We want players to shoot with confidence. Most players, at our level, can improve their shot by simply putting in the reps. When players do need assistance, it is important to encourage an external focus. In our experience, drawing the players attention to the flight of the ball and where it lands on the rim, has payed the largest dividends.
Any technical instruction, if needed, should be geared towards getting the ball to go straight. Issues can arise in the players connection to the ball, connection to the ground and the transfer of energy along the kinetic chain.
1. SHOOTING THE BALL STRAIGHT
To shoot a ball straight, we should envision a pool stick striking a cue ball. If the pool stick strikes the cue ball in the center, relative to its target, it will go straight every time. (Physics!) This is our goal of shooting instruction, to get the shooting finger to drive through the center of the ball relative to the target.
2. CONNECTION TO THE BALL
Often times players are not aware of which finger leaves the ball last. As a coach, help the player determine their individual preference for which finger leaves last. It will be the the pointer finger, the middle finger or a split finger release. (Dependent on hand size and shoulder/wrist mobility.)
Once the shooting finger has been decided upon, work to build a connection between where the ball is hitting the rim and how it felt leaving the players hand. If the ball misses short, the shooting finger went through the bottom part of the ball. If the ball misses long, the shooting finger went to high on the ball. If the ball misses left or right, the shooting finger was left or right of the center of the ball. (Like a cue ball)
Often times, this is all that is needed to improve a players shot. If the shot is still having issues, the problem will likely lie in the "funneling" of the ball. Help the player find a "balance point" for the ball in the middle of the palm. Encourage them to "hold the ball like a bird." Not so tight that they would crush it, but not so loose that it can get away. Help the player learn how to funnel the ball from his palm, pinky and thumb, towards the shooting finger.
2. CONNECTION TO THE BALL
Often times players are not aware of which finger leaves the ball last. As a coach, help the player determine their individual preference for which finger leaves last. It will be the the pointer finger, the middle finger or a split finger release. (Dependent on hand size and shoulder/wrist mobility.)
Once the shooting finger has been decided upon, work to build a connection between where the ball is hitting the rim and how it felt leaving the players hand. If the ball misses short, the shooting finger went through the bottom part of the ball. If the ball misses long, the shooting finger went to high on the ball. If the ball misses left or right, the shooting finger was left or right of the center of the ball. (Like a cue ball)
Often times, this is all that is needed to improve a players shot. If the shot is still having issues, the problem will likely lie in the "funneling" of the ball. Help the player find a "balance point" for the ball in the middle of the palm. Encourage them to "hold the ball like a bird." Not so tight that they would crush it, but not so loose that it can get away. Help the player learn how to funnel the ball from his palm, pinky and thumb, towards the shooting finger.
2. CONNECTION TO THE GROUND
The release is really all that matters in regards to the flight of the ball. (In terms of physics.) However, some players can improve their consistency with a better connection to the ground.
A players connection to the ground will be generally determined by their connection to the ball. Generally speaking, players that shoot with their pointer finger will need to turn their feet slightly, and players that shoot with their middle finger will be more square to the rim.
Regardless of the stance, work with the player on eliminating horizontal momentum. Simply make players move before they shoot, so that they have to use their legs to create balance into the shot. Often times a good coaching que to use is "spongy knees." Which means to absorb the energy from the ground and create the tempo for the shot. If a player is moving fast, he will need spongy knees to slow down. If the player is moving slow, he will need spongy knees to speed up.
A players connection to the ground will be generally determined by their connection to the ball. Generally speaking, players that shoot with their pointer finger will need to turn their feet slightly, and players that shoot with their middle finger will be more square to the rim.
Regardless of the stance, work with the player on eliminating horizontal momentum. Simply make players move before they shoot, so that they have to use their legs to create balance into the shot. Often times a good coaching que to use is "spongy knees." Which means to absorb the energy from the ground and create the tempo for the shot. If a player is moving fast, he will need spongy knees to slow down. If the player is moving slow, he will need spongy knees to speed up.
4. "LEAKING" ENERGY ALONG THE KINETIC CHAIN
In extreme cases, players will "leak" energy somewhere along the kinetic chain. For the shot to have flow, the upper body and lower body must extend in concert with each other. If a player is inconsistent with extension in some area of the shot, it will create an inconsistent shot.
Often times, a leak can be repaired naturally by maintaining a focus on the shot line. However, if the issue remains unresolved, a coach can diagnose the faulty joint. (Which will more often than not be the elbow or the wrist.) One handed shooting has proven to fix most of these issues.
