If you walked into a high-level shooting clinic ten years ago and tried to mimic the LaMelo Ball shooting form, the coach would probably kick you out of the gym. Seriously. It’s got everything the "textbook" says not to do. The set point is dangerously low. His elbows flare out like he's trying to fly. Both thumbs seem to have a mind of their own during the release.
But then the ball goes in. A lot.
LaMelo isn’t just some flashy passer who happens to throw up prayers; he’s a legitimate perimeter threat who forces defenses to pick him up from 30 feet out. Since he entered the league, people have obsessed over his mechanics. They call it "broken." They call it "ugly." Yet, the numbers tell a story of a guy who has shot roughly 37% from deep on massive volume during his healthy stretches. You don't do that by accident.
The Low Set Point and Lightning Release
The most jarring thing about watching LaMelo shoot is where the ball starts. Most NBA shooters, think Klay Thompson or even Devin Booker, bring the ball up to an "L" shape near their forehead. LaMelo? He shoots from his chest.
This is what we call a "low set point." It’s a relic of being the youngest brother playing against older, stronger kids. When you're a 13-year-old skinny kid trying to launch a ball at a ten-foot rim from the volleyball line at Chino Hills High, you need leverage. You can’t use a high release because you don't have the triceps for it yet. So, you use your whole body. You dip the ball, generate power from the floor, and catapult it.
Honestly, it’s a miracle of physics.
While a low release is easier to block, LaMelo compensates with sheer speed. Because the ball doesn't have to travel all the way up to his brow, it’s out of his hands before the defender can even process the shot. He’s basically a human slingshot. If you give him six inches of space, the ball is gone.
The "Two-Handed" Illusion
If you freeze-frame LaMelo’s release, it looks like he’s using both hands to push the ball. In traditional shooting theory, your off-hand (the left hand for Melo) is just a guide. It stays on the side, then peels away.
LaMelo’s guide hand lingers.
It almost looks like a chest pass aimed at the rim. This "thumb flick" is a massive no-no in shooting schools because it's supposed to add unwanted rotation or side-spin. Somehow, he manages to keep the flight path straight. He’s mastered a way to use that extra force from the left thumb to add range without sacrificing accuracy. It's weird. It's unique. It's purely LaMelo.
Why the Footwork Matters More Than the Arms
We spend so much time looking at his hands that we miss what his feet are doing. LaMelo is a master of the "sweep and sway."
When he shoots, his feet jump forward and his shoulders lean back. This isn't him being "extra" for the cameras; it’s a legitimate technique used by many of the world's best shooters, including Steph Curry and Damian Lillard. By leaning back, you relieve tension in the shoulders and allow the ball to have a more natural arc.
Watch him on a step-back.
He covers an insane amount of ground. His ability to go from a high-speed crossover into a balanced shooting base is elite. Most players lose their power when they step back, but because LaMelo’s form is so reliant on momentum and fluid motion, the step-back actually helps him find his rhythm. He doesn't need to be perfectly "squared" to the basket. He just needs his right hip aligned.
The reality of the NBA in 2026 is that "pretty" doesn't win games. Efficiency does.
There was a lot of talk when he was drafted about whether the Charlotte Hornets would try to "fix" him. Changing a shot that a kid has taken a million times is a dangerous game. Just look at what happened to Markelle Fultz or Lonzo Ball early in his career. Lonzo eventually overhauled his shot because he literally couldn't shoot moving to his right. LaMelo? He doesn't have that problem. He can get it off from anywhere.
The Hornets staff, led by guys who understand modern basketball, realized that messing with his natural touch would be a disaster. Instead, they’ve worked on his consistency.
The Consistency Gap
The biggest knock on the LaMelo Ball shooting form isn't the mechanics—it's the shot selection. When you can hit from 35 feet, you start thinking you should shoot from 35 feet.
Sometimes his feet aren't set. Sometimes he’s leaning too far left. When he misses, he misses badly. We call these "non-rim" misses. But when he's in a groove, the unorthodox mechanics actually become an advantage. Defenders don't know when the release is coming because he doesn't have the standard "load" phase of a jumper.
It’s all one motion.
- No hitch at the top.
- No pause in the legs.
- Just a continuous flow of energy from the hardwood to the fingertips.
Comparing the Ball Brothers
It's impossible to talk about Melo without mentioning Lonzo. Lonzo’s original shot was a catastrophe. He brought the ball from his left hip across his face to his right side. It was slow and easy to time.
LaMelo’s shot is centered. Even if it’s low, it’s straight.
That’s the key difference. You can deal with a low release point, but you can’t deal with a "sideways" release point. LaMelo’s path to the basket is direct. He’s also taller—standing a legit 6'7"—which means his "low" release is still higher than most point guards' high releases.
Actionable Takeaways for Players
If you're a young player looking at LaMelo and thinking about copying him, you need to be careful. You shouldn't try to shoot like him just to look cool. You should, however, learn from the principles of his shot.
- Prioritize Fluidity Over Form: If your shot has a "stop" in the middle, you’re losing power. Work on making the move from your dip to your release one single, unbroken motion.
- Master the Footwork First: LaMelo is a great shooter because he is an elite athlete who knows how to find his balance in chaos. Spend more time on your "one-two" step and your "hop" than on your finger placement.
- Don't Fear the Sweep: Don't feel like you have to land exactly where you jumped. Letting your feet swing forward naturally can help your range.
- Range is Earned: LaMelo can shoot from the logo because he has 15 years of muscle memory. Don't move to the three-point line until you can make 80% of your free throws with ease.
The LaMelo Ball shooting form is a testament to the idea that there is no "right" way to play basketball. There is only what works and what doesn't. For a kid from Chino Hills who became an All-Star and the face of a franchise, it clearly works. He’s proven that as long as the results are there, the aesthetics don't matter.
Next time you see him launch a 30-footer that barely grazes the net, don't look at his flared elbows. Look at the confidence. That’s the most important part of the shot anyway.
Next Steps for Mastery:
To truly understand how this translates to your own game, record yourself shooting in slow motion from the side profile. Check if your "energy transfer" is a single line or if you have a "hitch" where the ball stops moving upward. If you find a hitch, focus on your "dip" and try to keep the ball moving at a constant speed until it leaves your hand, just like the one-motion flow LaMelo uses to generate his effortless range.