Questions From Subscribers...

thanks

Like

Nevin

Most importantly, don't over analyze or over think your shot. When you get the chance, shoot it - don't think it.

Not having seen you shoot, I really can't evaluate your shot but here are some things that might help.

The problem is probably not "power" but timing and rhythm. Both are solved by repetition and proper practice.

No matter where you shoot from (short, long, off the pass, off the dribble), every shot you take should feel exactly the same. Don't try to put the ball in the basket, just shoot it as comfortably as possible.

When you practice your shooting, your objective should be 500 - 600 shots per session. If you have someone to practice with, use him as a passer, not a rebounder. I don't think it is effective practice to receive a pass from under the basket to take a shot. That was you do not get to work on catching and squaring to the basket. You don't get to work on the things you need to do to get open and get into your shot.

Use chairs in your workout. Use them as defenders, make dribble move around them to get your shot. Use them as reference point to guide where you are going to get your shots from. Use them as passers, put the ball on the chair, come at the the ball from different angles (at game speed), pick up the ball and get directly into your shot. Simulate coming off of screens, catching on the run or reversing direction, as if you are cutting to get open.

What ever you do, though, the key is still trying to shoot the ame way each time, repetition and practicing at the same speed you play at.

I would also suspect that some footwork might help you with balance but that is hard to explain, here.

Feel free to contact me if I can help you further

Don Kelbick
Contributing Editor Breakthrough Basketball
http://www.DonKelbickBasketball.com

Like

Thanks for helping me on my cuts. im getting open a lot easier ,but now im having trouble making my shot. i have good form but it seems like it always goes over the rim or 2 short. ( to much power or not enough.) wht should i do 2 help me with my power?

Like

David

In regard types of cuts, I am not really sure what you are asking. Do you mean basket cut, slash cut, fade cut, etc.? In reality, they are all the same, just in different directions.

I tell players there are 4 magic words for getting open on your cut, "inside shoulder, inside hip." (Your "inside" is the side closest to the basket or the ball when you make your cut.) When you make your cut, you should strive to get your iniside shoulder and inside hip between your defender and the ball or your defender and the basket.

In regard to cutting, the key is in the footwork and recognition of the defense. Put yourself in a position to beat your man on the cut by "selling" him you are going to do something else. For example, if you are going to try to beat your man on a basket cut, sell him on the fact that you are going to cut to the opposite wing by taking a couple of steps in that direction and the quick change, explosion and long step to get inside of the defense and cut to the basket.

To practice your cuts, set up some chairs (I use chairs for everything but cones or other things will do) and use them as refence points as to where the defense might play, and have them cut by the chair. Do it without a ball or scoring opportunity so they can concentrate on the footwork. Once you are comfortable with their cutting, you can add a ball for a shot and then eventually defense.

the key to teaching your players how to move without the ball (very difficult because it comes with experince and you have to be patient) is you and your staff, if you have one. We give our players some simple, logical rules, 1 - Basketball should not be hard, if you have to fight to get to a spot, go somewhere else. If there is defense there, go where they are not. 2 - Don't wait for the ball. If you make a cut and you don't get the ball, cut again. If you come out to the limit of your range, don't come out further, go back door. 3 - If a man dribbles at you, go back door. Those are my rules, you can use whatever you want. Once you set up these rules, set up your players in any type of organization. It can be 3 man, 4 man, 5 man sets. It can be a point and 2 wings, a top wing and a post (for 3 man) or a 2-3 set (5 man) or anything else. It really doesn't matter. Have them pass and cut, it makes no diffeence where they pass but cuts should take them to a scoring area and not destroy space. The you and your staff (or whatever help you can get, 1 or 2 additional people) and have them create "challenges." Fight the cut (go somewhere else), jump into the passing lane (go backdoor), play someone to the limit of their range and then release them (go back door), etc. The more passes they throw, the more they will move. Be sure that when they cut they are cutting to an area that they can score from and not to an area already occupied by a teammate.

Hopefully that answers at least part of your question and gives you enough to work on in the short term. Feel free to contact me when you feel you need to go further.

Don Kelbick
Contributing Editor Breakthrough Basketball
http://www.DonKelbickBasketball.com

Like