What is the bank shot in basketball
The bank shot consists of action that occurs when an offensive player shoots the basketball so that it makes contact with the backboard, particularly at an certain angle, before falling into the rim.
Essentially, with the bank shot, the offensive player does not try to directly shoot the ball through the basket ring, especially to swish it, which would occur when the ball only hits the net as it passes through the rim.
Additionally, an offensive player could potentially increase the accuracy of the bank shot by shooting the ball near the corner of the backboard’s inner rectangle, which is the smaller rectangle that is adjacent to the basket itself.
It should also be noted that the bank shot was one of the signature scoring moves for NBA Hall of Famer, Tim Duncan, who consistently utilized it en route to five NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs basketball team.
Why is the bank shot generally effective
The bank shot is generally effective for offensive players because it could lead to a higher shooting percentage in certain instances as opposed to a regular jump shot.
Another reason why the bank shot is generally effective is because it essentially requires a player to shoot the ball consistently with a certain arc near the same spot on the backboard, which is usually near the corner of the inner rectangle. If the offensive player does not do this, then the ball will most likely not fall into the rim.
Therefore, the bank shot could be a great opportunity to score points for inconsistent shooters, offensive players that are having a “bad shooting night”, or perhaps, even non-shooters, which are players that rarely take jump shots, even if they are wide open.
Basically, if an offensive player is an inconsistent shooter, then the bank shot would, in essence, make them become more consistent.
If an offensive player is simply not able to make regular jump shots during a game, then that same player should consider switching to taking bank shots.
This could lead to an offensive player making more shots, especially if that player shoots the ball in the correct area of the backboard.
Also, if an offensive player is considered a non-shooter, then the bank shot could help them to become more confident with regard to possessing a fundamental shooting ability.
Next, to give a brief demonstration of the bank shot’s potential effectiveness, let’s say that a post player such as a power forward or center utilizes the athletic stance to set up near the right side low post block.
Afterwards, that same post player then receives the ball via a post entry pass from a perimeter-type player such as a point guard, shooting guard, or small forward, who would be initially near the right side wing.
Following that, the post player could then possibly face up towards the basket and take the bank shot or perhaps use some other type of low post move such as a post spin prior to taking the bank shot.
As another simple example, let’s say that a perimeter player has possession of the basketball inside of the three-point line between the wing, the high post elbow, and the low post block, while being guarded by a perimeter defender.
From that point, the perimeter player executes a basketball combo move, particularly a crossover dribble into a step back which creates a certain amount of space for a potential jump shot.
However, the perimeter defender is able to contest the jump shot attempt with a hand in the perimeter player’s face.
When that occurs, if the perimeter player attempts to take a regular jump shot, then the chances of that player making the shot would more than likely be a lower percentage, primarily because it would most likely be very difficult to see the rim.
However, if that perimeter player takes a high arching bank shot, especially in this specific mid-range area, then that player would almost certainly increase the chance of making the field goal attempt.
What is the general relationship between the bank shot and the layup
In terms of a general relationship, the bank shot is similar to the layup in that an offensive player can use the backboard for both types of shots to score points.
However, the bank shot is generally different from the layup because with a bank shot, an offensive player usually releases the ball from their hand while outside of the lane but conversely with a layup, an offensive player commonly releases the ball from their hand while inside of the lane area.
Another noticeable difference between the bank shot and the layup is that an offensive player always requires use of the backboard when trying for a bank shot but in reference to shooting a layup, an offensive player does not necessarily need to use the backboard.
For example, the finger roll, popularized by NBA Hall of Famer, George Gervin, does not require use of the backboard.
Instead, an offensive player would jump as high as possible, typically in front of the basket and roll the ball off of the fingertips with an underhanded motion.
What is an example of a basketball drill to practice the bank shot
This is an example of a simple basketball drill to practice the bank shot. The player executing the drill should start near the left side or right side low post block.
Afterwards, the player should shoot the ball off the backboard, especially towards the corner of the inner rectangle.
So, if the player is near the right side low post block, then that player should shoot the ball towards the right corner of the inner rectangle.
Next, the player should continue to take bank shots near the low post block until five to ten shots in a row have been made.
From there, the player could move one step back from the low post block and take bank shots again. The player should also keep trying to make five to ten bank shots in a row.
Once that goal is reached, the player would move yet another step away from the basket and continue to take bank shots while trying to consistently make five to ten shots in a row.
This can be done on both sides of the half court, starting with either the left side or the right side.
After a player masters this variation of the drill, it is possible to then add a one dribble pull-up. That is to say, the player would begin a step or two away from the low post block and then take one dribble forward followed by a bank shot.
The player could take a certain amount of bank shots in total or make a specified amount of bank shots in a row, similar to the previous variation of the drill.
In addition to all of that, to make the drill even more challenging, a player could add a timer. That is to say, the player would have to make a certain amount of bank shots in a certain amount of time.