NBA 3 PT Shooting Secrets: 5 Proven Techniques to Boost Your Accuracy

I remember the first time I realized how much three-point shooting had transformed basketball. It was during an MPBL game last season where Sarangani pulled off an incredible comeback against Cebu - hitting seven consecutive three-pointers in the final quarter. The arena went absolutely wild, and I found myself thinking how different the game looks compared to when I first started following basketball. The three-pointer isn't just another shot anymore - it's become the great equalizer, the weapon that can turn underdogs into champions overnight. That Sarangani-Cebu matchup, scheduled again this Thursday at 4 p.m. along with Basilan versus Mindoro at 6 p.m. and Pasay against Bataan at 8 p.m., demonstrates why every team needs reliable outside shooters.

Let me share something I've learned from watching countless games and talking to shooting coaches - proper foot alignment might sound basic, but it's where most amateur players mess up. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart, with your shooting foot slightly forward. I've seen players improve their accuracy by 15-20% just by fixing their footwork. Think about it - if your base isn't stable, everything else falls apart. It's like building a house on shaky foundation. When I watch MPBL games, I can immediately spot which players have disciplined footwork and which don't. The ones who do tend to have much more consistent shooting nights, regardless of defensive pressure.

The elbow alignment technique took my own shooting from inconsistent to reliable. Your shooting elbow needs to be directly under the ball, forming that perfect "L" shape we always hear about. I spent two months just working on this single aspect, and my percentage went from about 28% to nearly 38% on practice threes. That's the difference between being a liability and a legitimate threat from deep. Watching Basilan's shooters during their 6 p.m. game against Mindoro will give you perfect examples of this - their starting guards maintain textbook elbow positioning even when contested.

Now here's where things get interesting - the shooting pocket concept. The ball should start in your "pocket" around your waist or chest, not way above your head or down at your knees. This creates rhythm and flow in your motion. I've timed it - the difference between starting too high versus the right pocket position can add 0.3 seconds to your release. That might not sound like much, but in games like Pasay versus Bataan at 8 p.m., that split second determines whether you get your shot off cleanly or have it swatted into the stands.

Follow-through might be the most overlooked aspect. You've got to hold that goose neck finish until the ball reaches the rim. I can't tell you how many players I see immediately pulling their hand back after release. Proper follow-through adds backspin and improves trajectory. My personal rule? Count "one Mississippi" while holding the follow-through. This simple habit improved my shooting consistency dramatically. When you watch these MPBL games, pay attention to which players maintain their follow-through even when fatigued - they're usually the ones hitting clutch shots in the fourth quarter.

The mental game separates good shooters from great ones. Visualization techniques, breathing patterns between free throws - these matter more than people realize. Before important games, I used to visualize making ten threes in a row from different spots. Sounds silly, but it programmed my muscle memory. The confidence that comes from mental preparation is palpable. You can see it in players during tight games - the ones who've mentally rehearsed those situations usually perform better under pressure.

What fascinates me about three-point shooting is how it's changed team strategies completely. Teams will literally build their entire offense around creating open threes. The math is simple - hitting 35% from three equals 52.5% from two. That efficiency advantage has revolutionized basketball at every level. Even in the MPBL, you'll notice how teams like Sarangani and Pasay have built their rosters specifically to maximize three-point opportunities while maintaining defensive integrity.

I've come to appreciate that three-point shooting isn't just about raw talent - it's about repeatable mechanics, mental toughness, and understanding the strategic value of each attempt. The next time you watch an MPBL triple-header like Thursday's matchups, pay close attention to these techniques. Notice how the most successful shooters combine fundamental form with game intelligence. And if you're working on your own shot, remember that consistency beats flashiness every time. The satisfaction of seeing your percentage climb through dedicated practice? That's worth more than any single made three-pointer, no matter how spectacular it looks.