Friday, October 4, 2024

A Dozen Thoughts on Basketball Shooting

Players have access to a wealth of information on shooting. Why do we see many games with low percentage shooters?

1) The quickest path to better shooting is better shot selection. Do the math - shots*points/shot*percentage equals points. If you took 50 shots x 3 points shot x 0.20 you only get 30. Remember that possessions minus turnovers impacts outcomes dramatically. 

3/10 on 3s yields 9 points. 5/10 on 2s yields 10 points. "Do well what you do a lot." Many teams shoot below 25 percent on threes. #Inefficient 

2) Get more shots and opportunities for our best shooters and scorers. Yet, balanced scoring forces opponents to defend everyone. 

3) Quality shots also include shots appropriate to the time and score. 

4) Every player should know what a good shot is for themselves and each teammate. Coach Bob Knight said, "just because I want you on the floor doesn't mean I want you to shoot." 

5) “The quality of the shot relates to the quality of the pass.” - Pete Carril

6) “Think shot first.” - Don Kelbick  

7) All shots are not created equal. Catch-and-shoot generally outperforms shooting off the bounce, off screens, and off of a shot fake.

8) “Free shooting” usually underperforms competitive shooting, training with defense, and shooting with time or other constraints.

9) Shooting practice without using the glass is incomplete.

10) Devote a small segment of shooting practice (a few percent) to emergency shots - fallaways, runners, and off-balance shots.

11) “Winners are trackers.” - Darren Hardy.  Constantly seek improvement within both trends and setting personal bests. 

12) Shooting with a partner improves two players and add efficiency by having a rebounder.

Bonus ideas:

- Be shot ready (on the catch)

- Work to quicken your release

- Work on ‘pickups’ off the dribble 

Lagniappe. Remember strength and conditioning. 

Lagniappe 2. Occupy the help side.  

at