Master Deep Squat Form Shooting: Build Your Mechanics
Deep Squat Form Shooting is a foundational mechanical drill designed to synchronize your lower body power with your upper body release. By positioning yourself just 5-6 feet from the basket and exaggerating your leg bend, this drill isolates the kinetic chain necessary for a smooth, one-motion shot. It is an essential routine for players of all levels—from youth developing their first jumper to pros refining their touch—to eliminate hitches and build a shot that holds up under pressure.
How to Perform This Drill
- Setup: Stand directly in front of the rim, approximately 5 feet away. Position your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart to establish a strong, balanced base.
- Load the Hips: Drop into an exaggerated deep squat, bringing your hips down until your thighs are parallel to the floor (or lower). Keep your chest up and eyes locked on the rim.
- Set Your Hands: While in the squat, position the ball in your shooting pocket. Ensure your shooting hand is centered under the ball and your guide hand is lightly placed on the side for stability.
- Explode Upward: In one fluid motion, drive through your heels to stand up while simultaneously lifting the ball toward your release point. Do not pause the ball at your forehead.
- Release and Follow Through: As your legs fully extend, snap your wrist and release the ball at the apex of your reach.
- Hold the Form: Keep your shooting arm extended and your wrist flexed (the "goose neck") until the ball hits the floor. Check your landing to ensure you haven't drifted sideways.
Why This Drill Works
Many players struggle with shooting range and consistency because they have a "broken" kinetic chain—they elevate with their legs, pause, and then push with their arms. Deep Squat Form Shooting forces you to utilize upward momentum generated from the ground, transferring that energy directly into the ball. By exaggerating the low starting point, your body naturally learns to smooth out the transition from the "dip" to the release, resulting in a softer shot with better arc and significantly less reliance on arm strength.
Pro Tips
- Fluidity First: The goal is a seamless transfer of energy. If you feel a hitch or a pause as you rise, slow down and focus on moving the ball and your body at the exact same time.
- Vertical Power: Focus on jumping straight up, not forward. If you land significantly in front of where you started, you are flinging the ball rather than shooting it.
- Guide Hand Discipline: Your non-shooting hand is there for balance only. Ensure your thumb isn't flicking the ball, which creates unwanted side-spin.
- Target the Swish: Since you are close to the basket, don't settle for rim-grazers. Challenge yourself to make "swish" shots that don't touch the rim to refine your accuracy.