Only because you are “open” in basketball, does not mean you should take the shot. Any proper basketball coach will be able to tell you that; there are good shots and there are bad ones. Shot selection is extremely valuable. You should be able to know when to attempt a shot and when to reconsider. This is probably the most important skill to learn for a basketball at any level.

What makes a shot good or bad? The basis for determining a good shot will vary depending on the particular situation. That being said, there are a bunch of questions that you can ask in order to determine the quality of any shot. The following article will give you a ton of information that will ultimately help improve your shot selection in the game of basketball.

First, ask yourself, is this a high percentage shot?

Your chances of making the shot will ultimately depend on how close the shot is. If you had to make a shot to save your life, would you choose a long or shorter shot? It is pretty obvious that, in most circumstances, you would choose a shorter shot. This is only because your odds of making the shot are better, the closer you are. However, there are exceptions to the rule. But in general, the closer you are, the better your chances. The same logic will apply during an in-game scenario.

Holding out for a good shot can be very suitable for a team. According to a recent study, over 60% of shots taken inside of 5 feet are successful. At the same time, only 30% of the shots taken actually account for shots within 5 feet. This goes to show, people are making shooting harder on themselves. You must strive for closer shots as these tend to be a higher percentage shots.

Then ask yourself: Am I in my Shooting Range?

The best way to accurately determine your shooting range is to be truthful to oneself. Shooting styles are individual, your shooting style will vary depending on many factors. However, one factor remains the same throughout all good shooters. That factor is confidence. Good shooters have high confidence in their ability to make a shot. Knowing your shooting range will help you build and establish the confidence that you need to make a particular shot.

In order to determine your shooting range, you can follow these steps:

1. Pick a spot that is relatively close to the rim on the same side as your dominant hand.
2. Get into your shooting stance.
3. Take 15 shots from that exact spot and count your success/failure ratio.
4. If over 75% of your shots are made, then take 2 big steps backwards and repeat the process.

Remember, the more areas you test on the court, the more accurate your information will be. It is a very good idea to practice the entire court. This way you will have a good idea where you are most successful at shooting.

Next question: Is this shot in the best interest of my team?

Your shot selection should ultimately depend on whether or not it is going to help your team win. Basketball is a team sport. For example, if your team is running a fast paced style offense, you should not strive for long range shots. This is because it will make it difficult for your team to get back on defense. Instead, you will want to go for short shots, in particular, lay-ups. This will allow your team to get back on defense and defend the basket. However, some offenses are catered towards long distance shots. Knowing your teams offensive and defensive styles will go a long way towards helping determine whether a shot is good or bad.

Can I make a pass?

The ideal scenario is that your team ultimately attempts the best possible shot on the court at the given time. For this reason, it is a good idea to take a second and consider the benefits of making another pass. If a teammate is visibly more “open” than you, you should always make the extra pass. Ultimately, the goal is to make the shot. The more “open” someone is, the more likely the chances of a successful shot.

If you follow the advice given in this article, you should be able to improve your shot selection. Now that you understand the importance of a good shot selection, you should work towards improving it. In order to be a great basketball player, you must have a great shot selection. Take time and improve your game by improving your shot selection. You will find that shooting is not as hard as it looks.