Overview
One of the most rewarding things you can do with your children is to teach them a sport. Basketball can be played in the driveway or the backyard, making it convenient for parents. Early on, children should learn proper basketball fundamentals so they can develop correct form early on--and not have to "unlearn" later. Teaching children to shoot the basketball, while potentially requiring patience, should be a fun experience.
Step 1
Demonstrate for the child the proper way to hold a basketball in anticipation of a shot. This depends on the age and strength of the child. Older children should be able to hold the ball properly, with the right hand (or left hand, if the child is left-handed) underneath the ball, palm directly up and ball resting on the fingertips (not touching the palm), and with the left hand on the side of the ball as a support. If the child is younger or not yet strong enough to hold the ball properly, both hands should share the ball's weight equally, hands turned in slightly towards the child's body, with the ball, again, resting in the child's fingertips. Either way, the ball should be held up in front of the shooter, with elbows out slightly and the top of the ball almost level with the top of the head.
Step 2
Demonstrate for the child proper stance and posture. Feet should be shoulder-length apart, with legs slightly bent. The back should be straight.
Step 3
Demonstrate for the child the correct way to use the legs to propel the ball. This is done by bending your legs, then straightening in a "jump," thereby adding force to the shot. Stronger or older children may not require an actual jump, but more of a bounce. Younger children who are not yet strong enough may require an actual jump with each shot. Proper posture--with back straight, should be retained throughout this step.
Step 4
Demonstrate for the child proper release form. This is done by propelling the ball with the right hand (or left, if the child is left-handed), with contact between fingertips and ball only (not palm). The right arm should mostly unbend and be left "pointing" at the basket. As the ball is released from the fingertips, the ball's spin (backwards, towards the shooter) should indicate whether it came off of the hand properly. Shoot with an arc, so that the ball falls down into the rim from high above. It may be useful here to practice flicking the wrist in this way without the ball for a while until proper form has been attained. If the child is younger or not yet strong enough to shoot this way, consider practicing on a shorter hoop.
Step 5
Encourage the child to practice. The only way to learn how to shoot a basketball, once you understand proper form, is to practice, practice, practice. Act as the child's rebounder and allow the child to shoot repeatedly. Encouragement is important at this stage, as it builds confidence--a key element to success in basketball
