I coach a 7-8 grade travel team and my point guard does not shoot the ball. He has really good handles , rarely turns the ball over, can get in the paint and also has a decent mid-range and 3 point shot. The problem is that when it comes time for the game he refuses to shoot the basketball as I believe it is fear of failure. On average he will shoot once or twice a game and usually makes one. He consistently sets up his teammates for open looks with his penetration but rarely looks for his own shot.I have suggested to take floaters or pull ups in the lane as I think he is afraid of getting his shot blocked and humiliated. As a coach it is totally frustrating as I know he can score because he does so in games in our local House League where he is the best player on the floor . I have tried to get it across to him that a PG needs to score the basketball at certain times of a game and if he refuses to shoot he is hurting the team. It would be hard to threaten playing time because he does have such a positive impact when he is on the floor. I am open to any and all suggestions.

Make sure he understands the true expectations. You are saying that he might be afraid of getting his shot blocked. You are also saying that you need him to score the basketball. While I'm sure that you don't expect him to make every single shot he takes, he might not understand that.

Have a talk with him and explain that the team needs him to start taking more shots and explain to him the difference between a good shot and a bad shot. Each player has a different description of good shots vs bad shots depending on skill level. My basic definition of a good shot is an open look that is within your range and you are capable of making.

I had a player this year get a little gun shy because I got on her about how we could be a much more dangerous team if she were a little more aggressive offensively in looking for her shot. I came to realize that she might have beeb thinking she was expected to make every shot. I explained to her that I don't expect her to make every shot and I started openly praising her whenever she took a good shot and was aggressive, whether she made the shot or not.

Is it possible that someone has said somethig to him about shooting too much in the house league?

Why don't you set up a play where HE is the first option.... or maybe the only option?? Obiously in the travel team he is lacking a little confidence.. it just might take some time for him to mature a little bit to be the player / shooter you think he should be.

Why don't you sit down with him and discuss this... ask him why he is NOT shooting. Michael Jordon missed a lot of shots in his career... made a bunch too LOL See if he will tell you what the problem is.

If he is setting up his teammates and your team is being successful, I wouldn't let it bother me.

Here is a little game you can play...... 4 on 4 or 5 on 5.... game is to ONE more than the number of players you have on the floor. EVERYONE must score before anyone can make the final shot. Fun for the kids, and he will HAVE to shoot the ball.

Not all, but most of the time I've experienced this, someone has given the player a hard time about missing shots, so they don't shoot.

One suggestion, if you're willing to spend 45 minutes sometime with this kid one on one, make him shoot. Pick 5 spots on the floor like a Round The World type set up. Closer in for the first 5, a bit further for the second 5, and 3 pointers for the 3rd 5. He has to shoot 15 shots from each spot and end on a make before moving to the next spot. You have two balls, he shoots you toss another and shag the rebound. Keep it moving. Trust me, it's a great drill to get anyone's shot in a groove, unless their form is wildly incorrect. His arms will be tired at the end, but his confidence should be up there. Tell him you need at least 10 shots from him in the next game miss or make. You don't care. When the game is over, praise him either way, miss or make.

I'd make a big deal of it in practice. If he doesn't take a shot and should, get on him. Next time he takes a shot, miss or make, praise the heck out of him. When he moves up to high school, coaches will go nuts if he has a wide open shot and doesn't take it. You almost have to over do it for a bit here to get him taking shots.

[quote="Coach Rob"]One suggestion, if you're willing to spend 45 minutes sometime with this kid one on one, make him shoot. Pick 5 spots on the floor like a Round The World type set up. Closer in for the first 5, a bit further for the second 5, and 3 pointers for the 3rd 5. He has to shoot 15 shots from each spot and end on a make before moving to the next shot. You have two balls, he shoots you toss another and shag the rebound. Keep it moving. Trust me, it's a great drill to get anyone's shot in a groove, unless their form is wildly incorrect. His arms will be tired at the end, but his confidence should be up there. Tell him you need at least 10 shots from him in the next game miss or make. You don't care. When the game is over, praise him either way, miss or make. [/quote

Coach Ro

Love the idea, lets take it one step further.... have a shooting contest with everyone doing that.... maybe have it timed? Just a thought,.

Thanks for the insight and those creative ideas. I have done a lot of talking to him and have expressed a ton of confidence in him and have encouraged him to take open looks but I believe that fear of failure has a certain grip on him come tip off. I will try some of these ideas and keep my fingers crossed.

Shooting is a strange phenom in youth basketball, it's the only skill that seems to get the crowd going. Take note the next time you're in a game and listen to the crowd cheer every time a shot is made. That reinforces to the players that made shots get cheers. A little bit of pressure there.

If my kids are hucking up non athletic shots, we talk. However, I try hard to reinforce missed good shots. I want them to know they took a good shot even though they missed. I'm telling them their decision to take the shot and the shot itself were both good, even though they missed. The crowd's not going to do that.

Let us know if you make progress.