Stop the world of basketball shooting! I want to get off! (Part 2 of 2)

To the World of Basketball:

This is the second of two articles examining six generally believed instructions used to teach basketball shooting. These include the first three (Framing, Elbow Under Ball, and Wrist Flip), which were covered in Article #1.

Now let’s look at three other shooting “myths” and how they are taught and what else might be effective.

(4) “SHOT AT THE TOP OF THE JUMP”

Shooting at the top of the jump is another one of those instructions that doesn’t help the shot. It’s an effective weapon… if you can do it. But it’s very difficult because all you have is your upper body to drive the shot. Also, it gets harder the further back you are, as the target gets smaller and smaller. Few athletes can shoot well this way all the time.

SHOOT ON THE WAY UP (FOR MOST SHOTS)

Shoot faster “On the way up” is an easier way to shoot. By firing early, you engage the large muscles more, and your action provides a stable platform from which to fire, a vortex of energy. Add to that move a Constant Release and you really get something!

(5) “REACHING THE HAND IN THE COOKIE JAR” DOESN’T HELP!

Another instruction thrown from time to time is “Put your hand in the cookie jar (imaginary)”. But keep in mind that said movement is downwards, which flattens the shot. It also increases the effect, which may or may not be desirable. And it’s engaging those pesky little muscles in your wrist, hand, and fingers. Instead, I suggest you push up with your arm and relax your wrist and hand. Try it both ways and see which one gives you the loudest, smoothest, and most predictable shooting action.

(6) “LINE EVERYTHING UP – HAND, ELBOW, ETC!”

Some say that the hand and elbow should be in line (some say that the knee and foot should be included in this alignment) and this is an important thing, that vertical line is useful. My answer is “What for?” For me, the line that matters is the one that goes from the hand and the ball through the eye to the basket. That is determining where the ball is going. Any other line is superfluous. Some even say that the ball should be in line with the strong side of the body. People with this belief end up shooting with the ball in line with their ear or shoulder or between their ear and shoulder. The vertical line thing sounds great, but it’s out of line with the eye, so accuracy becomes more of a challenge.

THE SWISH METHOD:

This is what I offer as important:

1) Open position, get in close to shoot wherever possible.

2) Make the shooting and aiming hand critical, not the elbow!

3) Align your hand and ball with the shooting eye and the basket. As you bring the ball up to the set point (where the pitch begins), be careful to line the ball up with the eye and the basket as early and for as long as possible so there is some momentum to catch and use.

4) Develop a Throw that is a “push” action, to the end of the arm (full extension) at the same speed each time. The goal is a “constant” release motion, minimizing variables. If you are a strong player and have an overhead set point, keep the back of the ball in front, not allowing it to go over the top. From the front, you will have to push the ball up, which is desirable. If doing it overhand, a toss and/or somersault is recommended, even required.

5) Relax your wrist and hand so that your hand can even bounce on the follow. Give your wrist and hand this one job: to cradle the ball securely and keep the ball in line with wherever your arm sends it.

6) Control the distance by varying the arc (trajectory) at the last moment. This is the easy way to shoot. If you try to have the same arch each time by varying the release or timing with your legs, it’s much more difficult. If you vary the arc, you can just “let it fly” at the same speed and force each time and trust your instincts to know how high. This is the easy way to shoot!

ADDED NOTE: AN OPEN STANCE ALLOWS YOU TO SHOOT FROM “THE WHOLE BODY”

Keep in mind that if you square off and shoot at the top of the jump with your upper body, that’s all you get to power the shot…just your upper body. But if you open up your stance and shoot early in the jump motion or from the bottom up, you’ll get the feel of shooting with your whole body, a stable feel. And the alignment with the eye is much easier the more open you are. It just MAKES SENSE to shoot this way.

THIS IS A WAY OF SHOOTING THAT RESONATES WITH EVERYONE!

The Swish Method can help everyone. It is simple but very powerful. You will wonder why nobody told you about this way of shooting. And it will start a path to excellence that will be noticed by other players, coaches and fans.

THERE IS A MORE EFFECTIVE WAY TO SHOOT!

There is hope for the game in this way of shooting. You will learn what and how to practice, how to train yourself and others. When you practice, you will get better, unlike most players today who don’t know what makes a difference. This approach will start you on a process that will be exciting. Making whistles at standstill over and over again is exciting. It shows you how capable your body is. Make the launch “auto” and it will start launching shots from everywhere.

Visit: http://www.swish22.com

Copyright © 2007 Tom Nordland All Rights Reserved