Ever wondered why Pedja Stojakovic is such a good shooter? Here are the top5 reasons. Read them carefully so you might become as good as he is.

Blue Area Release Point

His release point is right where it should be. It may appear a bit different because it is a little more up on his head than out compared to a normal jump shooter. This, however, makes it very difficult for the defender to get a piece of his shot. He releases the shot right where he should — at the top of his jump. The guide hand is releasing and the shooting hand is coming through with the ball on his fingertips. The last two fingers touching the ball are the index and middle fingers — just the way you want it.

Green Area Guide Hand

His guide hand seems a bit too close to the front of the ball. But the way the ball rests a little farther back on his head, he may find greater control of the ball with his guide hand in that position instead of more on the side. He has a very soft grip, which properly allows for control of the ball to rest in the shooting hand.

Red area Shooting Hand

He has a soft fingertip grip, and his hand is firmly behind the ball. His elbow is a little farther out than you would see on the textbook shot, and the ball rests a little farther back (in relation to) his head. He has a great bend in his elbow — closer to a "V" position than an "L," which helps add distance to his range

Yellow area Body Position

He fades away on more shots than most outside shooters. It sometimes can be an almost natural fade because he often doesn't start with his feet square to the basket. The way he starts with his elbow out enables him to come straight through on his shot, even if he is fading away. He has a quick flick of the wrist at the end of the shot that provides a nice follow-through

Purple Area The Wrapup

He gets his shot off very quickly and is very consistent with his release. His shot is so difficult to block because of the way the ball rests a little farther back on his head, because he fades away so often and because his release point always is at the top of his shot. The path of the ball consistently is straight toward the rim; rarely will you see him miss right or left. When he misses, it will usually be because the shot is long or short.

This page is none commercial and is dedicated to Predrag Stojakovic and his fans .If you think something is yours and should not belong here send me an e-mail.

©m.kucevic 2002