Basketball Hook Shot
By James Gels, from the Coach’s Clipboard Basketball Playbook, @ http://www.coachesclipboard.net  If you like this free page, please give us a "Like", a "+1" or a "Follow". Thanks! - Coach Gels |
The "Classic Hook Shot"
The hook shot came into being over half a century ago with George Mikan and the Minneapolis Lakers. This shot is used mainly by post players close to the basket, near the blocks or in the paint. The post player receives the ball inside with his/her back to the basket. The original "classic" hook shot is started by pivoting sideways on the non-shooting foot (the left foot with a right-handed shot) with the foot remaining on the floor. The body is turned sideways to the hoop with the off-shoulder pointing toward the hoop. Keep your body between the ball and the defender. The ball rests on the shooting hand, while the non-shooting hand is on top of the ball initially (before the actual shot). The shooting arm's elbow is "locked" into position next to the body and the shooting arm is extended away from the hoop and the defender on about a 45-degree angle. This is a one-handed shot. The shooter must turn his neck and head to look at the target. The shooting motion is begun by a lifting of the shooting arm up and over, or "from ear to ear". Like any good shot, the ball is released from the fingertips with a snap of the wrist. The off-arm can be held up to ward off the defender, but you cannot push or "hook" the defender with that arm. After releasing the shot, the shooter should immediately become a rebounder, pursue any missed shot and power it back up to the hoop.
See this old footage of a feed into the post and a classic hook shot, courtesy of YouTube.
The "Sky Hook"
Like most things, the hook shot has evolved over the years. Kareem Abdul Jabbar of the Los Angeles Lakers turned it into the unstoppable "sky hook" in the '80's. The 7-footer would catch the ball, and pivot on the non-shooting foot, but instead of keeping the foot on the floor, would jump off the floor while extending the shooting arm high. About the only way defenses could stop this would be to deny Kareem the ball, double-team so that he couldn't get into the motion of the shot, foul him, or just hope that he would miss one occasionally.Footwork is very important in correctly and consistently executing the sky-hook. When making the move to the middle, the inside foot (left foot for right handed shooters) must be planted parallel to the baseline. If the foot is over-rotated and is planted more than parallel (i.e. pointed towards the baseline), this will cause the shoulders to over-rotate, exposing the shot for a block. If the foot is under-rotated and planted pointing towards 1/2 court, this will not allow for proper balance.
The same principles apply for a sky hook to the baseline side. If the post player is on the side of the lane and turns to the baseline to execute the sky hook, the foot must now be perpendicular to the baseline. The same rules apply as above .. if your foot is pointing more towards the lane, you are exposing the shot. If it is pointing toward the corner, you lose balance.
See this video of Kareem and his devastating "sky-hook", courtesy of YouTube.
The "Jump Hook"
The modern-day jump hook merges the techniques of the old classic hook shot with the jump shot. The ball is received usually with the back to the basket. The shooter pivots and the body is turned sideways (perpendicular) to the basket with the shoulders in a line toward the hoop. The shooter jumps up off both feet much like a jump shot. Instead of extending the shooting arm outward and away from the hoop (as in the classic hook shot), the shooting arm extends vertically and high with the ball above the shoulder. The head is turned so that the shooter can see the target. The ball is released from the fingertips with a snap of the wrist, much like a jump shot.Learn to shoot the jump hook with either hand.
The jump hook is an important weapon that any great post player ought to include in his arsenal. A good low post player can keep the defender guessing by mixing up the jump hook with the baseline drop-step move, the up-and-under move and the turn and shoot move. See Post Moves.
See this video of a jump-hook drill (left), and Tim McCormick discussing the jump-hook (right), courtesy of ChampionshipProductions.com.
Also see: The Hook Shot, Explained by Hal Wissel
Hal Wissel has five excellent shooting DVD's that will take players and coaches to the next level. The second of these DVD's "BASKETBALL SHOOTING - Off the Pass, Off the Dribble and In the Post" does an excellent job of teaching the hook shot, and various post moves.
Helpful DVDs:
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Mike Krzyzewski: Duke Basketball - Developmental Drills for Post Players with Mike Krzyzewski "Coach K", Duke University Head Men's Basketball Coach;NABC "Coach of the Decade," 12X NABC "Coach of the Year," Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2001), 3X NCAA National Championships ('91, '92,'01) and Steve Wojciechowski, Duke University Assistant Basketball Coach; National "Defensive Player of the Year" ('98), 2X "All ACC," holds Duke's 2nd highest single season steal total (82). For the past 25 years, Duke has been known for some of the toughest post players in the country... Wojciechowski begins the post player workout with an active warm-up -- the warm-up is an opportunity to get loose while working on ball handling, passing, and short jumpers. Wojciechowski goes over a series of drills designed to enhance your post players' abilities "to the max," including: half-court snap shots of interior defense, drop step, jump hooks, screens, and other shooting drills. You will receive insight into how Duke develops ball denial in the post, developing "rebounding machines," low post moves, extended post moves, and screening (on the wing, high post, and baseline). Also clearly explained are the techniques and strategies to help pivot players grow in skill and ability, with special emphasis on foot skills... (more info) Price: $44.99 
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Pete Newell's Big Man Moves and Skill Development with Pete Newell, Basketball Hall of Fame ('79), Gold Medal Olympic Team ('60), NCAA Championship ('59), NIT Championship ('49), and Mike Dunlap, Metro State College Head Coach, 2X D-II NCAA Champions. Coach Pete Newell has spread his "big man" basketball principles across the world through his famous camps and clinics, having taught some of the game's best-ever post players such as Shaquille O'Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, Ralph Sampson, and Bill Walton. Coach Dunlap has also used these "Pete Newell" principles to transform the Metro State program into one of the powerhouses of Division II basketball. In this demonstration-clinic presentation, Coach Newell includes over 20 areas of big man development including pivoting, getting open, power moves, counters, psychological attitude, and 14 big man moves. Newell teaches virtually every move to get open, seal defenders, get jump shots and hooks shots, how to attack the basket, and how to finish strong. He also teaches and demonstrates the technique of the pick and roll, as well as all of the counters and reads to keep the defense guessing and off-balance. Everything taught in this basketball DVD can be incorporated into individual and team workouts and used at any point during the pre-season, in-season, and post-season for any age or skill level.... (more info) Price: $39.99
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Five-Star Basketball: Skill, Technique and Drills for Post Offense with Keith Holubesko, Five-Star Basketball Coach/Instructor and Case HS (MD) Head Boys Basketball Coach The teaching and drills in this DVD put post players on the path to developing the skills needed for successful post play. A warm-up series starts off this presentation and include drills such as: taps, pounds, pivots, Mikan series and Mikan combo drill. Coach Holubesko then moves into footwork and getting open in the post. He teaches the revolving door method and the knife move to help players get open in the post. The one-on-one drill with three perimeter passers is a drill that helps players develop footwork. Foot fighting is a constant challenge to post players and this drill fosters improvement. Other post moves taught in detail include drop step baseline, jump hook, jump hook counter, jump shot, and reverse pivot/crossover. In the high post, Holubesko concentrates on the reverse pivot. Offensive rebounding is another key area for post players that Holubesko touches on. This DVD is loaded with teaching points and competitive drills to raise the skill level of your post players... (more info) Price: $39.99
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