The jump hook

Provided by Coach Vic,
Conceptual Basketball
For Active.com

The jump hook is a very effective shot near the basket, particularly when a taller player is guarding you. The correct movement pattern for the jump hook is exactly the same as for the jump shot (refer to my tip on the Basic Jump Shot), except for the relationship of the body to the basket. In the jump shot, your shoulders and body are square to the basket. In the jump hook, you protect the ball by keeping your body and non-shooting arm directly between the ball and the opponent guarding you.

Getting set

Stand two or three feet directly in front of the basket. Assume a jumping stance with your feet shoulder width apart, and parallel to each other. One foot is slightly ahead of the other and your knees are flexed. Your shoulders should be square to the basket and slightly ahead of your hips, which should be directly over the mid point of your feet. Your head should be erect. A more detailed explanation can be found in the 'Getting Set' section of the Basic Jump Shot tip.

Once set, rotate your body 90 degrees so that the shoulder of your non-shooting arm is pointing directly at the basket. While rotating the body, slide the non-shooting hand along the surface of the ball so that it ends up directly between the basket and the ball. The shooting hand continues to face the basket.

Note: If you are shooting with your right hand, your forearm should be vertical and the ball should be directly over your right shoulder. To make yourself as tall as possible, your shooting arm should be fully extended, with only a slight bend at the elbow. This is the correct stance for the jump hook.

Shooting

Once set for the jump hook, jump and shoot as explained in the Basic Jump Shot. Shooting is a one-piece action in which you quickly jump and uncock the wrist. This quick jumping action generates most of the power for the shot with the feet barely leaving the floor. The hand comes forward as the wrist is uncocked, and the ball immediately begins to rise up on the fingertips. Quick wrist action and fingertip control give a crisp back spin to the ball. For maximum control of the ball, it should come off the tips of the forefinger and middle finger.

To transfer power from the legs to the ball, release the ball just as, or just before, you complete your jump. Make sure the ball leaves the fingertips before the arm straightens in the follow through. As the shooting arm straightens, the wrist should end up only slightly ahead of the elbow, which should not be tightly locked.

The hand will have completed its full range of motion from being cocked back to being crisply snapped forward. To protect the ball, keep the non-shooting hand fully extended until the ball is well on its way to the basket. Learn to shoot the jump hook with either hand.

Perfecting the jump hook

After shooting from a stationary position, work on shooting by stepping on to your non-pivot foot and raising your pivot foot off the floor (see my tip on the Stride Stop Lay-up).

For example, if you want to shoot a jump hook with your right hand, then establish your left foot as the non-pivot foot and take a step with that same foot -- jumping vertically and shooting as you complete the step. To avoid traveling, make sure your non-pivot foot does not come down on the floor until after the ball leaves your hand.

Adding a step

To practice the jump hook with a step-in, do the following. On the left side of the basket, stand at a 45 degree angle to the backboard about four or five feet from the basket. Get set to shoot the basic jump shot. Instead of shooting, step into the paint with your left foot on a line that is parallel to the baseline. As your left foot hits the floor, execute the jump hook.

Return to the starting position. Get set. Then step with your right foot toward the baseline on a line that is parallel to the sideline. Execute the jump hook with your left hand. After several repetitions of each shot, do this exercise from the other side of the hoop.

Practice executing the jump hook after receiving a pass or ending a dribble near the basket from a layup position on the court. You can use the jump hook when your opponent denies you a layup and add it to your offensive arsenal.