Want to learn how to do Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Skyhook? Look no further. This article shares how to do it and why you should learn it.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the greatest players to ever play in the NBA.
He is a 2-time scoring champion, 6-time MVP, and a 6-time NBA champion. He accomplished a lot in his 20-year career and one of the reasons why, I believe, is because he had a basketball move he was able to rely on.
If he hadn’t mastered the skyhook, I don’t think he would’ve been as dominant as he was.
How to do Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Skyhook
So, here’s how to do one of the most iconic basketball moves –Kareem’s Skyhook:
(Watch the above video to learn how to do the move)
Key Notes:
- Try to master gaining position and the shooting form as these two are crucial in making the shot consistently
- When learning or drilling, try to practise with a partner because having a defender can help you learn how to shoot the skyhook over people. If you’re just shooting it against air, you’ll just try to make the shot rather than scoring it against a defender. This can affect the height and power of the shot.
- If you are unable to find someone to practise with, you can use a basketball dummy or something that can act as a defender, like a broom.
- Remember to practise the shot on both sides of the basket
- Once you’re comfortable with the fundamentals of the skyhook, challenge yourself by getting creative and experimenting with new ways of setting up the shot. For example, you can try adding in a shot fake or the “Dream Shake” before shooting it.
- When first starting out, do 3 sets of 10 skyhooks on both sides of the rim. Increase the sets and repetitions when this workout gets too easy.
The Mikan Drill
Another drill that will help you master Abdul-Jabbar’s skyhook is the Mikan Drill.
The Mikan Drill will teach you the form and timing of the shot (and let you practise it). It’ll also help you work on your coordination, hand positioning, and shot release.
Here’s a quick primer on how to do the Mikan Drill. If you want a full explanation, click here to read an article I previously wrote:
- Stand underneath the basket
- Proceed to shoot a hook shot on your right side
- Rebound the ball, then shoot a hook shot on your left side
- Rebound the ball and shoot it on your right side
- Repeat these steps until you make 20 shots
This is one of the drills Kareem did regularly to help him work on the fundamentals of the skyhook, which led to him scoring it on a consistent basis.
The Importance of Timing
One more thing to keep in mind when shooting the skyhook is timing.
In the 70s and 80s, Abdul-Jabbar was one of the tallest players and one of the most difficult players to defend. He was tall and lengthy and skilled. He had great footwork (which helped him in the post) and a reach that seemed to extend past the rafters.
But the most important ability he had that helped him make the skyhook frequently was being able to time the shot.
Via ESPN:
“When you shoot it, you force people to wait for you to go up,” Abdul-Jabbar said, “And if they wait until I started to shoot it then they’d have to judge the distance and time it, and it’s gone before they can catch up to it.
“That’s, for me, the beauty of it. You’re in control because of when you’re gonna release it and where. The defense has to see that and calculate everything before they get an opportunity to block it.”
The reason I bring this up is to show that you don’t need to be the tallest player on the court to shoot the skyhook. If you are able to effectively create space and get the defender to react on your terms, then you’ll be able to take a clean hook shot.
I will add, however, that this doesn’t apply if you are posting up against a way taller player than you. If a player, when his/her arm is extended, matches or reaches past the apex of your shot, you probably shouldn’t try the skyhook on them.
But if you’re playing against a player that’s about your height or slightly taller, this shot -when done right- will work almost every time.
The Benefits of Learning the Skyhook
The main reason why you should learn the skyhook is that it’ll be another type of basketball shot in your arsenal. You may not use it a lot, but when you do need it, it’ll be ready for you to pop out of your utility belt.
Additionally, the skyhook is just a good shot to know and to be able to do. It’s a reliable shot that doesn’t require much athleticism. You just need to get the steps down and you should be able to knock down the shot the majority of the time.
Conclusion
The skyhook is an awesome shot to learn. It’s effective and efficient. So, give it a try and see how your game improves.