Learning the proper technique to shoot a basketball
is a simple process, but takes quite a bit of practice to master. The simplest
way to teach someone how to properly shoot a basketball, and the way that I was
first taught is to remember B.E.E.F. If you can remember the four simple words
that go along with the acronym B.E.E.F. you can become a master at shooting a
basketball just like the professionals on television. The four words which
coincide with the acronym B.E.E.F are Balance, Eyes, Elbow, and Follow-Through.
Let’s take this step by step. Balance is the first
word and probably the most important part of shooting a basketball. Having good
balance while shooting a basketball is critical because if you are off balance
too much to the left or to the right then your shot will not go directly towards
your target. The second step of B.E.E.F. is your eyes; having a good aiming
point on the basket is very important. Personally, I aim for the back part of
the rim or more commonly known as the “back iron”. Being concentrated and
having good eye contact on your target is critical in the process of becoming a
good shooter. The next part of the basketball shooting process B.E.E.F. is your
elbow. In this step of the process the third step will get some help from the second
step. In order to make the basketball go into a cylindrical hoop, which is ten
feet off of the ground, you have to have the right arc and trajectory. Having
your elbow above your eyes when you finish your process is a good finishing
point for your shooting arm, and will help you put the ball in the right
trajectory. The final step of the shooting process known as B.E.E.F. is
follow-through. After you have balance, you have your eyes on the target, and
you have finished with your elbow above your eyes, the follow through of your shooting
hand helps with the proper rotation of the ball. The follow-through will help
make the rotation of the basketball, and this is helpful because if your shot
is long or short the rotation could help the ball bounce into the hoop.
