The one-hand shooting drill removes your guide hand, so your shooting hand has to do the job right. It is the simplest way to clean up a messy release.
What it fixes
- A guide hand that pushes the ball off line
- A sideways thumb that adds side spin
- A stiff wrist with no backspin
How to do it
- Stand 3 feet from the rim, feet square, knees bent
- Hold the ball in your shooting hand only, the other hand behind your back or at your side
- Elbow under the ball, pointing at the rim
- Extend, snap your wrist and hold your finish
- Make 10 in a row before you move back
Progression
| Step | Distance | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 feet | 10 makes in a row |
| 2 | 5 feet | 8 of 10 |
| 3 | 8 feet | 6 of 10 |
If you cannot reach the rim with one hand, move closer. Do not let the elbow flare to get more power.
Common mistakes
- Using the other hand a little: keep it completely off the ball
- Throwing from the side: the ball should start above your head
- Flat arc: use your legs, not extra arm
Check how it looks
Film a normal shot after the drill. HoopArea scores your form out of 10 and shows elbow extension, wrist snap and arm alignment, so you can see if the drill is making your release cleaner.
See your own shot scored. Film one jump shot and HoopArea maps your joints and scores your form out of 10, with the exact fixes. Download HoopArea free on the App Store