I need help from the basketball minded!!!!!!!

[brncs_fan]

I habe a problem that maybe some of you who have played basketball can help me with. My name was recently drawn from a box for a chance to win a brand new Harley Davidson. The catch though is that I have to make a lay-up, free throw, 3-pointer, and half-court shot to win the Harley and bask in the glory of maybe being that one guy that won something that one time at that one game.

My lay-ups are good, free-throw is good, 3-pointer is a splinter over ok... but I have not made one half-court shot in probably 50 attempts. Is there a secret that I don't know about that I should be trying? So far I am absolutely horrible at them.

[Rascal]

Most people who try a half court shot are throwing their whole body into it. it should be the same motion as the rest of your shots. Granted it takes some good upper body strength but that is how it should be done. You need to find a motion you feel comfortable with, and good mechanics, and learn to repeat that over and over.

if you can do that let me know because I sure as hell can't. LOL

Good luck BTW!!!

[RhymesayersDU]

Just practice is all I can say. Good luck though.

[elletrain]

I habe a problem that maybe some of you who have played basketball can help me with. My name was recently drawn from a box for a chance to win a brand new Harley Davidson. The catch though is that I have to make a lay-up, free throw, 3-pointer, and half-court shot to win the Harley and bask in the glory of maybe being that one guy that won something that one time at that one game.

My lay-ups are good, free-throw is good, 3-pointer is a splinter over ok... but I have not made one half-court shot in probably 50 attempts. Is there a secret that I don't know about that I should be trying? So far I am absolutely horrible at them.

Just don't throw it over handed, whatever you do. Actually shoot the ball. Practice, practice, practice. The secret to good free throw shooting is to have a consistant routine. You need to find that from half court, too.....same principle.

[BizzyBone7]

ill tell u what i know....shoot it just like a regular shot... DO NOT THROW IT LIKE A FOOTBALL. u may have to get a little bit of a running start but its more accurate if u shoot regular. get your body into it and lean forward. try to release it at the top of your jump, and make sure you get a very good arch on it so it has a better chance. its not so much the distance as it is the direction.
This is gonna sound stupid, but envision it first how you wanna do it then do it. Make sure u get good back spin on it and your lead foot (whether your a lefty or a righty) lands in front pointing to where u want the ball to go.
Theres no real skill to a half court shot, but it can be done, u just have to use more of a finesse type of motion.

good luck!

[texpat]

Is it a timed event, where you get multiple attempts within the time limit, or one shot at each location?

GOOD LUCK and PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!

[brncs_fan]

Is it a timed event, where you get multiple attempts within the time limit, or one shot at each location?

GOOD LUCK and PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!
One shot, all the marbles.

[watermock]

Practice man...Practice....

I dissagree that you use the same motion as the three pointer unless Baja is a freak. (which I seriously doubt...I see him on a lounge chair with a Corona).

If they let you, make a forward motion from maybe 5 yards behind the line and shoot more from the hip IMO. Then pray to your local God or Gods. Good Luck.

[watermock]

WTF? It's not a jump shot! I agree don't throw it like a football...that's for a full court prayer. Don't jump, you need your legs for a shot that long. You don't have to shoot over anyone. JMO

[GonzoLays]

Since women college basketball players don't have the upper body strength to shoot like men, they shoot it from the hip. Try that, I guarantee it will improve your accuracy.

[freak6]

One shot, all the marbles.

When I shoot them, I usually get a short running start, and I don't shoot it like a regular jump shot, but kind of like I am going to do a lay up. Since I am right handed, I shoot with my rt hand obviously, and with a short two steps I hop off my left foot and shoot the ball from the center of my body, not the right side of my body like a regular jump shot. With practice, this will guarantee your shot is inline, you should at least hit backboard, then you just have to get the range and you got a shot. I can hit the rim probably 40% of the time like this. Good luck.

[bronco_diesel]

it needs to be one fluid motion and resemble your normal form. do you get a few steps? i usually take a 2 step w/ dribble approach and do a pistol pete type shot...

it all comes down to practice though. find a shot that feels good and practice like mad. good luck!

[orange 4 life]

;D I habe a problem that maybe some of you who have played basketball can help me with. My name was recently drawn from a box for a chance to win a brand new Harley Davidson. The catch though is that I have to make a lay-up, free throw, 3-pointer, and half-court shot to win the Harley and bask in the glory of maybe being that one guy that won something that one time at that one game.

