Eliminating Short Range Misses -

Anytime a shot is missed, it is important to ask WHY. There are basically three reasons for missing lay-ups and short range shots from either side of the basket.

1. The shot was taken with no focus or aiming point.
2. Concentration on the focus point was broken.
3. The ball struck the backboard too hard.
   

For shots in the above mentioned category, the point of focus should be the upper half of the nearest vertical line on the backboard.

Practice Tips to Improve Short Range Accuracy:

1. Try to make every lay-up or short range shot a bank shot. Using the backboard allows you to make more mistakes and still make the shot.
   
2. Focus on the upper half of the nearest vertical line and make the ball GENTLY strike the backboard at that point. Increased arc produces a softer shot.
3. Increase your concentration level and make your practice more game-like by having someone purposely push and shove you during the shot. The contact SHOULD ALLOW the shot to be released without too much difficultly. Football blocking pads are great for this drill.
   
4. To guard against the ball striking the backboard too hard, all lay-ups and short range bank shots should be NO IRON shots - the ball touches Nothin' But Net.
   
5. Laser Pointer Drill: To get you in the habit of focusing on the upper half of the vertical line, have someone stand on the free throw line with a laser pointer and make the laser beam travel either back and forth or up and down on the upper half of the vertical line. When a lay-up or bank shot is performed, the shooter must say, "CROSS"- meaning the beam is crossing the line back and forth or "UP" - meaning the beam is going up and down on the line. The helper knows immediately whether the shooter had the proper focus point. To make it more game-like, simulate rebounding by tossing the ball in the air while your side or back is to the basket, catch the ball, pivot, and shoot giving the proper response.

Coaching Point: In a team setting, it is best to have players partner while doing this drill instead have a coach using the pointer. Why? Players learn faster.