ok thanks Mr.Haefner I just needed to find a way to get more backspin.

Great advice Joe.... I've been trying to answer his questions and give him some good information...

This is what I said a few posts earlier:

"Now, with all this stuf being thrown at you... get comfortable with a good form and please don't drive yourself nuts over all this info...
make sure you have good form and then go out and practice it"....

Like you say... "go shoot the dang ball!"

And above all... HAVE FUN.

Yeah. And you've been giving great advice, Ken!

I was afraid that I was overloading him with info.. but as long as he was is asking I will try to help him out.. he seems to be very mature for his age..... and really wants to get better and succeed. I do enjoy helping you Ben, so as long as you ask I will try to answer you or find the information you are looking for.


Maybe too smart LOL :-) Just kidding Ben. ( I only wish I was that smart at your age ) Keep shooting and relax a little bit.... have fun.

I'm glad you added to the conversation Joe... he needs to hear from someone else other than me... I do enjoy trying to help him... I worked with guys his age for `13 years and I enjoyed that a lot.. I moved to the high school level so I could grow as a coach.

You should of seen me today. I was making everything( a little over exaggerated). I had backspin on almost every single shot. I usually shoot 10 free throws at the end of each shootaround. My goal is 7 out of 10 but today I went 9 for 10. I did the BEEF check and made 50 form shots. I think my shot is finally clicking. Good balance, good form, good followthrough, good arc and good backspin.

Things are beginning to pay off for you - keep up the good work!!
I'm proud of you Ben, you know what you want and are willing to work for it..... I bet you are one happy camper tonight.

You had one of those days where you were in a "zone" - and that comes from a lot of practice and you paying attention to details. Remember that some days you cant hit the ocean from the shore... but if you practice a lot.. you will be just fine.

All that stuff we have talked about - pick out what is helping you and forget about the rest. And to think that this all started with you wanting to Finish and get fouled like Monta Ellis. :-)

A couple of short stories... I had some kids that would come in during the summer and shoot around for an hour or so... as partners... there shots were great and consistent... we had one kid that came in every day during the summer and shoot 1,000 free throws.... EVERY DAY. You know who had the ball in his hands at the end of games... he was like automatic - 90+ % in the fourth quarter when the games were on the line. So, hard work does pay off... and these kids were seniors... you're a 7th grader with this work ethic.

Everyone should work as hard as you are... want to make it more interesting and more fun..... find someone to partner up with that has the same goals that you do. AND, if you can find some games with older guys that will let you play with them... you will get better.

Thanks a lot. I have to owe a lot of it to you. You have given me so much information about shooting, ballhandling, well pretty much every thing in basketball.

Merry Christmas!!!
Ben

Your welcome ..... thanks for saying that... makes it all worth while! I get to see you grow as a person and a basketball player via this site.... I enjoy giving back to the sport that was so good to me.... especially to guys that appreciate it.

Merry Christmas to you too Ben, I hope you have a great day.

Ken

I forgot to mention that I was remembering to put my hand into the cookie jar.

Don't forget to grab me a chocolate chip! :-)

It must all be coming together now for you.... and thats great!