Too Many BIG Men Can't Score in the Post

Having a dominant player in the post is a critical asset for ANY team if they want to be successful.  So many big men in the game don't have good footwork in the paint nor are they a major threat within 8 feet of the basket. Yes, I said 8 feet.

Don't rely on size. 
Too often tall players rely only on their size in high school and then when they get to college, they find that there are a ton of tall people that simply won't allow them to "dunk" whenever they like. Not having the shooting skills nor footwork to get open IMMEDIATELY puts that player at least TWO YEARS BEHIND. In the mean time, coaches are forced to check out the JC ranks to help their program.

What to do?
1.  Videotape your game. Then videotape good college players that can score in the post and analyze their game. Replay the video in slow motion so see EXACTLY how they get open. Don't be afraid to be critical of YOUR game. A humble attitude is an athlete's BEST trait.

2. Work on your shooting mechanics. NEVER DROP THE BALL BELOW THE CHEST as you practice.

3. Shoot at game speed.

4. MAKE 5 in a ROW doing the SAME shot from the SAME distance. That will FORCE you to be consistent.

Questions? Never hesitate to contact Ryan or Jay.

Shooting Accuracy: The SMALL Stuff is VERY Important

The longer the shot, the more attention is needed for proper mechanics.  Here's a good example of how a small mistake turns into a large mistake.

Roll a basketball along a line on the gym floor. If it is off line just a little, the farther it gets from the starting point, the farther it deviates from the line.

It's the same with shooting. If the ball is released just slightly off line with the center of the basket, the longer it is in the air, the more it will be off line. When you consider that the margin of error left and right is only 4.5 inches, it is easy to understand the importance of a perfect release.

With that in mind, practice often by focusing on the index finger while modeling the shot - while watching TV, in the lunch line, anywhere - and while shooting air shots. When focusing on the index finger, THINK about moving both the index and middle fingers together. Why not focus on both the index and the middle fingers? It's impossible. THINKING will make both work as one. 

"Don't Change Basketball Shooting Form During the Season"
True  or  False

ANSWER? False. 

Here's a good rule to follow concerning basketball shooting form - "SUCCESS determines CHANGE".  If the ball is going in at a high rate - from the field at 48% from 2pt distance, 45% from 3pt distance, and 85% from the FT line - then change isn't necessary. 

I often hear coaches say, "we address all form problems after the season is over". That doesn't make sense for the individual who wants to score be but is told not to shoot because his or her skill level is too poor.  Scoring makes a player work even harder at all aspects of the game.

Have you ever heard a coach tell a player the following: 
"If you get a rebound in the lane, you can put it up. But anything outside the paint, dish it back out." 

What is really being said is, "your skills are so bad that I don't want you shooting the ball". That player is not stupid. They understand their problem. So tell me - why can't that player change their mechanics during the season?  They have absolutely nothing to lose!That's why I designed my Star Shooter Program so ANYONE can improve their shooting technique - without the help of a coach.

Early in my career as a Physical Education teacher, there was a study done on determining what causes kids to participate in a particular sport.  The #1 reason was quite obvious. Success.  Kids like to do those things they are good at. Therefore, to get kids to be more active, teach the mechanics of “activity” – throwing, catching, kicking, leverage, etc.

I used this information with our four sons.  Each was taught the mechanics of the skills involved in the various sports they liked. ( I didn’t force them into a sport.) Although NOT blessed with great talent, what I noticed as they played with kids with more natural ability was that they were able to be successful. No, they didn’t win every contest, but, they were able to “enjoy” competing because they had an advantage.

Mechanics – Mechanics – Mechanics

TODAY, only one thing has changed.  I have a helper - Ryan. Ask him how much mechanics helped his shot. Ryan@starshooter.net  That’s why we do what we do.  As a coach or an athlete, improving mechanics is the key to success.

Simple Tip That Improves Mechanics

Modeling is extremely effective for improving shooting mechanics and it’s often overlooked because it sounds so simple. What makes it so effective is doing it the RIGHT way. Here’s a few pointers:

·         Start without a ball. Only add it when perfection is achieved. The ball often acts as a distraction. Keep this in mind, always START SIMPLE no matter what the ability.

·         Watch the problem at ALL times – without and with the ball.  If the elbow is flying out, keep the eyes on the elbow throughout the shooting motion. DON’T STARE INTO SPACE.

·         Start slow and move to Game Speed.

·         Close the eyes to THINK about the problem and FEEL if it is done right or wrong. Closing the eyes accentuates the sense of FEEL.