My lay-ups are good, free-throw is good, 3-pointer is a splinter over ok... but I have not made one half-court shot in probably 50 attempts. Is there a secret that I don't know about that I should be trying? So far I am absolutely horrible at them.

half court shots were one of my specialties back in my playing days.
that was a LONG time ago, but the memories are forever.

the key is NOT throwing your whole body into it.
also, you'll see many nba and college players take a big leap forward as they shoot it, and that too is not the best way to do it.
you'll need to practice a bit to find your range, but the best way to make that shot is a modified SET shot.
just enough hop in the legs to get the ball there.

take your normal shot (which SHOULD be essentially one handed with the non dominant hand simply keeping the ball in place) and modify it to make it a two hand shot.
its hard to describe as opposed to show, but essentially you want to take that normal shot and turn it into a two handed shot.
ball starts just above waist height, and as you bring it up in the shooting motion you use BOTH hands in the same motion you would normally use your right (assuming youre a righty).
you'll be surprised how much power you'll get using the strength in BOTH wrists to "flick" those wrists forward and make the shot two handed.

the key is to keep it as close to your regular shot as possible, and the way to do that is to use the left hand in conjunction with the right to generate the extra power.
practice a bit, and you'll quickly see how much "ooomph" you need to give it, and how much jump you need too. the quieter the lower body the better.

then, its just a matter of practicing to get your left and right hands working together.
from high school all through the one year in college (blew my left knee out in high school and then my right first year in college which ended my playing days) i would practice that shot for about 5 mins after each practice.
its obviously a rarely used shot, but its nice to have it available when needed and it paid off on a number of occasions.
also a fun way to finish my otherwise brutal practices. ;D

let me know how it goes.
having a harley is a great thing in life.

jake

[orange 4 life]

let me also add that you need to SHOOT the ball and not HEAVE it.

make your regular shooting motion but start the ball lower and use both hands.
FLICK those wrists forward like a normal shot.

hopefully this is clear, and forgive for all the detail.

as the son of a player and coach and a former player myself i cant help it.

[freak6]

All this, and he wont even make the free throw!!!

[watermock]

I'd like to see the Vegas odds on this one. Ha!

Obviously, there are two styles being discussed...or three...there is no reason to take a jump shot...you would probably have trouble even getting there...I don't know how old...err...young you are...

But the two styles are kinda the jogging hip shot (girlie style), or Orange 4 Life's style, but you still might struggle a little if your not in decent shape. You have to get a shot together where your easily getting there, then adjust your sights. If you win, I want to see you with the Hell's Angels in a pic.

[Jason in LA]

Practice that 3 point shot a lot, because you won't get to the half court shot if you don't hit the 3 pointer.

Keep practicing, and when you find a form that's getting you close, keep doing it that way. Make shore you shoot it straight everytime. That's the key. Many times when I concentrate really hard on shooting straight, all I have to do is worry about getting the distants right. When I don't conentrate on shooting straight, the shot of off many times.

[Boobs McGee]

Have you ever seen Rocky (nuggs mascot) out there? He throw's the reverse granny shot and actually nails quite a few of them.

I got curious, and started trying it out. WOW.

I don't know if it's the control you get with the two handed hold or what, but it's pretty damn accurate once you figure out your spot.

I'd say give it a shot. Stand a few feet from half court, grab the ball with both hands, and heave over your head towards the basket. I hit 3 out of 20 one day, so it's worth a try.

PLUS, when you cash that half courter while turned around, they'll probably throw in some saddle bags for being so damn cool.

[epa86b@netzero]

I habe a problem that maybe some of you who have played basketball can help me with. My name was recently drawn from a box for a chance to win a brand new Harley Davidson. The catch though is that I have to make a lay-up, free throw, 3-pointer, and half-court shot to win the Harley and bask in the glory of maybe being that one guy that won something that one time at that one game.

My lay-ups are good, free-throw is good, 3-pointer is a splinter over ok... but I have not made one half-court shot in probably 50 attempts. Is there a secret that I don't know about that I should be trying? So far I am absolutely horrible at them.

Good luck and like everyone has stated practice alot. However, I would start with shots 5-feet behind the 3 point line and make some. Then, I move back in 5-feet increments. This will build you confidence and form and help to calibrate your body to the various distances.