Hand Placement

Hand Placement

Author: NBA Shooting Coach Dave Love September 10, 2024 Duration: 1:05:57

In this detailed episode of our basketball podcast, we explore one of the most critical aspects of shooting technique—hand placement. Hosted by Coach Dave Love, we dive deep into how the positioning of your hands can dramatically impact your shooting effectiveness. From the middle of the shooting hand to the specific roles of the fingertips and palm, we cover everything you need to know to refine your shot.

Key Topics Discussed:

  • The Middle of the Shooting Hand: Understanding why this is a pivotal point for controlling the basketball.
  • Fingertips vs. Palm: The advantages of ball contact with the fingertips for enhanced control and the common pitfalls when the ball rests too much on the palm.
  • Shooting Hand Thumb: How the thumb's position influences ball stability and trajectory.
  • Guide Hand Dynamics: Optimal positioning and timing for the guide hand during the shot to prevent interference with the ball's flight.
  • Practical Scenarios: When does hand placement matter the most? We analyze critical shooting situations where precise hand placement can make the difference between scoring and missing.
  • Correcting Flaws: Practical tips and drills to practice correct hand placement, tailored for shooters looking to fix specific flaws in their technique.

This episode is packed with actionable advice and detailed explanations to help both new and experienced players understand the nuances of hand placement and its direct effect on their shooting performance. Tune in to start improving your game today!


The art and science of a perfect jump shot is dissected on The Coach Dave Love Podcast. NBA Shooting Coach Dave Love moves beyond generic tips, partnering with host Matt Robertson to break down the evidence-based mechanics and mental frameworks that separate good shooters from great ones. This isn't just theory; it's practical knowledge drawn directly from the highest levels of the game. Conversations with a rotating roster of guests explore the nuanced realities of shooting development, from foundational footwork to the psychology of consistency under pressure. Each episode serves as a deep dive into the craft, offering listeners a unique blend of technical analysis and broader philosophical discussions about improvement. Whether you're a player, coach, or simply fascinated by basketball's most celebrated skill, this podcast provides a rare look inside the meticulous process of building a reliable shot. You'll hear Dave Love's firsthand insights, making complex concepts accessible and immediately applicable. The dialogue is grounded in real-world application, ensuring every discussion translates to tangible understanding on the court. Tune in for a thoughtful and detailed exploration of what it truly takes to master basketball's most essential skill.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 72

The Coach Dave Love Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Task Decomposition in Shooting Development [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:02
In this episode, Coach Dave Love dives deep into the common coaching method of task decomposition, where the shooting motion is broken into isolated parts for improvement. While this approach may seem intuitive, Coach Lo…
The Player Led Approach [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:57
In this episode of "The Coach Dave Love Podcast," NBA Shooting Coach Dave Love and co-host Matt Robertson delve into the transformative concept of the player-led approach to basketball coaching. This method emphasizes em…
Quiet Eye Research with Dr Derek Panchuk PhD [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:12
In this illuminating episode of "The Coach Dave Love Podcast," Dave Love and co-host Matt Robertson are joined by Dr. Derek Panchuk, an expert in the field of sports psychology, to explore the fascinating concept of Quie…
Common Mistakes I See Coaches Making [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:53
Join NBA Shooting Coach Dave Love and co-host Matt Robertson in this crucial episode of "The Coach Dave Love Podcast," where they discuss "Common Mistakes I See Coaches Making." This episode sheds light on frequent error…
Knowledge of Process vs Results [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:33
Explore the essential concepts of Knowledge of Process (KoP) and Knowledge of Results (KoR) in this insightful episode of "The Coach Dave Love Podcast," hosted by NBA Shooting Coach Dave Love and co-host Matt Robertson.…
Perception/Action Coupling [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:53
Explore the critical concept of Perception/Action Coupling in this enlightening episode of "The Coach Dave Love Podcast," hosted by NBA Shooting Coach Dave Love and co-host Matt Robertson. In "Perception/Action Coupling,…
I Don't Do Drills Anymore [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:34
In this transformative episode of "The Coach Dave Love Podcast," NBA Shooting Coach Dave Love and co-host Matt Robertson discuss a significant shift in Coach Love's coaching methodology. "I Don't Do Drills Anymore" delve…
The Two Most Important Connections [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:37
In this episode of "The Coach Dave Love Podcast," NBA Shooting Coach Dave Love and co-host Matt Robertson delve into the critical connections that form the foundation of effective shooting: how the feet connect to the fl…
Why I Don't Coach the Follow Through [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:20
Join NBA Shooting Coach Dave Love and co-host Matt Robertson for a thought-provoking discussion in this episode of "The Coach Dave Love Podcast." Titled "Why I Never Coach a Follow-Through," this episode challenges tradi…
Shooting Development in a Team Practice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:21
In this episode of "The Coach Dave Love Podcast," NBA Shooting Coach Dave Love and co-host Matt Robertson delve into the intricate challenges coaches face when aiming to improve shooting habits within the constraints of…