The Lost Art of Shooting

Developing a consistent shot is probably one of the most reliables ways to earn your place on any team.  Good shooters are in need. Great shooters are a hot commodity.  If athletes knew how much coaches loved players that can shoot the ball they would definitely put more time in to improve their consistency.   

Coaches are always looking for athletes that can find a way to put the ball in the basket from mid-range to long distances. Investing the time to become a great shooter is such an overlooked way to make a team. I spend a lot of time in gyms and it seems like shooters have become extinct or are at least a very rare breed in this day and age. So I got thinking… what happened? How come there are so few players that are investing the time to get their shot going?

There are a few theories I am thinking about to help explain this: 

1. Shooting takes time - Learning to shoot takes effort, perseverance and can be incredibly lonely at times.  In a time where everything happens so instantaneously when it comes to learning the art of shooting players just don’t seem to stick with it.  There are so many other distractions that get in the way of shooting. Video games, hanging out with friends, watching TV, spending time on social media and the list goes on and on.  Shooters need to shoot! 

2. Access to gyms is much harder to find - shooters need time, space and a hoop to be able to perfect their shot.  The interesting thing is that so many players want to be comfortable in a nice warm or air conditioned gym (depending on the season).  They want the rims to be in pristine condition, the floor to be level and are not interested in shooting in the elements. Shooters need to toughen up!  Get your hands dirty and realize that dealing with different circumstances is what makes shooters great.  It is the mindset that you have to build that will help you to be successful.   The school doesn’t always let kids into the gym early or late anymore to get their shot going especially when living in a city.  This means players need to get resourceful to find a gym.  Here are a few ideas: 

1. Find a community centre to shoot in
2. Find an outdoor court to work at 
3. Make friends with your neighbour that has a rim on their driveway 
4. Work on the pieces of your shot in your garage or laying down on your bed.  Work on catching the ball into your shooting pocket or transitioning the ball up to the release.  You don’t always need a ball just work on the muscle memory of shooting.  

3. Shooters are obsessive -  Great shooters figure out how to shoot when the ball is slippery, when it’s windy, also when the sun is shining or when it’s hot.  They are prepared to shoot rain, snow, shine or wind.  They might get those gloves with the fingers cut off so they can still feel the ball and get their shot going in the winter for a longer period of time.  Those who shoot in the winter also know that you have to pump the ball up a bit more so that it will bounce at the right level.  They are obsessive about getting their shots up or working on their reps. The weather doesn’t stop them for getting it going. 

4. Players aren’t sure what to do - so many times I see flippant shots going on between drills.  Shooters need volume shots at a game like speed.  As a coach I want to see the quality of the reps not just reps for the sake of reps. Sure you can put up 3 shots between drills but if they aren’t game like I don’t want to see them.  Throwing it up from your waist or from half court doesn't count! Proper technique is important and it should be emphasized on every single shot you take.  

Also, great shooters have counter moves like a shot fake that actually looks like their shot so that they can free themselves up or draw fouls by getting the person up in the air.  Great shooters always have a plan and they track their results to know if they are getting better.  They don’t just show up and start shooting threes.  They don't take short cuts.  They get warm, get loose and get in a rhythm.  They have a shooting workout they work through so they maximize their time.  Three’s are an important part of being a great shooter but the mid-range game using 1 or 2 dribbles to get free and shoot a pull up jumper is rarely seen.