“We could not make shots today” is a common post-game summary, but it does not tell you where the team struggled. A shot chart records where attempts came from and whether they went in. This guide covers how to build one on paper or with an app, how to interpret its views and how to avoid overreading a small sample.
What a shot chart shows
A shot chart plots each attempt on a court diagram and distinguishes makes from misses. Field-goal percentage tells you what share of shots went in; a chart adds location and volume. Two players can both shoot 40% overall, but one may be missing near the basket while the other is taking difficult threes. Those patterns suggest different practice priorities.
Two ways to record one
On paper
Use a half-court diagram and mark the location of every attempt. A common system uses a circle for a make and an X for a miss, with the player’s number beside it. Paper is inexpensive and can work well when one person has time to track locations. Counting attempts by area afterward takes additional work, especially if the same person is also keeping the score.
With BoardStrategist
In BoardStrategist’s scorebook, tap the court where a made or missed two- or three-point attempt was taken. The app expects a two-point attempt inside the arc and a three-point attempt outside it, and warns when a location does not match the shot type.
Choose the recording-detail level before the game: “Simple” records player and action, “Standard” adds shot location, and “Detailed” can add shot type (such as a layup or jump shot) and drive direction inside the paint. If location recording is off, the shot still contributes to score and shooting stats but will not appear in the chart or zone totals. Use Standard or Detailed when you need location-based analysis.
Three ways to view the data
Dots: each attempt
The dot view plots shots where they were taken. Makes appear filled and misses use an X, with team colors distinguishing sides. It resembles a paper chart and helps spot clusters, such as a player taking most attempts from the right wing.
Zones: results by area
The zone view divides the half court into 14 areas and shows makes, attempts and percentage for each. It separates six three-point areas, four mid-range areas and four paint areas. Court boundaries are based on court dimensions, including the 6.75 m three-point arc, so corner threes and wing threes remain distinct. Stronger percentages use darker color, while areas with no attempts are gray.
Heat map: scan the pattern
The heat map represents each area’s make percentage with a five-color scale: below 30% red, 30s orange, 40s yellow, 50s blue and 60% or above green. Each circle also shows makes/attempts and percentage. Use color to find patterns quickly, then check the underlying counts.
Five useful reading habits
- Read attempts with percentage. A 1-for-1 area is 100%, but is a tiny sample; 8-for-20 is 40% over many more attempts. Do not treat those percentages as equally reliable. Look for patterns across several games.
- Compare expected points, not percentage alone. A 33% three-point shot yields about one point per attempt (0.33 × 3). A two-point shot needs to fall at 50% to yield one point per attempt. Shot quality and context still matter, but the value of the shot changes how to compare percentages.
- Compare where attempts happen with where makes happen. If shots cluster in a low-percentage area while a more effective area is underused, review spacing, play design and shot selection.
- Check left-right balance. An empty left corner or concentration on one side may point to a handedness pattern or predictable offense that opponents can exploit.
- Scout opponents responsibly. An opponent’s chart can help identify areas to contest. Use it alongside video, personnel and context rather than assuming that a small-sample percentage will continue.
Filter by player and game situation
BoardStrategist can show both teams, one team or one player, and filter by makes or misses, two- or three-point attempts, half, quarter or overtime, drive direction and paint attempts. These filters can reveal a second-half shooting change or a player’s results when driving left. Player heat maps are also available in player stats, and the full report can be exported as a PDF. Shot charts are included in the app’s scorebook; the source article listed this as a base feature as of September 2026. Verify current product details before relying on them.
Frequently asked questions
What is a basketball shot chart?
It records shot locations and whether each attempt was made or missed. It helps show where a team or player takes and makes shots, information that overall FG% cannot provide.
Can I make one on paper?
Yes. Plot each attempt on a half-court image, distinguish makes from misses and note the player. A dedicated recorder makes it easier to keep a chart while also tracking the game score.
When should I use zones versus a heat map?
Use zones to inspect exact makes, attempts and percentage; use the heat map to scan the pattern quickly. Find an area with color first, then check the sample size in the zone view.
What happens if I do not record shot locations?
The score and shooting statistics can still include the attempt, but it will not appear on the shot chart or in location-based totals. Enable location tracking before the game if you need those views.