Granny Shot

Granny shot is an underhand method of shooting a basketball. The player will hold the basketball with both of their hands in front of their body, and with their arms extended. Then the player will raise the ball, making sure to keep their arms extended, and will release the ball before it comes up level with their chest.

The term “granny shot” is often used as an insult and the shot is used by someone who has little basketball skill. To shoot the ball with a granny shot implies that a person would shoot the ball like their grandmother would, who is weak and has little skill.

During his playing career throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Hall of Fame player Rick Barry used the granny shot to help him shoot free throws. The method was effective and accurate; he retired with a lifetime free throw percentage of 90 percent, which at one point was the highest percentage in NBA history.

Examples of how Granny Shot is used in commentary: Jones has never played a day of basketball in his life, and is evident by his granny shot technique.