Basketball - Shooting and the BEEF Principle
Created | Updated Oct 29, 2002
BEEF is an acronym designed to help any aspiring basketball player learn the skills necessicary to shoot correctly. By working on the points of BEEF you put yourself in a better position to be selected for a competitive team1.
"B" - Balance
Keep your feet shoulder width apart with your shooting foot2 slightly ahead of your non-shooting foot. Make sure you're entire body is square to the basket.
First "E" - Eyes
Choose a target (it could be the front of the rim, the center of the hoop, or the basket as a whole) and focus it only. Don't watch the flight of the basketball or your hand as you release.
Second "E" - Elbow
Cock back your elbow to a ninety degree angle and look at the back of your wrist. If you can see wrinkles, then you have your arm in the correct posistion. Rest the ball on the pads of your fingers with the center of the ball on your index finger3. Now place your guide hand side of the ball. Make sure it doesn't slip underneath. You will not be using it to help shoot the ball. It is there to make sure that the ball doesn't fall off of your hand before you shoot it, nothing more.
"F" - Flick of Follow-Through
Straighten your elbow and release the ball by flicking your wrist, which gives the ball backspin4. You should look look like you're reaching into a cookie jar that is on a shelf above your head.
Make sure your guide hand stays straight and doesn't help to push the ball.
To add distance to your shot, simply add a jump. Do not try to push the ball harder with your arms. All of your power should come from your legs.
How to Practice
All of these skills are useless if you don't practice them, but only a certain kind of practice will actually help you become a better shooter in game-situations.
Warm up by shooting close shots before moving out and launching up the three-pointers.
Whenever you go out to shoot, go game speed. Run after your rebounds. Shoot quickly as if the defense is closing on you.
If you are playing around, feel free to shoot trick shots, behind the back shots, half-court shots, etc. If you are working on your game, only take shots that you would take during a game.
Most importantly, work with intensity and heart! You are now on your way to having a great shot!
