News & Insights
Bank Shot Coaching Tips (front side of clip board)
Bank shots provide at least three benefits:
1. Opportunity to shoot higher over your opponent
2. Absorbs energy off the ball and gives a 'softer' shot
3. More 'forgiving angle on the basket and increases likelihood of making the shot
Bank shots are best used in three situations:
1. Jump shots
2. Hook shots
3. Lay-ups
Bank shots work best from the floor locations shown below. In other locations, such as from straight out (foul line) and from the perimeter, shoot for the basket (See below).
A bank shot can be aimed simply by knowing that the ball will bounce off the backboard at the same angle that it hits the backboard. To help players 'visualize' the proper location to bank the ball, imagine a 'virtual target' that would be at rim height approximately 6 inches* back from the front face of the backboard. If they aim for this point, they will be taking proper aim for the perfect bank shot. (See below)
* Footnote: The imaginary target location must be adjusted for size of the ball. Six inches is derived by taking the distance from center of rim to backboard of 15 inches, then subtracting diameter of basketball (9 inches).
Bank Shot Quotes (back side of clip board)
"The backboard is your friend." - Larry Bird
"He who controlleth the backboard, controlleth the game." - Adolph Rupp
After winning a game with 1.3 seconds left… "When I spun back, I saw I had the bank shot." - Dwyane Wade
"The purpose of using the backboard is to bank the ball at an angle, thus slowing the speed of the ball and increasing its chances of falling into the hoop." - Wikipedia
"Boards, boards, boards." - Knute Rockne
"It usually doesn't require as much control or precision to sink a bank shot as it does a straight shot." - Everything2.com
"If you are going to take it to the bank, then cash it in." - Shannon Fish
"Watch Tim Duncan play over the course of a few games and you'll be amazed at how many shots he shoots off the backboard. He does it for a reason: it works." - Basketballsuccess.com
