Jumping Ideas in Basketball

Every basketball player needs to have a jump shot in his or her arsenal. According to The Coach's Clipboard, jump shots are the most common basketball shot used today. Jump shots allow the shooter to get more shots off with a quicker release than other shot choices.
When to Use
Jump shots are used often during basketball games. Many players exclusively use the jump shot for any field goal outside of 2 to 3 feet away from the basket. Players shoot lay-ups in the immediate 2- to 3-foot area around the basket, and some bigger players use a hook shot or jump hook for short shots between 3 and 10 feet. Outside shots are almost exclusively jump shots, especially at competitive levels of play including high school and above.
Form
Using proper form is one of the most important parts of the jump shot and gives you a better chance to get the shot off and make the basket. Different players can have different styles on jump shots, but some broad characteristics can help accuracy and the ability to create the shot. Players should attempt to release the shot at the peak or top of their jump, which means the ball should be coming out of the hands at the peak. Most players have more success with starting their shot above their head to get more extension and lessen the chances for a blocked shot.
Fadeaways
The fadeaway jump shot has become a much-used form of the jumper in recent years. A fadeaway means that players jump slightly away from the basket instead of jumping straight up and down as they shoot. The fading action allows players to create extra space between them and the defense, and that means that the shooter has extra room and further lessens the chance of having the shot blocked. This helps smaller players get the shot off easier and allows them to see the basket better as they shoot.
Tweak Follow Through
Slightly changing the form from a set shot or a free throw allows some players to become more accurate with their jump shots. One of the biggest tweaks is to flatten out the follow through on the shot. On a free throw, the usual follow through extends the shooting arm up and out to get the maximum arch on the ball. With the jump shot, flattening the follow through to extend just out towards the basket allows players to have a more compact shot and still get the same arch on the ball because of the leap on the shot.