Finishing and getting fouled like Monta Ellis

Maybe by the first of the Year?

In one of the chapters he talks about the step back move. He was say ing you could get space for your shot everytime. What do you feel about that move. I ve practiced it but I'v never done it in a game. I have gotten better at it though.

You see a lot of Pros using that move... it seem to work fine for them.. and IF you can control your body doing that.. then why not?

Just remember, a little at a time. Better to be GREAT at a few things than so - so at a lot ..... Obviously you are practicing it and when you feel comfortable.. you can try it.... heck, you can always do it when you are playing your friends and when you have it down.. you can try in games... thats the nice thing about playing park / playground ball... you don't have a coach or parent telling you NOT to do this move or that move.
:-)

When I was in high school (many moons ago) I used to see a lot of lefties shooting jumpers and fading back... not sure why, but they did... didn't see many righties doing that move.

My feelings about different moves that kids use are..... IF they can score on a consistent basis, who am I to tell them NOT to do it? Consistency is the key. Remember, you don't get points for style.
:-)

I decided that my goal to score per quarter was 3 points for a total of 12 points.

Do you think that is a reasonable amount of points to score per quarter.

You play 6 minute quarters Ben?

3-4 points per quarter is certainly an attainable goal... the key is to let the shots find you and NOT force things... You might not get any good looks in one quarter and all of a sudden hit for 6-8 points.

Had an 8th grader get zip in the first quarter only to get 21 in the second.... he sat the second half because we were so far ahead.

So, for a 7th grade point guard, YES, I think that is a reasonable goal. Just don't beat yourself up if you don't attain that right away.

Good luck and I hope you are successful with that goal.

Ken

I think we actually play 7 minute quarters for eighth and 6 minutes for 6th and 7th.

Ok, 3 points in 7 minutes is not unreasonable... just take good shots.... AND - IF you can get to the free throw line, that will help YOU and the TEAM.

Be strong with the ball... have some good moves.. like that crossover. Here is something that I was thinking about... that step back move for a shot... IF you hit a couple of those (after you practice this and can do it well) they will want to recover and close out --- then you can use that crossover again - just a thought.

Another thought.... maybe your goal could be X number of GOOD SHOTS ??

So maybe I could do the step back, then the defense lunges and you crossover and blow by the defender.

Yes, but you have to get him to bite on that move first. IF you make a few shots off the step back... he will try to close out hard, then crossover and go by him.

OR, even IF you haven't made any shots off the step back.. just read the defender... he stays back, you have an open look, if he tries to recover hard... go by him.

Kind of like the change of pace - change of direction?

Coach Sars is correct about perfecting those other traits first. The main thing that Ellis does is learns to put his body between the ball and the defender. This can be worked on by driving to the hoop and having someone make contact with you as you make your layup. I wouldn't recommend focusing on it unless you are good and both right and left hand layups and is not really a priority now. Something I would look to master in the summer time between 8th grade and high school (lot more physical game).

Coach Sars one question. Does wrist cock effect backspin?

Ben,

Having your wrist cocked back will help because as you flip your wrist when shooting the ball it will create the backspin you want.

Some say that IF you have your wrist cocked back properly, you should see the wrinkles on your wrist... someone else described holding the ball properly like this...
Cock your wrist back. You should now look like you are holding a pizza. You can relate to that can't you? :-)

Something else regarding shooting..

Remember these keys when working on shooting:

1) As much as possible, simulate game conditions

2) Take shots you're most likely to face in a real game - invest more of your time developing these shots. ( I know that you are looking at a lot of different ways to improve your game and that's great - but remember.. a little at a time, you aren't going to go Pro tomorrow )

3) Always practice your shots at game speed

4) Don't keep experimenting with your shooting form.

Find what works and then develop it

5) In order to select the proper shots, get to know your range and skill - take shots you know you can make.

A lot of coaches like to define their players roles on the team, I thought about that when I was the Varsity coach and this is what I was comfortable with.

I had ONE rule: DON'T surprise me in games, don't take shots you aren't working on in practice. Take the shots you know you can make and let them find you. The only time you can break this rule is IF you have the ball in your hands and the time is running out - any shot is better than no shot.

Good insight from Coach Springer, Ben...

About lesson 2 of the scorer book ive decided Im going to start studying monta Ellis and my favorite player Steve Nash.

2 good guards, just don't let me catch you will all those tattoo's like Monta. :-)
Pick out a couple of good things from each player - but - remember this.... don't forget to be the BEST Ben that you can be.

I was never much of a player, I could shoot a little bit once I turned 16 - but I sure was the best coach that I could be. As a coach I was a little like you are as a player.. trying different things and striving to be the best that I could be. Thats how I read you.... trying to be the best Bball player that you can be.

Good luck and keep working on your game.

Ken
aka Coach Sar

Dont worry i dont think im going to get any tatoos in my lifetime :)

Good for you, my kind of guy!

Lesson 3:graduating from shooter to scorer.
-make a goal to the study the game and become a scorer.
-find multiple ways to score
-ask the question: how can I score more points answers will come.

How can I score more points?

How can I score more points?


- First of all I would say... KNOW YOUR RANGE

- Know where your shots come from and practice them at game speed.

- Work hard to get open... move without the ball

- Set GREAT screens and make yourself available - a good screener is usually open IF he will do that.

- DON'T force shots, let them come to you.

- Get yourself to the free throw line.. that does multiple things... gets you some easy points IF you make them. Gets your TEAM to the free throw line by getting the team into the bonus faster and it allows you to check your form IF you are having any difficulty with your shot in that game.

- Get every loose ball, that will give you and the team more possessions.

- You're a point guard, make your teammates better, get them good shots and that will force the defense to cover them closer... giving you more space to work with.

- Work on your passing and encourage your teammates to work on that part of their game also.... GOOD passes help make GOOD shooters... (try having your dad or friend make some bad passes to you and see what the results are...) It's pretty hard to shoot off a pass that is at your knees or ankles etc.

- Develop a few great moves with the ball that will help you to get the shots you want... crossover etc.

I'm sure there are more from the book.
ps. Are you testing me? :-)
Ken

no im not testring you. It just said ask that question and you will get answers.