The primary purpose of the Guide Hand in basketball shooting is to help secure the ball, deliver it to the set point, and then release from the ball so the Shooting Hand can take over and apply force toward the target. While there may be an ideal positioning for the Guide Hand, that ideal only applies to the shooting motion, assuming there are no issues with the catch or lifting motion beforehand.

The Role of the Guide Hand in the Catch

During the catch, the Guide Hand plays a crucial role in securing the ball in the shooter’s hands. For players with smaller hands or when the catch is difficult, the Guide Hand may need to be placed on one side of the ball while the Shooting Hand is on the other side. This can create two challenges:

1. The shooter may keep both hands in place during the lifting motion, leading to the shooting hand being positioned more on top of the ball at the Set Point. This requires a larger, more complex motion to get the ball into the shooting hand’s ideal position for the shot.
2. The shooter may have to adjust both hands on the ball during the lifting motion, adding extra moving pieces to the shot. While less than ideal, this reality often arises in the fast-paced, unpredictable setting of a game.

The Ideal Guide Hand Position at the Set Point

In a perfect world, once the ball reaches the Set Point, the Guide Hand should be on the side of the ball with the fingers pointing toward the ceiling. The Guide Hand should begin to release from the ball as the Shooting Hand pushes the ball out of the Set Point. This allows the Shooting Hand to maintain control of the ball and direct it toward the target.

Issues with Force from the Guide Hand

When the Guide Hand applies force to the ball, especially if it isn’t centered, it can easily push the ball off-line. Even if the force from the Guide Hand is aimed at the target, because the hand is pushing on one side of the ball, the Shooting Hand must compensate by pushing in the opposite direction, adding complexity to the motion.

This problem is particularly common with young players, who often push with the Guide Hand. Although it’s common, it adds unnecessary variables to an already complex shot and should be minimized as much as possible.

Timing of the Guide Hand Release

The timing of when the Guide Hand releases from the ball is also important. Evidence suggests that when both hands apply force to the ball at the same time, it is much more difficult for most players to control the shot than if the Guide Hand releases first, allowing the Shooting Hand to take over. However, regardless of timing, pushing with the Guide Hand should still be avoided as much as possible.

Post-Release Movement of the Guide Hand

Once the Guide Hand releases from the ball, any movements it makes are of little consequence to the shot itself. However, excessive movement should still be minimized, as it can be distracting and create unnecessary habits that may interfere with overall shooting consistency.