 should be short so you can quickly dip your takeoff knee in order to change forward momentum to upward momentum. Pick the ball up with your shooting hand on top of the ball in front of your shooting-side knee. Lift your shooting-side knee and the ball straight up. Avoid swiveling the ball to the side, which can cause the ball to be stolen or can put sidespin on the shot. Shoot the ball with a soft touch over the reach of a shot blocker. Keep your balance hand on the ball until the release for protection. Land in balance.  Follow through by keeping your arm up and fully extended at the elbow