"What's the core scoring skill set" a player needs to succeed at the next level?
No one answer exists, but here are some that successful players can develop. Find at least four ways to score..
Central ideas:
- Keep it simple. Have a bag of "stuff that works" with a few signature moves. Sacrifice quantity for quality. Refine. Refine. Refine.
- "You can't pour from an empty cup." People know who has game.
- "The magic is in the work." There is no muscle memory. You "lay down" neural pathways in the brain that reinforce nerve transmission speed and accuracy with thousands of repetitions.
- Basketball rewards athletic explosion.
- Practice multiple finishes at the rim. For example, out of box drills you can finish with either hand from either side off either or both feet.
- By high school, finish at the basket from the three point line with one dribble.
- Find a workout partner for more efficiency (alternate, rebound, play against defense, take video of each other).
1) Catch and shoot. "Keep it simple." Be "shot ready" on the catch. Coach Bob Knight used to say, "just because I want you on the floor doesn't mean I want you to shoot."
2) One dribble into shot...either direction plus "side step" three. Separation is the name of the game.
3) Jab step into attack. Kobe would take a thousand shots a day in the 100 days of summer. Study video and take it to the court.
4) Pivot attack (back to the basket) both front and back pivots.
5) Negative step attack
6) Bonus: Float dribble options (Durant)
As a player fifty years ago, I just played and had no understanding of the power of footwork to unleash separation. That limited me offensively as more of a shooter and play in space guy. I want more for the girls I coach.
As coaches, teach versatility leading to more creativity, more space, and better shots.
Lagniappe (something extra). "Low man wins."
- Who are you as a player?
- How are you going to become more?
- Why (your motivation)?
- Why now? Every day is a chance to improve.