Difference between sky-hook, jump-hook and baby-hook?

A sky-hook is a one handed shot that involves using mostly a high-arch for the attempt. A jump-hook is when a player concentrates on swinging one hand into the motion for a hook shot, but no arch is involved. A baby-hook is a shot that is less concentrated and may come as a more hurried shot than a jump-hook or sky-hook.

 

The sky hook is done off of one leg. It's usually done on the move after a couple of steps, or on a pivot.

The jump hook is done off of two legs jumping straight up. It's often performed after a jumpstop.

The baby hook is a cross between a hook shot and a layup. Whereas the sky hook and jump hook will have the shoulders pretty much perpindicular to the basket, for the baby hook, the body is turned more towards the basket.

Edit: Bill Walton wrote a fantastic article about the creation of the Jump-Hook:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2003/story?id=1549466

 

that would be a jump hook, i really cant think of anyone in todays game that does a sky hook to perfection the way kareem and magic did. most players in todays game have a variation of the jump hook

 

That's definitely a jump hook. He's going up off two legs, and it definitely looks like he's jumping straight up. I think that's Yao's best hook shot. He occasionally tries going across the lane with these big sweeping sky hooks and they never seem to go in. But some of his jump hooks in the key have been absolutely money.

 

The baby hook, coined by Magic, was a mini-version of Kareem's sky hook.

 

I think,
1) The Sky-hook, a.k.a. Kareem's, is defined by the sweeping motion of the arm, starting from around the hip, making a smooth, continuous semi circle with arm extended and release the ball at the top of the head with the arm still moving toward the basket.

2) The Baby-hook, like Majic's, is basically a baby sky hook because the motion is not as exaggerated and the arch does not reach the same height.

3) The jump hook, is a jump shot released behind the head. You would not see the sweeping, extending shooting arm. Just like a jump shot, the shooter raises the ball from the hip up to above the head with arm/ elbow close to the body and then flicks the wrist to release the ball. The arm normally stays straight up and not swing forward from the release point.

 

Ewing used to have that sweeping hook that was a mix of the jump & sky hook. It was on the move & off of one foot, but not really arched; nor did it have range outside of 10 feet or so.

 

What made Kareem's "Sky Hook" so impressive was how far away he could hit that shot from.

 

It sure was impressive!
With the jump shot, you have the ball in front of you and you can eyeball the distance and the angle.

I don't know how he measured that sky-hook, especially the one from the baseline, 15ft out!

 

I think Dream had one of the most dominant jump hooks ever. It was so easy for him to use it cuz his baseline turnaround was equally as good. The defender never knew which one he would use cuz the dream shake could go either way...

UNBEATABLE!

 

Meadowlark Lemon had the best and longest hook-shot I've ever seen. He could hit from nearly half-court.

 

in todays era of zone defenses i think its almost impossible to pull off the sky hook consistently in the lane. it would have to be from the baseline. kareem was effective in his hook because he would start the motion before the double team occured or going opposite from the double man. with yao seeing doubles many times before getting the ball it would be difficult to do so a much i find improving his jump hook which is a more explosive shot is better suited in todays game. granted the sky hook is more graceful and much harder to block but i cant see it being used consistently the way teams play defense now

 

Don't forget about Kevin Willis's jumphook. It was his main weapon that kept him in the NBA all these years.

With those stubby arms, that was his only choice.