A basketball, soccer ball, or similar spherical object

A hoop, ring or peach basket (approximately 18 inches, or 45 centimeters, in diameter)

Optional:

A half-sized ball and basket for small children

Give yourself at least 1 hour of continuous practice to get the hang of it, then spend at least five minutes practicing it every time you're shooting hoops.

2torial #0596: Learn2 Shoot a Basketball Free throw Nothing but net! Like the drum solo at a rock concert, the free throw is the star turn of basketball: it's just you in the spotlight, and nothing but skill between you and success. The best shooters spend hours a week just at the free throw line, maintaining their overall rhythm while working on sneaking in those extra points come gametime. The early basketball shots were two-handed, but the evolution of basketball has developed what is essentially a one-handed shot, with the other hand used mainly as a place holder. The objective is to find your most comfortable way of holding and shooting the ball by following some guidelines. Take it slow, avoid the temptation to move back and fling the ball up. It's even a good idea to start halfway to the free throw line (about 10 feet out) to get the feeling down first, then step back. A free throw doesn't require that you jump. Hold the ball in your fingers, not your palm, and take a few dribbles to get the rhythm of the ball. So that the directions are clear to both left- and right-handed learners, this 2torial uses the terms dominant and nondominant. The dominant side is the hand and arm that you use for writing, throwing--e.g., if you're a left-handed, your left arm is your dominant arm. The nondominant is the other side. Step 1