During the off-season the topic I am approached most about is changing form on a player’s shot.  I think this is one of the most difficult things I player can do because it requires a lot of patience, persistence and knowledge of what they actually need to work on.  With that said – I know that it can be done.  I’ve seen it happen with several players that I have worked with in the past.  Even at the professional level.  Look at Chris Webber.  He went from barely being able to hit a free throw in college to being one of the best perimeter shooting big men in his era.

There are 2 schools of thought regarding shooting the basketball…

1. Rep it Out!  Shoot thousands of shots and eventually the ball will start going in.
2. Change Your Form:  Start from square 1 and break your shot down. (See video at the footer)

For the most part I have subscribed to theory #2.  Sometimes I see a player shoot and don’t see how they will ever be consistent – no matter how many shots they are able to get up.

So what we do is film their shot, review it with them and point out what they are doing right and what they are doing wrong. We’ll then break down their shot where needed.

If you can make a commitment of 1 hour a day with a rebounder or Shootaway, 6 days a week for 6 weeks you will begin to see results and change your flawed habits.  In one hour with a rebounder you should be able to get up over 500 shots.  Remember these are form shots and you do not need to go at game speed.  Focus on the technique and you will eventually get the results.  During this time I highly recommend that you DO NOT shoot anything but form shots because it will set back your progress.

If you sacrifice these 6 weeks I guarantee you that you will enjoy playing the game more than ever before.

After the 6 weeks of form shooting you need to gradually start working in game speed shots to your workout.  At first I would start out with spot ups off the catch where you already have “10 toes to the Rim”.  Start with your shooting foot back and work on stepping into your shot. You can also work on pull-ups off the dribble, but I would work on stride-stops where you are dribbling straight to the rim.

Teaching Points

• Find the Valve
• Align the basketball over your toe
• Tuck and Touch Your Elbow – Don’t have to squeeze it against your body!
• Lift the Ball from your shot pocket
• The ball does not stop moving once you start to lift it
• Snap your wrist and drive your control fingers through the basketball

Control Fingers:  Index and Middle Finger

WEEKS 1-6:  WORKING ON YOUR FORM

If you are working on correcting your form follow this sequence, focusing on your technique for the first 6 weeks.

1.  Shot Pocket

2.  Lift: Lifting the basketball from your shot pocket to eye level

Lift the ball using your shoulder; not bend at the elbow

3.  Release: Drive Your Fingers Through the basketball and Snap Your Wrist

You want the ball to come off your control fingers:  Index and Middle Fingers

4.  Lock Your Elbow – Hold it Til It Hits Something

The best spot on the floor to work on your form is from the front of the rim

PERFORM ONE WORKOUT BELOW, 6 Days a Week, WITH Perfect FORM

Workout #1:

5 Ft:      150 Shots

8 Ft.      150 Shots

12 Ft.    150 Shots

15 Ft.    150 Shots

Workout #2:

5 Ft:      Make 100 Shots

8 Ft.      Make 100 Shots

12 Ft.    Make 100 Shots

15 Ft.    Make 100 Shots

Workout #3:

Shoot for 10 Minutes at each of the following Spots.  See How many you can make in a Row at Each Spot.  Keep Track of Your Record

5 Ft:

8 Ft.

12 Ft.

15 Ft.

Week 7: 350 Form Shots-150 Spot Ups

Week 8: 300 Form Shots-200 Spot Ups

Week 9: 250 Form Shots-100 Spot Ups-100 Stride Stop Pullups

Week 10: 250 Form Shots-75 Spot Ups-75 Stride Stop Pullups-75 Square Ups off the Catch

WEEK 11 +: keep working on your form. Start each workout with at least 100 form shots and then get into your workout.

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