Quantity or quality?

It's an age-old question in many domains. When it comes to shooting the basketball, it's a matter of some debate.

The truth is, both matter.

Quantity builds habits. And good shooters have good habits. There is not one exact formula or technique that all good shooters have. But good shooters are consistent in their habits.

That consistency is built by getting thousands of repetitions.

Quality is just as important. Taking shots that are more representative of the game helps translate practice to games.

A 5 Minute Finisher is a great way to end your shooting workouts with quality shots.

It will tax you physically and mentally. In doing so, it will make you a better and more confident shooter!

How To Create Your 5 Minute Finisher

The goals of a 5 Minute Finisher are two-fold:

• A variety of game shots
• Improved conditioning

How you go about achieving that is up to you. Think about the shots you take in games. Think about the shots you want to get better at. See if you can add a conditioning element. Get to work!

I would suggest creating a menu of shots. Then, at the end of a workout, choose 5 for that day. Perform each shot for 1:00, then move immediately to the next set of shots. When the 5 minutes are up, write down how many you made that day. Track your makes over time.

Even better, shoot 5 free throws when you finish. Add each make to your score. This allows you to practice free throws when fatigued.

A Starter Menu

There are endless possibilities for a 5 Minute Finisher. Here are some of my favorites. Feel free to take them and build out your own menu!

• Transition 3's - start at half court. Run into the wing and receive a pass for a catch and shoot 3. Sprint back to half court and repeat. After :30, switch sides.

• 1v1 Attacks - start at half court. Dribble at the top of the key at full speed. Make a 1v1 move at the top of the key and shoot a jump shot somewhere in the free throw line area. Sprint back to half court and repeat.

• Rips to Pullups - start on the wing. Receive a pass from under the rim and rip right to a one-dribble pullup. On the next rep, rip left for a one-dribble pullup. Continue for :30 and then switch sides.

• Slide to Curl - start under the rim. Defensive slide to the corner. When you reach the corner, sprint in on a curl to the elbow. Receive a pass and shoot.
  
  Run back to the rim and repeat on the other side. Continue for 1:00.

• Closeout to Fade - start under the rim. Closeout to an imaginary offensive player on the wing. When you get to the wing, immediately execute a fade cut to the corner. Receive a pass for a corner 3.
  
  Run back to the rim and repeat on the other side. Continue for 1:00.

• Weak Hand Finishes - start behind the 3-point line. Make a 1v1 move and attack the rim. Execute a finish with your weak hand.
  
  Dribble back to the closest spot on the 3-point line and repeat for 1:00.

• Catch and Shoot 3's - catch and shoot for 1:00. You must move a little bit between each shot.
  
  I like this for the last minute because you will be tired. It's a great way to force yourself to focus when fatigued.

That's 7 menu options right there. Use your imagination and come up with more that meet your needs.

In terms of total makes, I've found 30 to be a good goal (including the 5 free throws). Over time, see if you can bump up your makes.

Maximum Results In Minimum Time

5 minutes is not a lot of time. But it is enough time to become a better shooter!

These mini-sessions are especially effective at this time of year. With practice starting, you may not have as much time for skill development. But you do have 5 minutes!

Use 5 Minute Finishers at the end of your workouts. You'll get in better shape as you become a better shooter.

That makes it more likely that you'll be ready to knock down shots in crunch time next season!

If you're looking for other tools to help you become a knockdown shooter, check out:

• The Breakthrough Basketball Shooting & Scoring System - shooting is the most important skill in basketball. It also might be the hardest to teach. In this product, Coach Jim Huber takes players through an encompassing program that covers the in & outs of shooting. He starts with form and then progresses players through increasingly higher levels of difficulty. After learning how to catch and shoot, players are taught how to shoot off the move & the catch.
• 27 Day Shooting System - Coach Paris Davis gives players a 4-week shot tutorial in this product. For some, it could be a great way to teach them the proper way to shoot. For others, it could be a good way to makeover good habits. No matter, a month of concentrated work with this product will greatly improve any player's shot.

What do you think? Let us know by leaving your comments, suggestions, and questions...

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