The primary goal for a shooter’s eyes is to find the target as quickly as possible and remain locked onto it throughout the entire shooting motion. The ideal target for the shooter is the middle of the back of the rim—the farthest part of the rim from the shooter. This target provides a physical point to judge distance and allows room for error, especially as the player gets tired. Instead of focusing on the air in the center of the hoop, aiming at the back of the rim provides a more precise reference.

Aiming Small, Missing Big

By locking in on the smallest possible target, players give themselves more margin for error. The concept of "aim small, miss big" applies here: focusing on a smaller part of the rim gives the shooter a greater chance of success even if they miss slightly.

Targeting in Game Situations

In the heat of a game, a player’s eyes are naturally pulled in many directions—they need to be aware of teammates, defenders, and the ball itself. Despite this, the shooter should make every effort to find the target as early as possible. In a more controlled situation like a free throw, players should aim to locate the target and lock onto it for a brief moment (about a second) before beginning their shooting motion.

Maintaining Focus During the Shot

Once locked onto the target, the shooter’s eyes should remain focused on that point throughout the entire shooting motion. Ideally, they should continue focusing on the rim even after the ball has left their hand. While there is no harm in glancing up at the ball once it reaches its apex and is well out of the player’s hands, encouraging this habit can lead to problems. If players look up too early, they risk losing focus on the target before releasing the ball, which can negatively affect the shot’s accuracy.

Brief Loss of Vision

It’s important to understand that the ball may briefly block the player’s view of the rim during the shooting motion. Because the ball is close to the shooter’s line of sight—or possibly directly in front of the eyes—the player might lose sight of the rim for a fraction of a second. However, this momentary loss of vision happens so quickly that it is not detrimental to the shot. In fact, because the player is aiming with their eyes, it’s beneficial to have the ball follow that line, even if it temporarily obscures the rim.

Both Eyes for Depth Perception

Both eyes are critical for depth perception during the shot. Keeping the ball and head in a position that allows both eyes to focus on the target is essential. Turning the head or altering the ball’s path in relation to the dominant eye can disrupt depth perception and lead to less accurate shots. Even if a player is cross-eye dominant (e.g., left-eye dominant but right-handed), the ball’s path should not be adjusted toward the dominant eye side of the body, as this would misalign the shooting hand and compromise control over the shot.