Help With Shooting

Hello, I am an eighth-grade basketball player that is really finding shooting a basketball very hard. i can't shoot at all and can't even make it consistently under the rim. i don't know how i should position my arm and what is the best shooting form. i used to have a coach that was always saying like i have to have 3 right angles and elbow under the ball and not to shoot above the head and stuff. but i just feel that it's not comfortable shooting that way. i want to know how to shoot like NBA players such as Ray Allen or Kobe Bryant. but in general i just want your help on how to shoot the ball properly. Hope you can help me. also i am 6 feet and can't even touch the rim. my feet don't work well when i am playing the basketball, so i want to know how to improve my vertical. Thank you sooo much, hope you can help me.

OK Clint,

First of all don't be too hard on yourself.. your 6 feet tall and probably grew pretty fast... give your body a chance to catch up.

Lets start with your form..... ( I used this in my shooting camps )
The form I taught started with BEEF - George Lehmans method of shooting and he was a great Pro shooter.

Beef is this:
B - Balance - pretty much a boxers stance... one foot slightly in front of the other.... make sure you are comfortable
E - Elbow under the ball..... this will help to keep your shot straight... and your elbow might not be exactly under the ball but as close to it as you can
E- Eye on the target.... keep your eye on the target all the way thgough your shot until the ball goes thru the net.
F- Follow through.... HOLD the follow thru until the ball goes thru the net.

We started our younger kids standing by a wall... take one dribble with your shooting hand and bring the ball up...the ball should be just above your eye so you have a window to see the rim... as you raise the ball up to shoot your elbow should be just above your eye as you release the ball... all this is done with ONE HAND.
Once you get the form down... you can go to a basket and do the same thing... block, middle of rim and other block.... Make 3 in a row from each spot and move back to 5-6 feet and do the same..
Once you get comfortable with this - you can add your guide hand... but by now you will see thats all it is... a GUIDE hand... it has nothing to do with your shot... just to make sure that you keep control of the ball as you bring it up.... you freeze your guide hand also -

Here is something for your shooting:
http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/drills/basketball-drills-players.html#shootingdrills

But make sure you work on your form before doing any of these.

http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/articles/jumpingform.html

Here is something that might help your jumping form.... you can also do some work with a jump rope to increase foot speed.... and you can try jumping over lines with both feet just to increase quickness..... maybe 8-10 seconds at a time.
Another thing you can do is to stand on one side of the free throw lane - get in a good defensive stance and shuffle across and touch the line on the other side... 6 times back and forth staying in that stance all the time.

You can try that jumping form by touching the net for 10 seconds at a time... keep working on that trying to increase your vertical.... first goal... touching the backboard... then the rim.

Thanks a lot, Coach Sar. I would start working on it now. also i wonder if it is important to be strong while playing basketball because i am kind of thin at my age and i would sometimes miss the passes from the teammates. why is that? can you answer that please? Thank you.
Clint

Tough call Clint since I'm not there to see you play....

Being strong is good for all sports...you are only 13 and just beginning your growth spurt.. so don't panic...... you will get bigger and stronger..... missing passing can come from lack of concentration, reacting to the pass, not watching the ball into your hands or just plain weak hands.

There are a few things that you can do to make your hands stronger... one is to slap the ball with both hands for a couple of minutes .... another is to pass the ball off the wall ( standing pretty close ) as you get comfortable and are getting better at catching it... pass it harder.... keep working on that until you are really passing the ball against the wall HARD. Use the over the head pass and chest passes.

One thing I used to do with some players that had weak hands was to have him face the wall and pass the ball to him, as I released it, I would yell ball and he would have to turn around and find the ball and catch it. (not hard, just give him enough time to find and catch.
Another thing you can do is to make some BAD passes off the wall so you have to react, find the ball and catch it.

I'm sure some of the other coaches willl have some ideas too... let us know how this gooes and good luck.

Thanks Coach Sar, these are really helpful. i am practicing on it now.
Also, do you think i need to buy any basketball shooting DVDs or stuff to help me with the shooting? if yes, then can you name some of those for me? i saw the breakthroughbasketball recommended swish2 what about swish 1?i am not sure the difference and i wonder which one i should choose?

Clint,

Take a look at this... there are a lot of good products out there and "Swish" by Tom Nordland is one of those.... Jeff and Joe talk a lot about shooting here and give you a lot of tips. IF you feel that a DVD can be helpful to you... go out and buy it... How about your library, maybe they will have a DVD about shooting a basketball... maybe the Swish one? That way you can take a look and see if that is something that can be beneficial to you.

http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/pr/btshooting.html?id=17

You can talk to several coaches and each one might have a little different take on what is the right way ... What I told you about BEEF was what I taught and worked for our players.....I got that technique from George Lehman... a great shooter in his own right. You know how he sold me? We had him for a couple of shooting clinics.. and honestly, once he started the clinic he didn't miss a shot.. he was amazing.

