I thought I would post something that I have been doing with my kids when we practice shooting. When we practice jump shots I have changed there mental thinking of a miss as a failure by telling them they were fouled each time they miss, that's why they missed and put them on the free throw line to shoot 2 shots, then back to jump shots and each time they miss I call out foul then they shoot 2 free throws. This is fun for them and also changes the way they think of misses it turns it into a success rather then a failure.

I always say, go with what works for you... before we ever did any shooting drills we shot free throws first.. just to get the stroke down.... works on muscle memory.. Just a thought.

We never talked about failure when we missed shots.. if they don't drop, they don't drop..... no one tries to miss.

don't misunderstand coach we don't talk of failure either, BUT kids expect to hit shots and when you are teaching form any mental edge we as coaches can get to get them to buy into getting away from the 2 handed volleyball set shot to shooting with proper form and accepting the idea that at first you may miss more then you did your way but in the long run you will hit many more, I just thought I would share the little thing that works for me. Thanks for weighing in.

If your kids form is not good.... go to form shooting (we called BEEF check) and work your way back.... this usually works... it gives them confidence in their shot while they are working on form..... and IF what you are doing is working for you, by all means... go for it.

More than one way to skin a cat.

I designed a shooting drill that the kids really enjoyed. We had four shooting positions - 2 on each baseline (age appropriate range), and 2 bank shots. Two players volunteer to rebound. The players have one minute to shoot at one spot and move on to the next one, calling for the ball from the rebounders.

What I found is that for one, kids love competition. Second, they also like the pressure of a time limit as well as basketballs coming from different directions. They quickly develop a strategy of not rushing the shot, but being quick (John Wooden), as well as call for the ball. We'd end up running this drill for about 3-4 times.

This drill really doesn't address technique or form, but they still learn a great deal about scoring under pressure.