How to Raise your shooting arc in basketball

To become a proficient shooter, basketball players must devote time to practice and repetition. Practicing consistently and intentionally will allow players to develop the muscle memory necessary to shoot accurately and with confidence. Repetition of good form is key to developing a consistent shot.

​If you're looking to improve your shooting arc, continue reading this article to learn more tips and techniques.

Thanks to the science of shooting metrics established by NOAH basketball (and used in Shoot 360), which were developed by scientists from NASA & machine vision experts from Carnegie Mellon, in addition to over 500 million shots tracked in its facilities, we can say with confidence that a shot with the dimensions below will produce a shooting percentage of 99.86%.

The “Perfect Shot” is:

• 45° high (arc)*
• 11” past the front of the rim (depth)
• 0” to the left or right of the center of the rim
• *It is important to note that, In this article, we will refer to shooting arc as the angle at which the ball falls into the rim.

A common problems that baskletball players face is shooting the ball with too low of an arc. With this in mind, this article offers three tips to help you raise your shooting arc and become a more accurate shooter:

1. Adjust your shooting elbow
If your shooting elbow finishes too high, it will cause the ball to be shot with too high of an arc. To fix this, make sure your shooting elbow finishes in front of your forehead, about two fists' length away. This will raise the angle of your shot and improve your accuracy.

2. Shoot in one motion
When shooting, make sure the ball moves at a smooth, consistent speed until after it leaves your hands. Move your legs and arms together, and don't hesitate or hitch your shot. This will ensure that the ball is released with a consistent arc and improve your accuracy.

3. Release at the top of your motion
Make sure you release the ball at, or just before, the apex of your jump. If your shooting motion has any hitches or hesitations, it will cause the ball to be released with a higher arc.

If you're looking for a way to improve your shooting arc to the optimal angle and become a more accurate shooter, check out the Shoot 360 and Ultimate Player Development programs at the Ultimate Fieldhouse in Walnut Creek. These programs offer top-notch training and experienced coaches who will help you take your game to the next level!

​Click here to learn more about Shoot 360 training and click here to learn more about the Ultimate Player Development training classes.

- Steven Oronos
General Manager | Shoot 360 and Ultimate Fieldhouse
Basketball Trainer | Ultimate Player Development

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