How to Shoot the Basketball for Beginners: The 4 L's of Shooting

Transform your players' shooting mechanics with a groundbreaking approach that challenges traditional teaching methods. Gone are the days of "10 toes to the rim" and rigid form-first instruction. Here's how to develop confident shooters who can actually generate the power they need to succeed.

Setting Up for Success: The Three Must-Haves

Before diving into shooting mechanics, you need to create the right environment for success. Transform your practice setup with these game-changing elements:

1. Use a properly sized ball (size 5 for youth players)

2. Lower the rim to 8 feet for beginners

3. Create an age-appropriate 3-point line that matches their strength and height

The 4 L's: Your Blueprint for Better Shooters

L1: Load

The foundation of every great shot starts with loading—just like a bow and arrow. Your players must learn to load down and in, not up and out. Here's the key: the ball and hips should descend together, with the ball positioned near the belly button in the loaded position.

L2: Laces

Proper hand placement revolutionizes shooting accuracy. Have your players place their shooting hand down the laces and their guide hand across them. This creates the foundation for consistent ball rotation and accurate shot direction.

L3: Lift

The lift phase is where most traditional teaching gets it wrong. The non-shooting hand becomes the "lift hand," helping to quickly elevate the ball. Critical point: The shooting hand doesn't need to be behind the ball—it needs to get under it as the lift occurs.

L4: Line

Forget about toe alignment. Focus on shoulder alignment and creating a straight line from shoulder to target. Give your players freedom to move naturally while maintaining this critical shooting line.

The Ultimate Shooting Drill: Rockers

Transform your practice sessions with this power-generating drill that links ankle movement to fingertip control. Key components include:

- Maintain a quiet eye on a small target

- Create efficient energy transfer from feet to fingertips

- Use heel-to-toe rocking motion

- Keep shoulders relaxed

- Focus on late wrist extension

- Freeze the follow-through

The Game-Changing Coaching Approach

Stop overwhelming your players with constant feedback. Instead:

1. Focus on one element at a time

2. Allow multiple shots without interruption

3. Let players discover their natural shooting rhythm

4. Give clear, single-focus instructions for sets of 10 shots

Remember: Intent equals intensity. Your players need clear direction and the freedom to develop their shot through focused repetition.

Transform Your Teaching Today

Start implementing the 4 L's in your next practice. Focus on power generation first—form will follow. When players make shots, they have fun. When they have fun, they practice more. It's that simple.

The path to better shooting isn't through perfect form—it's through proper progression and power development. Give your players the foundation they need to succeed, and watch their confidence soar.

Build better shooters. Win more games. Transform your program with the 4 L's.

If you’re ready to join hundreds of other coaches revolutionizing their programs, join the SAVI Coaching community on Skool today.