Having the proper form is very important... more important is consistency... and you get that through a lot of shooting practice and creating muscle memory.

Find something that is comfortable for you and is successful - hopefully it will be because you mastered the proper form... then go out and practice... A LOT.

Keep us informed as to how you are progressing.... and good luck.

Our library has a lot of DVDs about basketball and only one that discusses shooting... maybe your libray will have one.

Here is something that Joe wrote... pretty interesting reading..

My Personal Experience With Tom Nordland’s Swish Method
By Joe Haefner

When I was in 9th grade, I developed into a pretty good shooter. Every shooting session, I would hit a hot streak and bury 10 to 15 three’s in a row. I think I made as many as 25 during one session.

My shot was quick, but I had a very low release. My varsity coach then asked me if I wanted to play college ball and I said, “Yes!” From that point forward, he worked with me to develop a higher release point. For some reason, things didn’t click, and I developed a hitch in my shot. I lacked the coordination between my lower body and upper body that was required to shoot a jump shot. Looking back, I wasn’t using my legs to get my shot there, I was straining too much with my upper body, and I tried to shoot at the peak of my jump rather than shooting as I was going up.

I lost my shooting touch..

By senior year, I was a total head case. I was always thinking about my shot mechanics instead of letting the shot fly. I shot 33% from the field which had dropped from 42% the previous year and 50% my sophomore year.

Now, let’s fast forward to this last year. As I was reviewing and watching some great shooting DVDs, I came across Swish 2.

I started toying with the shooting methods Tom Nordland uses in Swish 2. I hadn’t practiced or played with any consistency for about 2 years, so I was quite rusty. My girlfriend also took some interest in shooting with me and I tested out the shooting methods on her.

Here is a quick summary of what I did:

1. I developed my “Pure” shooting stroke. I practiced shooting to a partner, not at the hoop.

Swish 2 goes into great detail about the “Pure” shooting stroke and how to develop it.

2. Next, I started to incorporate my legs into the shot. I still did not shoot at a hoop.

3. I started to toy with adjusting my shooting distance with my legs while using the same stroke. Still did not shoot at a hoop. All I was trying to do is get a feel for the shot.

4. I started shooting very close (about 5 feet away) to the hoop. I gradually moved out.

Instantly, I noticed I was shooting with TOUCH! It felt good. Granted, I was shooting from 5 feet away, but it still felt great. Gradually, I started moving out. The same thing happened. I was consistently hitting nothing, but net. The shot felt good. It looked good.

After a few months of shooting with the Swish Method, I really started stroking the basketball with a nice touch. Not to mention, my girlfriend (who never played high school basketball) was becoming a pretty good shooter.

Want to know the crazy thing about it? We were only shooting once a week.

Now, remember when teaching or making shooting adjustments, it isn’t all gravy. I struggled and still struggle at times when practicing as will anybody else when first changing a shot. Most players will often miss more before they start making more. This applies to the whole “Take 2 steps backwards to take 3 steps forward” analogy meaning that you may miss more at first with your new shooting technique (2 steps backwards), but you will make more in the long-run (3 steps forward).

I’m still working on my 3-point shot after 5 to 6 months. If I had time to practice like I did in high school, this could’ve been done in a few weeks. This is just to put in perspective that you do not want to learn a new shooting method and jump straight out to 3-point land. Things just won’t work and you’ll get frustrated.

Here is what I learned from the Swish Method:

1. At any age, you could develop a GREAT shot using the Swish method with some persistence and patience. And you truly develop that “Pure” shooting touch that all of the great shooters have. When I used to miss shots, I would MISS. The ball would clang off the rim and come flying back at me or somewhere else. Now, I get a lot of shots that go in with those “shooter’s touch” bounces.

2. Now, my girlfriend shoots better than me, so I’m never teaching her anything basketball-related again.

If you like to learn more about the Swish Method, check out our review on Swish 2 or visit their website here Swish 2.

Here is the site for Swish 22

http://www.swish22.com/

Thanks Coach Sar. So perhaps I don't need a DVD yet.

Is it really that this George Lehman didn't miss a shot since the clinic started? That's cool! I hope I can be like that one day:)

But I still have a few questions on shooting. Is the rotation of the ball really important? I can't make enough rotations on the ball even though I can make some of my shots now.

And you told me a form practicing way with standing by a wall and lift the ball with one hand. But my hands are kind of small and I can't always bring the ball up one-handily. How should I do that then?

Thanks again for your help!

Clint

Hey Clint -

We had him hold two shooting clinics at our school..... and at both of them, once he got this range in practice BEFORE the clinic started he didn't miss a shot in the two hours or each camp.... 4 hours NOT a miss.... amazing guy...... and he was talking a lot while he was shooting too. Do a Google search on him and see what they have to say about him.

There are pros and cons regarding rotation of the ball... but most would say that the better rotation the softer the touch... get some shooters rolls? When you are shooting the ball and releasing it.... your hand should reach into the cookie jar ( over the rim ) that should help your rotation problem... do this against the wall too.

