How to Lower Your Shooting Arc in Basketball

Becoming a great shooter takes time and effort. As a basketball player, you already know that practice and repetition are key. By consistently and intentionally practicing your shooting, you'll develop the muscle memory necessary to shoot accurately and confidently. Remember, repetition of good form is essential to developing a consistent shot.
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​If you're looking to improve your shooting arc, you're in the right place. Keep reading this article for 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.

One of the most common problems that players face is shooting the ball with too high of an arc. A shot that is too high will often lack enough depth, resulting in the ball hitting the front of the rim and missing short.

With this in mind, this article offers three tips to help you lower your shooting arc and become a more accurate shooter:

1. Adjust your shooting elbow.
One of the main reasons that players shoot the ball with too high of an arc is because their shooting elbow finishes too high. To fix this, make sure that your shooting elbow finishes in front of your forehead, about two fists' length away. This will help to lower the angle of your shot and improve your accuracy.

2. Keep your eyes on the back of the rim.
Another common mistake that players make when shooting is not aiming for the back of the rim. To make sure you're aiming correctly, keep consistent eye contact with the center of the back of the rim throughout your shot. If you follow the ball with your eyes after it leaves your hand, it will cause you to release the ball with a higher arc.

3. Shoot the ball from above your chin.
The set-point is where you begin to extend your arms toward the basket as you release the ball. If your set-point is chin-level or below, it will cause you to launch the ball too high. To fix this, shoot the ball from above your chin, closer to your nose and eyebrow level. This will help you to release the ball with a lower angle and improve your accuracy.

​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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