When I shoot upwards and i am close to the basket i get good backspin but when i get farther out 12"- to 3 point land i get no spin.

You say that you can shoot the three? From what you are describing that might be telling me that when you get out there - you are getting to the end of your comfort zone.... what do you think? ( no offense meant Ben )

Start close and work your way back.... when you get to that point - 12' and there isn't much back spin... check your form. See what is changing to stop or limit the spin.

Ken

Go out and shoot and I will check back with you later... off to see a game.

Ken

PS... don't forget to work on that KILLER cross over move :-)

The three is probably my limit but i dont take a lot. In the 2nd half of games the teams go into a zone so we need a person to shoot the three so we can keep the other team honest.

About the backspin, Have you seen anything about if youre hand is small that affects backspin.

I crossed somebody up last game. Almost broke their ankles.

Ok, just keep working on the form... did you try what I said about working against the wall to see how the spin looks with the flat hand or the flip yet?

IF you have to shoot the three I can understand.. just try to keep your form good..... would have loved to see that crossover move with the guy on the ground. :-) You had to be smiling inside.

I haven't found anything about the size of the hand affecting the shot... but, guess what... it is what it is, so you have to deal with it... it will only make you stronger.

Here is something that you can do to make your hands stronger... take the ball and slap it as hard as you can alternating hands... try to squeeze the ball as hard as you can as if you were trying to palm it..... and then there are those hand squeezers that you can use....where you squeeze two handles together... that will make your hands and forearms stronger.

Ken

When you against the wall you mean shooting off the wall right.
But when I did shoot I did get more spin now up to 15 ft. Still working on it though. Ive decide what was goig to work was pushing the ball but putting a little bit more wrist action in it. That worked the best.

I didnt make the guy fall but he was about to totally bit the crossover.

Still a sweet move Ben! A point guard with a great crossover is very dangerous with the ball...

Yes, I meant to shoot it off the wall, that allows you to work on form without worrying about scoring. You can check which way gives you the most back spin that way.

I would like to call "pushing" the ball 'going in to your release'.... remember to use your legs in your shot... a lot of your strength comes from the legs. I think that the more you practice this the more comfortable it will get ... and your range will improve. Shoot a lot within your comfort zone and then work your way out a little at a time.

As you grow and become stronger the distance will be easier.... so don't mess up your form for the sake of distance. I would hate to see you ruin your game.

Merry Christmas, I hope Santa is good to you.

Ken

Ken

Ben,

Here is something that I found that might be of interest to you... IF I am giving you to much to think about ... just le me know ok? I don't want to overwhelm you with information.

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

Good luck and I hope that this doesn't mess you up.

Ken

When I do this drill I dont need to go so far out right stay in a little bit.

I would start this way if I were you...

Set the chair six feet in front of the basket.

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.

They suggest making five in a row before you move back...and I would suggest you moving back three feet at a time... making five in a row before you move back another three feet... keep this up until you get to just behind the arc. (so it would look like this... 6 - 9 - 12 - 15 - 18 -21 feet.

I hope this is clear.

Ken