As for the one handed shot... one dribble, get your shooting hand under the ball and bring it up slowly.... practice that part first until you are comfortable with it, THEN go into the shot part... you will be building your shot from the ground up.... I hope this helps.... let us know.

Hi
Coach Sar, I actually did a google search on George Lehman but I don't see much about him. I just saw that he had the highest three point percentage in the ABA maybe on 1972. Can't find much.
I am currently in my school's basketball team. It's my first year in this school. I don't get much playing time. I think I am better than some of the players but I just can't get the ball during offense. I know that I have a lot to improve and I am not fast because I haven't been playing any sports until two years. Our team is going to a finals and only 12 players would be able to go. I am one of the last few players in the team that would be played, but I really want to go with them. How should I make a big difference and make my coach trust me in maybe...a few weeks? Everytime I get on the court I would do good hustle and be aggressive on defense. But i can do more than that and I can't seem to prove it right now. How can I make it to the final team? How to prove to them that I am a starter player instead of a bench warmer? Thank you so much if someone can solve the problem for me.
Clint

Tough situation Clint.... ask yourself "what does this coach look for in a player?"

Then try to do your best to impress him....... make sure that you get every loose ball you can get close to..... take as many charges as you can..... Be a shut down defender.... and REBOUND. THAT would be a great start for me as the coach.

By the way, don't worry about the size of your hand..... at 6' tall I bet they are bigger than you think..... keep working on your form..... against the wall and then from short distances... working your way out..... make sure you stay comfortable... don't be jacking up threes..... play to your strengths and enjoy yourself... have some fun, this is a game.

Here is what i think the problem is: I am the tallest player in the team. My coach is playing me as Center. But to me, i feel like i don't like this position. I like to be the person in the team that does the scoring and driving in oor take the jumper or lay-up or may be draw some fouls ... that kind of player. Like a Small Forward type of player. Cause i get ignored ALL THE TIME while playing inside and i barely get to shoot during a game. Everytime when i play a pick-up game, i always like to take the ball up court and set the play. I know that i am tall and the coach wants rebounds from me, and to be such a perimeter player i need to be quick and have good dribbling skills which i don't have right now. But i would LOVE to improve my those types of skills and I just don't like playing post and get ignored.

BTW Coach Sar i just found out that it's George LEHMANN. No wonder i couldn't find anything about him. :--)

Clint

Ok Clint,

You have to ask yourself this question - Do I really want to make this team? And IF I do, am I willing to do what the coach wants me to do? Am I willing to do whatever it takes to make the team successful?

IF I am the coach and you are my tallest player, I would have you in the post also.... and from there try to get you to do the things that will make YOU successful.
Every player is different... but right now, the coach NEEDS you at center .... Be a team player, rebound and put the ball back up and IN! Play great post defense... and IF you are the tallest player you have a advantage over the rest... use that to YOUR advantage.

EVERYBODY wants to be the point guard, the scorer, the slasher, the dunker.... but not everybody can do that. Be patient... after the season is over you can work on those skills that you are telling me that you are a little lacking in. Ballhandling, quickness and shooting.

Glad that you found G. L. online... and good luck here, let us know how its going.

Ok... Maybe I would just work on my part of the game for now. But the thing that really bothers me is that I can not get the ball. The teammates are either can't see me wide open or they just turn it over. That's the sad thing about playing inside without a great point guard. Anyways... So I guess I don't need to work on my shots so far since I am playing post? And do you have some big man tips for me? Like how to draw fouls?
Please give me some suggestions. Thank you.

Good choice Clint...

First thing you need to do is to get your defender on your back.... and then .. ASK FOR THE BALL .... yell for it if you have to. You have to really want the ball IF you expect the guards to get it to you... if the defender is pressuring you ... we used to call it SITTING ON PRESSURE... get your butt into him and DONT allow him to get around you... keep moving IF you have to... but keep him on your back....
Keep one elbow holding him back also while you ask for the ball with the other hand - staying wide... the hand you ask for the ball is the one to the side he has the ball ( I hope that is clear )
Then learn a couple of simple moves... a drop step being one of them.... drop step and go to the basket strong.... concentrate on making the shot.. IF you get fouled thats a bonus... but concentrate on scoring, let the refs call the fouls..... oh yea, and don't be afraid of contact.

Check these moves out...

http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/drills/Drop-Step.html

http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/drills/Drop-Step-Counter.html

Thanks for the tips.

However when I look at the drop step, I feel like that's traveling. Can you actually do that in a game? Get the ball and just take two steps while not running? I know in the NBA you can take two steps without dribble on the run, but I didnt know you can also just take two steps when not rung.

Also what is a staggered stance? I saw Joe mentioned it many times but I don't know what's it's like. Can you explain it to me and tell me if it's good? Thanks

Ok, watch this move, it explains it pretty well and addresses your question.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOiM_0DpfQI

As for the stance... this shows you what he means... I think? Joe ??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaVibDv4WdA