Teaching your child to shoot a basketball

Love to play basketball? Want to share your passion by introducting the game to your preschooler? Here’s how.

Start small.

Buy him a short basket – seven feet high instead of ten feet – and a mini basketball so he won’t get frustrated.

Holding help.

Have him rest the ball on his fingertips and explain that you really shoot with hust one hand. If you’re a righty, your left hand serves as a guide and nothing more.

The big release.

Position the basketball right in front of his face, then have him push straight up with his arms, snapping his wrists as he lets go.

Stay close.

Most kids are in love with three-point shots. But tell him that it’s better to start out near the basket so that he develops the proper form.