If you’ve ever studied Steph Curry’s shooting form, you might have noticed that his guide-hand thumb moves slightly when he shoots. Many young players and even some coaches assume that this “thumb-flick” is a key part of his shot — and try to copy it.
But here’s the truth: What you think is a thumb-flick isn’t what’s actually happening. When young players try to imitate Curry’s shooting form, they often end up pushing with their entire guide-hand arm, causing serious mechanical problems. Let’s break down why this happens, how much force is really involved, and why copying Curry’s motion can ruin your shooting consistency.
What Steph Curry Is Actually Doing
Steph Curry’s shooting mechanics are world-class because of his unique combination of skill, control, and strength. While his guide-hand thumb does move slightly, it’s not applying much force at all — in fact, studies of thumb grip strength suggest his thumb might contribute less than 5% of the total force during his shot. The shooting force comes from his dominant hand and arm — not his guide-hand thumb.
Biomechanics Insight:
- Steph’s Guide Hand Contribution: ~30 N (6.7 lbs) from the thumb if he were applying maximum force (likely much less).
- Steph’s Shooting Hand & Arm Contribution: ~500-700 N (112-157 lbs) of force generated from the shooting arm (shoulder, elbow, and wrist).
Conclusion: His guide hand thumb contributes ~5% or less of the total shot force. This means his shooting hand remains fully aligned toward the target, with no need to compensate for the guide hand.
What Young Players Are Actually Doing
Here’s where the problem starts for young players trying to copy Curry’s thumb-flick: You’re not just using your thumb — you’re pushing with your entire guide-hand arm.
Young players often lack the shooting-arm strength needed to generate enough power, so they instinctively push the ball with their guide-hand arm. This happens because they believe they’re “flicking” the ball like Curry when, in reality, they’re pushing sideways with their whole arm.
Force Comparison: Young Player vs. Professional Shooter
| Player Type | Guide Hand Force | Shooting Hand Compensatory Force | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steph Curry (Minimal Thumb Flick) | ~30 N (6.7 lbs)** (thumb only) | Minimal adjustment needed | Straight, accurate shot |
| 12-Year-Old (Entire Arm Push) | ~150-200 N (33-45 lbs) | Significant lateral force required | Off-line shot, side-spin |
Key Insight:
If your guide hand pushes 150-200 N of force (roughly 30-40% of the total force), your shooting hand must push equally hard in the opposite direction just to keep the ball on target. This creates a tug-of-war effect that often results in side-spin, inaccurate shots, and inconsistent mechanics.
The Real Problem: Guide-Hand Force Creates Shooting-Hand Compensations
When the guide hand applies significant force, the shooting hand has to push just as hard in the opposite direction to compensate. But here’s the problem:
- Guide-Hand Push (Right for Right-Handed Shooters): The guide hand pushes the ball to the right.
- Shooting-Hand Compensation (Left): The shooting hand pushes the ball to the left to balance the force.
The result?
- Side-Spin: Because the two forces aren’t perfectly aligned, the ball spins sideways instead of backward.
- Off-Line Shots: If the forces aren’t equal, the ball veers left or right.
- Inconsistent Mechanics: Each shot becomes unpredictable because of these unnecessary force adjustments.
Why Curry’s Shot Works (and a young player's might not...)
Curry doesn’t need to compensate nearly as much for his guide-hand thumb because it only applies a tiny amount of force. His shooting hand can stay almost directly under the middle of the ball, ensuring a straight shot with consistent backspin.
If you’re pushing with your entire guide-hand arm, you’re adding unnecessary force that throws your shot off-line. The more force you apply with your guide hand, the more your shooting hand has to also push off line — and the less consistent your shot becomes.
Final Thought: Don’t Copy the Pros Without Understanding the Details
Steph Curry’s shot works because he has exceptional control, strength, and precision. His “thumb-flick” is a tiny mechanical adjustment that contributes less than 5% of the force in his shot. But when young players try to copy it or justify that they can have a thumb-flick because Steph has a thumb-flick, they often end up pushing the ball sideways with their entire guide hand — forcing their shooting hand even more out of position just to keep the ball on target.
The next time you think you’re flicking the ball like Steph Curry, remember this: You’re probably doing something very different — and it’s hurting your shot. You probably won’t be able to CHANGE to a different shooting form, but you can slowly evolve towards it as you get stronger and more experienced. Focus on building strength, eliminating unnecessary guide-hand force, and keeping your shooting mechanics aligned and consistent.
