How to Shoot a Jump Shot
Derek Bocanegra English 100, TR
October 6, 2010 Essay 2
How to Shoot a Jump Shot
Although some people are born naturally athletic, most people are taught the fundamentals of basketball at a young age and continue to practice these fundamentals as they get older. One of the basic assets to becoming a successful, well rounded basketball player is being able to shoot a jump shot. A jump shot is a shot in which a player jumps into the air and shoots the ball at the basket with one or both hands (Dictionary.com). Ken Sailors, 1943 National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) most valuable player, is credited as the inventor of the jump shot, offering his first attempt in 1934 (Freeman). Before Sailors, players would shoot the ball two-handed, as a flat footed set shot. The introduction of the jump shot changed the game of basketball from an offensive stand point by giving offensive players another way to score against their opponents. The jump shot became popular during the late 1960’s, at the time where the three-point line was introduced in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Learning how to shoot a jump shot is one of the most challenging tasks to master in basketball because it takes great repetition and concentration. Many basketball players have to practice their fundamentals for hours every day to become a consistent shooter. Ultimately, practicing these fundamentals every day will help you to develop a consistent form by building muscle memory and improve your jump shot. There are a couple of things you will first need in order to learn how to shoot a jump shot. You are going to need a basketball and a basketball hoop. You should be practicing on a regulated basketball court with a ten foot rim, a free throw line, and a three point line so you can practice shooting from different locations on the court. You are going to need a t-shirt, basketball shorts, and basketball sneakers. You can wear sweatpants, or sweatshirts if you
October 6, 2010 Essay 2
How to Shoot a Jump Shot
Although some people are born naturally athletic, most people are taught the fundamentals of basketball at a young age and continue to practice these fundamentals as they get older. One of the basic assets to becoming a successful, well rounded basketball player is being able to shoot a jump shot. A jump shot is a shot in which a player jumps into the air and shoots the ball at the basket with one or both hands (Dictionary.com). Ken Sailors, 1943 National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) most valuable player, is credited as the inventor of the jump shot, offering his first attempt in 1934 (Freeman). Before Sailors, players would shoot the ball two-handed, as a flat footed set shot. The introduction of the jump shot changed the game of basketball from an offensive stand point by giving offensive players another way to score against their opponents. The jump shot became popular during the late 1960’s, at the time where the three-point line was introduced in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Learning how to shoot a jump shot is one of the most challenging tasks to master in basketball because it takes great repetition and concentration. Many basketball players have to practice their fundamentals for hours every day to become a consistent shooter. Ultimately, practicing these fundamentals every day will help you to develop a consistent form by building muscle memory and improve your jump shot. There are a couple of things you will first need in order to learn how to shoot a jump shot. You are going to need a basketball and a basketball hoop. You should be practicing on a regulated basketball court with a ten foot rim, a free throw line, and a three point line so you can practice shooting from different locations on the court. You are going to need a t-shirt, basketball shorts, and basketball sneakers. You can wear sweatpants, or sweatshirts if you
Cited: “Defense.” Dictionary.com.2010.Web. 6 October 2010. “Foul.” Dictionary.com.2010.Web.6 October 2010. Freedman, Lew. “Kenny Sailors: The Inventor of the Modern Day Jump Shot.” Sailorsjumpshot.com. Web. 6 October 2010. Jordan, Michael. “Michael Jordan Shooting Better.” 21 October 2007. Web. 6 October 2010 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccPLicJek3s “Jump Shot.” Dictionary.com.2010. Web. 6 October 2010.