Shooting means aiming a ball (or other object like a bean bag) at or into a target. This skill starts with the individual in a stationary position trying to hit a stationary target before progressing to being in motion while shooting. This will require strength, coordination and balance to improve. Form and style are less important but may impact success early on. Facilitators should look to how they can improve power or accuracy by watching how they start their shot and where they end it. For most kids, a ball in the lap is where a shot will start. Others will lift the ball high before shooting lessening the power behind the shot.
Building on this is trying to aim at a moving target, or at a specific spot, or even a target that is being guarded by an opponent. Facilitators need to take into consideration distance (or height), weight of the object, target area and speed of activity when trying to adapt shooting appropriately. Games where players guard each other closely may make shooting very difficult for someone in a wheelchair.
Keys
- To shoot the ball the child should use the same technique that they used for a chest pass, starting with their hands on either side of the ball with their wrists rotated back so that their thumbs are as far under the ball as possible
- The child should start with the ball low in their lap
- To shoot the child then raises their arms in an upward motion towards the hoop
- It is important that the child snaps their wrists over to complete the shot. This is called follow through