Fast Five: Free Shooting? There is no Free Anything.

"Experience is the best teacher, but sometimes the tuition is high." 

There's a saying about shooting being the most important and the worst taught skill. Sometimes it's helpful to think about why something doesn't work in order to explain how to make it work better. 

"The quickest path to shooting better is to take better shots." Being open doesn't mean having a good shot. Being open in your range, in rhythm, without a teammate with a better shot, and taking a situationally-appropriate shot is necessary. I believe that it was Pete Carril who penned, "non-shooters are always open." And Bob Knight reminds, "just because I want you on the floor doesn't mean I want you to shoot." 

"Everyone shoots better with uncontested shots than contested shots." Repeating a lie doesn't make it true. 

It's usually true, but NBAMiner.com shows it's not always true. 

"The same distance is not the same shot." NBA data shows a higher percentage of corner 3s made than 2 point shots made from the same distance. Coaches struggle to get players NOT to leave the corner 3 open. 

Note that defenders tend to be FARTHER from the shooter on corner 3s. 

Bobby Knight says, “I hate casual shooting. EVERY shot must be preceded by working to get open and catch and shoot under game like conditions.” 

Arik Shivek 3 lines, 3 shots drill...layup, jumper, drive. Encourages pass and cut mentality and works closeout and passing skills to a degree. 

Change it up. "Star drill" with rebounder. 

Shooter sprints to corner, then goes to opposite wing, wing, opposite corner then top. Second rotation takes one dribble right into a shot. Third rotation one dribble left into a shot. Ideally, limit the time for each player (e.g. one minute and track makes). Having a rebounder adds to the drill.