The first step in developing good shooting technique is to stand close to the basket about one metre from the backboard just slightly to one side of the ring. Set the ball in front of the face about level with the chin. For this basic shot, the ball should rest in your right hand if you are a right-hand shooter and left hand if you are a left-handed shooter.
The other and is used merely to balance the ball and is placed at the side of the ball. The wrist of the shooting hand is flexed so the back of the hand is at a right angle to the forearm which should be in a vertical position, thus leaving the ball directly above the elbow. The knees should be slightly flexed with the right foot slightly in front of the other. The slight turn of the body will allow you to move the forearm, elbow and wrist in the same vertical plane and will help you keep your elbow close to your body.
Once you are in the set position the only movement prior to commencing the shot will be the knees bending slightly to establish a rhythm for the shot. The ball remains still and as the knees are straightened the elbow is raised with the wrist remaining flexed until the arm is fully extended toward the ring. At the top of the extension of the arm, the wrist is snapped as the hand moves from its right angle position to the forearm to pointing downwards looking like what we call a “goose’s neck”. The ball should bounce softly off the backboard and fall to the bottom of the net. The “target” for the shooter in this position would normally be just inside the top right-hand corner of the rectangle painted above the ring.