SHOOTING FROM A CHAIR

Funny thing... I just got an e mail regarding shooting from a chair... see, you can teach an OLD dog new tricks. Take a look at this... its from a Basketball Newsletter. (this is their opinion)

Shooting from a chair is the single best breakdown drill for developing both 3-point shooting range and free throw shooting. The objectives of shooting from a chair include the following:

Develop confidence in 3-point shooting and free throw shooting
Foster consistency in lift­ing the ball to the basket and holding your follow-through until the ball reaches the net
Learn to focus on correcting a specific error

Center yourself both mentally and physically. Learn to center when sitting in the chair. When you are physically centered, you are in a state of readiness; your muscles relax and you breathe a little deeper and more slowly than usual. Being physically centered also involves balancing your weight evenly for the skill you will be perform­ing, which is particularly helpful for gaining power. When you are physically centered it helps you become mentally centered. When you are centered you are more alert, focused and confident. Centering allows you to raise your center of gravity and transfer your force from back to shoulders to generate full power for the shot.

Visualize a successful shot with good form before you shoot. Work for the sequential build-up of force from your back, shoulders, arm, wrist, and fingers as you shoot. Use feedback from the feel of the shot and its distance, direction, and reaction on the rim.


Correct a shooting error by using personalized key words. Say the words with confidence and rhythm from the start of your shot to release of the ball. Examples of correcting errors with suggested key words follow:

Correct a shot that is short by emphasizing the key word "through!" This triggers holding your follow-through until the ball reaches the net.
Correct a shot that is long by emphasizing the key word "up!" This triggers lifting your shooting hand up higher to put more arc on your shot.
Correct bringing the ball back or leaning back and throwing it rather than lifting it to the basket, by using the key word "front!" This triggers your head, shoulders and shooting hand going to the rim.
Correct misses to your weak-hand side of the rim, because you are lowering and shoving the ball, use the key words "high and straight!" This triggers setting the ball high and shooting straight.
Correct misses to your strong-hand side of the rim, because your elbow is out by using the key word "in!" This triggers keeping your elbow in.
Correct rotating the shooting hand sidewards causing sidespin by using the key word "straight!" This triggers starting with your shooting hand facing straight at the basket and your hand going straight on your follow-through.

Set the chair nine feet in front of the basket (two giant steps in front of the free throw line). Sit on the front edge of the chair with your shoulders front, your feet aligned with the legs of the chair and your toes straight.
Start with your shooting hand facing the front of the rim while keeping your elbow in as far as your flexibility allows. Your shooting hand is above your shoulder between your ear and shoulder. Important note: Use your non-shooting hand to place the ball in your shooting hand. Do not reach for the ball with your shooting hand. The index finger of your shooting hand should be at the ball's midpoint. Check that your forearm is at a right angle to the floor and that it forms an L with your upper arm. This position helps you lift the ball to the basket rather than lower it or throw it.
After making five consecutive shots 9 feet from the backboard, move the chair back until you are 12 feet from the backboard. If you begin to strain when you increase the distance, use a sequential buildup of force using the key words "back-front-through!" The word "back" triggers lifting your back muscles toward the rim. The word "front" triggers your shoulders going toward the rim. The word "through!" triggers a complete follow-through until the ball reaches the net.
After making five consecutive shots from 12 feet, move the chair back until you are 15 feet from the backboard (free throw distance). After making five consecutive shots 15 feet from the backboard (free throw distance), move the chair back until you are 18 feet from the backboard. After making five consecutive shots from 18 feet, move the chair back until you are 21 feet from the backboard (or 3-pt. distance).

To see a video of this drill visit:
http://www.coachwissel.com/basketball-video-clips/shooting/shooting-from-a-chair-drill.html

does this really help in improving your shot, because, i need to increase my range more

Watch the video and decide for yourself if you think this is going to help.... the guy that made the video is sold on it. Who am I to say?

whenever I'm practicing my shooting, should i only focus on my form during form shots, or even when i shoot normal shots.

I would say that you should concentrate on your form until you know its right and consistent.... but when you are in games its hard to think about form... it has to become natural... like muscle memory.

When the form is good you can feel it.. like being in a zone.... and when you are having problems with the shot... get to the free throw line and then you concentrate on your form again.

when i practice myself, after doing my form shooting, when i shoot around and think about my form i don't shoot that well, but when i just shoot and focus on my target, I barely miss

I also now record how many shots i miss and make during my practice

Now you're talking.... its not about thinking about your form.... its all about developing it... you can think about it when you are form shooting... getting the muscle memory thing going.... When you are shooting.. then its time to shoot and see what you have learned.

Recording your shots taken... makes and misses is a good start.. now make yourself a goal.... how many days have you been doing this? Take your best number and increase it by a few makes and then go after it... keep increasing your goal once you achieve the one you just made.

i did it for 3 days straight now and everyday my % has improved

If its working for you keep it up.... why ruin a good thing... have you tried the CHAIR SHOOTING yet? Or is this what you were talking about?

Look for small improvements and before you know it, you will be a good shooter.... once you get all this form stuff down... then you have to work at shooting at game speed. Because no one is going to allow a good shooter to sit out there and just bury them... they will be pressuring you and getting a hand in your face IF they can.

Thats where good ball handling comes in to play... like having a coupld of good moves to get yourself open.. a great crossover and a couple of other moves to make you a better player.

Ken