How Many Lines Are There Before the Shot?

Marvin Harvey
Jul 29
3 min read

By Marvin Harvey, The Original Shot Doctor

🔍 Shooting Is Geometry

Basketball shooting isn’t just about motion—it’s about lines. Invisible lines. Alignment lines. Target lines. Balance lines. Understanding these lines—and respecting them—builds a repeatable, powerful, and precise shooting form.

Here’s a breakdown of 14 critical alignment lines to check before the shot even begins:

✅ The 14 Pre-Shot Alignment Lines

Feet Inside the Lines of the Shoulders
- Balance begins with a stable base.
Body in a Straight Vertical Line
- No leaning, no over-bending. Legs are in the ready position—not squatting.
Shooting Arm Parallel to the Floor
- The arm should form a box with the shooting pads, wrist, arm, and shoulder.
Fingers on the Shooting Hand Centered on the Ball
- No leaning fingers or offsets—dead center.
Three Shooting Fingers (Directors) Pointed Behind the Ball
- Relaxed, directed toward the target line.
Middle Finger Aligned with the Nose
- Perfect head-hand-target coordination.
Balance Fingers Aligned Across from Each Other
- Symmetry prevents imbalance in the shot.
Thumbs Pointed Ahead in Passive Position
- No pushing or flaring out.
Non-Shooting Fingers on the Side of the Ball
- Support only—never to guide or spin.
Shooting Fingers Pointed Up / Non-Shooting Fingers Pointed Forward
Check this contrast—it guarantees proper hand separation.
Everything Starts on the Front Line of the Body
No twists or ball drifts behind the head or shoulder.
Ball Starts in the Center Between Waist and Shoulders
Establish vertical symmetry early.
Eyes-Hand Coordination Lock-In
Before movement starts, establish a line from eyes to rim, then back to shooting pads.
Target Line Determines Arc
Distance, height, and arc are calculated instantly by the mind based on that first lock-in.

📌 And remember: Everything involved in shooting should stay inside the imaginary lines of the rim throughout the entire shot.

Understanding the Levels of Arc

The arc is one of the most debated—and misunderstood—elements of the shot. That’s because arc isn’t one-size-fits-all. It must be trained, programmed, and matched to each shooter’s form, distance, and biomechanics.

🎓 Q: What is Arc?

A: Arc is a combination of height + distance.

Why Arc Gets Confusing

Arc happens above your line of vision, making it hard to monitor without film.
Many players assume arc is all about the elbow position.
Few realize the entire body—from knees to eyes—contributes to arc.
Most importantly, arc begins at the set-point. A poor set-point equals a broken arc.

The Hidden Key: Eye-Hand Coordination + Body Uncoiling

Arc is not just a result of arm angle. The entire body—from the ready position to the release—influences how high and far the ball travels.

A poor set-point causes the shooter to throw the arms out instead of up.
A strong set-point allows the brain to subconsciously find the ideal arc plane—even from half court.
The wrist, elbows, and finger pads must maintain their alignment through the release box to preserve arc.

👉 The best shooters don’t force arc—they let it happen by preserving alignment and sequencing.

🎯 Ten Levels of Arc

Think of arc like a ladder with ten rungs. Not all are useful. Not all are efficient. But understanding the Ten Levels of Arc allows you to find your personalized sweet spot.

🚧 Level 10: The Steppers Drill

Setup:

Stand directly under the basket, facing the baseline.
Hold five cones.
Take a large step out from the rim and place a cone. Repeat for five steps, spacing them evenly away from the goal.

Execution:

Return under the basket and look up.
Go through your shooting form—without the ball.
Your arm should be directly in line with the center of the net—that’s Level 10 Arc.

Insight:Level 10 is the highest theoretical arc, but it’s not practical for game use—not even on a layup. The purpose is to feel vertical alignment and arm extension. As you move away from the basket, your arc will lower naturally while staying consistent.

Programming Efficient Arc in Training

Use the mirror to check your boxes and angles.
Use cones and stepping drills to feel distance and how arc adjusts.
Use video breakdowns to track flight and consistency.
Program your form to preserve the line from set-point to release.

The best shooters allow their arms to find their ideal plane, without tension, by training their body to move through repeatable patterns.

Final Thought: Arc Is a Mind-Body Relationship

Great shooters have a clear connection between their eyes, hands, and target. Poor shooters often have that connection cluttered by myths and muscle confusion.

Clear your mind. Trust your lines. Program your arc.