How to shoot a basketball left-handed like a champ? Here some tips for you to have a left-handed shot like the legendary Nate Archibald! Let’s take a look!
In the competitive basketball world, mastering a powerful shot with the non-dominant (commonly known as your left hand) will grant you a massive advantage. The ability to carry out a short jump with the left hand can help you finish the game or get past the defender.
Learning how to shoot a basketball left-handed takes hours of practice, in case you want to be like Dave Cowens or Nate Archibald. However, we have some handy tips that could help you a lot in practice.
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For the best head start, you should focus on dribbling the ball to the hoop’s left angle to get accustomed to using the left side of your body. Moreover, that side of the court would be the place where you demonstrate the trick.
During the practice, you should expect to get close to the hoop, but not under it, as it may cause many difficulties in carrying out the shot. A perfect left-handed lay-up usually begins with a running dribble.
For that reason, you are highly suggested to work on approaching the left side of the hoop slowly, and then speed up through the time when you are used to the footwork.
The left-handed shot is quite suitable for those who play in the center or the shooting guard position, as players on the right should do the right-handed shot for optimal results.
Dribble The Ball Close To The Basket With Your Left Hand
When you are just a few steps left from the hoop, use your left foot for the final step before the jump. It is crucial to keep track of the distance at this step. If you are too far or too close with the hoop, you can barely make the shot precisely.
Therefore, you should take some time to estimate the most comfortable distance, then practice the move frequently. For most players, the area around the painted circle is the best place to do the jump.
So how far from the hoop is the best for you? Let’s go to the court and find out!
Approach The Hoop
The moment your right foot lands on the ground, take advantage of the momentum and jump up towards the hoop. Your body should not lean forward the hoop, but it should be moving towards it. If your position is ideal, you are expected to hop straight up and show the trick flawlessly.
Once you are ready for the jump, do the shot with your left arm with a lifted left leg. Let’s imagine you are a puppet controlled by the basketball master. Your left hand is tightly attached to your left foot through a string.
Move them synchronously during the shooting as if someone is pulling the string upward. Your left knee should be bent and directed to the hoop while your left arm moves up to send the ball into the basket.
Remember to arch your arm and slightly bend your elbow to get the perfect angle. If your arm looks like the neck of a swan, you’re good to go.
When aiming for a left-handed layup, you might find a slight change in the shooting technique when compared to a traditional shot. Whereas you need to secure the ball with your right hand in a regular shot, you will do the lefty trick entirely with your left hand, which would give you more reach.
With the right position and moves, the possibility to earn a few winning scores, or put the whole competitor’s defense on hold, is no longer a difficult challenge.
Make A Jump From Your Right Foot
A lay-up can be really tricky because you are required to precisely target the backboard as a tool to ease the shot into the hoop. When practicing this particular technique, the secret spot is the small square’s top left in the backboard center.
This spot would do wonders in helping you finish the shot successfully. It will ease the force from the powerful shot and make the ball drop through the net as planned. It is much harder to control an open lay-up than one with the backboard being targeted.
Whatever secret tricks we are providing, you should remember that it only works if you invest your time and effort in it (lots of it to be honest). You should practice until it becomes an instinct. Train yourself until you remember what to do without having to think about which foot should be put forward or which one is used for the final jump!
Practice it as the essentials in your daily basketball routine. Gradually, you get a good sense of the suitable speed you take to approach the hoop and the optimal distance to do the lay-up footwork. You will also estimate closely how far you launch the final jump and do the shot.
Aim The Shot Precisely With Your Left Hand
In a nutshell, practicing how to shoot a basketball left-handed can sometimes cost you some blood, tears, and definitely a lot of sweat. But that’s how we can’t stop loving this sport, don’t we?
Once you are excelled at these lefty skills, you could make game-changing moves for the team and bring back home the precious cup that every avid basketball fan desires. Mastering a shot with your non-dominant hand also helps you become more flexible in the game. Moreover, it can benefit you in the process of learning other new skills.
So let’s go into the court and shed some sweat!
Further Reading:
How to shoot perfectly as a lefty in basketball
How to Shoot a Basketball with the Left Hand
Advice from Reddit: I’m right-handed but I shoot left basketball
