive stance

Problem: If the ball is short, the body may not have been flexed at the knees and hips at the start of the shot and could not produce enough power.

NOTE: When tired, most players don’t get prepared for the shot and forget to bend at the hips.

3. Adjust the Starting Point

Problem: The ball may not have started at the proper height in the shooting pocket.

NOTE: The lower the ball starts in the shooting pocket, the more power is achieved.

Jay wolf is a basketball shooting specialist, camp clinician, author, and owner of the Star Shooter Company - producer of the Star Shooter Program: Basketball's #1 selling program that helps athletes of all ages improve their shooting skills.