BASIC SHOOTING SKILLS - ROLE OF THE OFF-HAND (MALE). Coach Cedric Carter shows the role of the guide or “off” hand when shooting the basketball. You want to be down in your athletic stance, ball placed in your shooting hand fingers, not resting on your palm. Place your guide hand next to the ball, but do not touch the ball. Keep your guide hand open and flat. While you are shooting, you want to ensure that your guide hand is also going up in the air as well. As you continue to shoot, make sure your guide hand is up in the air next to your shooting hand after you release the basketball for your shot.