Re: Shooting

[j.hironaka@unesco.org]

FWIW, I was taught to always include a hundred rhythm shots (your basic
dribble straight down and a jump shot) if you have the time. Strangely
enough, if you can make that shot in practice then theoretically it should
feel a lot more comfortable in a game to pull up off any kind of dribble
to shoot.  Another trick is to start out shooting short set shots with
only one hand, in order that your wrist gets comfortable snapping the ball
out instead of pushing it.  If you shoot with both hands you can easily
end up pushing the ball. I assume that this was the basic idea behind Don
Nelson's one-handed free throws.

But you're talking to a guy who is by far the least gifted basketball
player to roam the earth (I still try though). Maybe Rory or someone can
talk about this better than I could. BTW, I wonder who would make our
Celts list "Globetrotters" basketball squad? I know that Greg Ode played a
little in HS with Detlef Shrempf, Ritesh's nickname is "Chief", and Jim
Mennino can dunk (I can't even dunk a donut without splashing scorching
hot coffee in my lap). Maybe Josh "What are you guys stoned!?" Ozersky
could coach. It would be fun if we could play ball someday....maybe all
gather in Boston when the Celtics win #17.

Joe

****
Gene Kirkpatrick wrote:

> Good ideas, Bob, on shooting.  I taught myself how to shoot as a kid
> without realizing what I was doing.  We had PE drills of making as
> many shots in a minute as possible.  I learned the two foot jumper
> from that.  Later when my son began to play, I developed the
> Kirkpatrick method; certainly all coaches use it, I thought.  Start at
> the hoop.  Make five or six baskets.  Back up two feet.  Make some
> more.  Use the glass.  Repeat until you get to the three point line.
> Develop variations.  It's simple.  It works.  Teach the eye and the
> hand to coordinate at various distances.  Then, when warming up for a
> game, employ the same, stupid, monotonous method and see what
> happens.
>
> For shooting with the left hand, I put a stack of nickels on the
> porch step.  Make one and get a nickel.  He learned pdq.  In sum:
> it's like tennis.  Don't just hit the ball.  Hit across court and down
> the line.  Just going out and shooting or hitting the ball gains very
> little repeatable skill.  Well, enough pedagogy.  But if I developed a
> system that works, why not the pros??
>
> Name withheld by request.  I'm afraid of getting offers to teach in
> Clipper land.