5 Steps to Developing Your Basketball Sweet Spot

Do you know what a basketball sweet spot is?  Here’s a better question – do you know where YOUR sweet spot is?  A sweet spot is a spot on the floor that you love to shoot from because you can make that shot!  You own that spot.  You can knock it down with your eyes closed… okay, maybe not really with your eyes closed, but you get my drift.  It is a spot where you want to get and shoot the ball because you’re very good at it.  Kobe Bryant has his elbow jumpers.  David West has the short corner.  Lamarcus Aldridge has his 18 foot free throw line extended jumpers.  And you can have one too.  I believe that every player should have a sweet spot, and if you currently don’t have one, here are a few steps to developing a good basketball sweet spot.

1. General Repetitions Repetition is an underrated development tool.  It might take your brain one or two repetitions to register something, but it takes you body much longer to register something and make it instinctual.  We’ve all heard of muscle memory.  That comes by repetition.  If you want to build a sweet spot, start by getting repetitions of MAKES.  I recommend at least 40 makes in whatever spot you choose.  That can be broken down into 20 makes at the beginning of your workout, and 20 makes at the end.  You don’t need a partner for this.  Get 40 makes of ball-in-hand jump shots from whatever spot you choose.

2. Varied Repetitions Along with stationary reps, incorporate dribble-into reps and catch-and-shoot reps.  These were very effective for me when I was playing and working on my game.  If you are working on shooting the right wing 3 pointer for example, practice dribbling down with either hand as if in a delayed fast break.  Make 5 shots dribbling down with either hand, then get 10 makes off a pass (being ready on the catch) from a teammate.  For the super serious shooter, also incorporate reps off of cuts.  Set up cones as screeners and curl cut into your spot.  Then straight cut into your spot.  Set an imaginary screen then cut into your spot as the screemer.  The more you are used to getting the ball in your spot in various ways, the more comfortable you will be in that spot come game time, when anything can happen.

3. Contested Repetitions I’m giving this its own focus because this needs special attention.  Most of us practice shooting without defense, but we also need practice with defensive pressure!  You’d be lucky in any competitive game to get more than 5 wide open shots.  You need to be able to shoot with small amounts of daylight.  Do contested reps with a buddy.  Have him or her pass to you then close-out to try and block your shot.  This will help you get your shot off quicker, and will get you practice negotiating defenders while still staying focused on your shot.

4. Mini Basketball Games The next step to getting your sweet spot going is to play mini games.  Play 1-on-1 with a buddy and try to get to your sweet spot to score once every three times you have the ball.  Play games by yourself you shoot 20 times from your sweet spot and mark your percentage.  Give yourself rewards and consequences for certain levels of performance.  Play the “Beat Lebron” game from your sweet spot in a 7 game series and see if you can win the series.  Play games with consequences like this outside of shooting reps and full-court games to get yourself comfortable with your sweet spot.

5. Development Scrimmage The ultimate test (and ultimate confidence-builder) is 5-on-5 full court basketball  action.  In the 5 on 5, practice different ways of getting to your sweet spot with and without the ball, and work on getting your shot off against live defense.  You don’t want to give away what you’re doing to the defense, so only look to shoot from your sweet spot once every 4 times you have the ball. In the other times you have the ball, practice passing from that sweet spot and faking and driving from that sweet spot.  Also remember to try to use screens to get yourself open as the screener at your sweet spot.

We’ve given you 5 doable steps to developing your sweet spot.  Implement these steps for a month and see the results you get.  If you need help with shot form, cutting or screening technique, or being ready on the catch as it relates to your sweet spot, contact your local basketball trainer to help you.  Getting feedback in your loop is critical to accelerating your rate of improvement.  We can’t wait to see you owning your sweet spot!

Do You Have The Basketball Skills To Drive Defenses Nuts?

Most youth basketball players that are good scorers have only one maybe two skills that lead to most of their points. Most kids can shoot, attack the rim and finish, or score using post position. Basketball trainers and coaches love kids that do all of these things and coaches are constantly frustrated by trying devise defensive schemes that stop each of these scoring methods. If players can add the skills discussed below to their offensive games they will increase their playing time and frustrate all the defenders they face.

1. Master shooting 3’s, pull up jumpers, and catching and shooting from all locations:

Be willing to put in the time needed to be a good 3 point shooter not just from one spot but any on the three point line.

Pull up jump shots are a dying skill accept in the NBA. Why is this? Probably a few reasons players don’t put in the time to master the skill, coaches only each 3’s and layups, or lack of understanding of when to shoot them. If you put time and focused development into shooting pull up jumpers they can help you score when driving to the basket isn’t an option (against taller/longer defenders or shot blockers).

Learn to shoot off of screens or flashing against zones. The key to this skill is setting up the screen/cut and then having hands and feet ready for a quick release shot. Watch Ray Allen, JJ Redick, and Steph Curry away from the ball and their footwork as they catch and shoot. Also understand great shoots don’t just have long distance range they have great touch 15 feet and in

2.  Master scoring with your back to the basket:

Try not to automatically think playing with your back to the basket means you have to always be in the post. Yes, being able to catch the ball inside and score is always a good thing but back to the basket scorers can use their body to gain position in other areas as well. The high post is one area where you can use your body to seal defenders and catch the ball with a winnable advantage to score. Also creating a position in the short corner/European post can allow you to catch the ball and score within 10 feet of the basket. These are two spots on the court that can give you great scoring opportunities but you must be ready for contact and indicate contact to gain the position.

3.  Master attacking the rim:

The reason I saved this one for last is because I think being good at the first two can set you up to be great at attacking the rim. Understand that if you can’t shoot then defenders can play off of you and limit your opportunities to attack the rim. On the other hand if all you can do is shoot then defenders will pressure you outside of your range. If you’re good at both then they will limit your touches, play you very physical, and deny you the ball that is why you need to be able to great space using your body.

When you become a good shooter shot fakes become your best friend when it comes to attacking the rim. Once you get an opportunity to attack the rim you must be ready to finish with both hands, using the backboard, not using the backboard, and absorb contact. Finally once you can get past your defender and they know you can finish the job around the rim you can set up the pull up jump shot and find this will be the easiest way to get your shot off as a scorer.

We don’t need to say a word.  He said it all.

Basketball Players Want to Know…What Made Michael Jordan So Great?

I was 14 years old when Michael Jordan made his famous “last shot” against the Utah Jazz in Game 6 the 1998 NBA Finals.  That shot helped the Chicago Bulls secure their 6^th NBA Championship, and Michael retired (for the 2^nd time) in the offseason thereafter.  I was a senior in high school when Michael made a brief two year comeback with the Washington Wizards.  By the time he retired for good, Michael Jordan was considered by many as the greatest basketball player of all time.  He finished his career with the highest career NBA scoring average (30.1 PPG) and the most Finals MVP, finishing with six.

Today, Lebron James is the king of the court.  Many people believe that he is or has a chance to be the greatest basketball player ever, even better than MJ, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and some of the other NBA legends.  I work with kids today who weren’t alive to see Michael Jordan play basketball, but who are very familiar with Lebron James.  It shouldn’t come as a shock that many kids today know the name Michael Jordan (in part because of his still-popular shoes), but don’t know what made him great as a basketball player.  For that reason I thought I would take some time to talk about some of the things that made Michael Jordan so great.

Physical Tools

Similar to Lebron James, Michael in his prime was considered the best athlete in the NBA.  He was a player who was extremely quick and extremely explosive.  His height and weight were similar to Kobe Bryant’s (6’6” and around 200 pounds), and it was reported that Michael had a 40+ vertical and ran a sub 4.4 40 yard dash time.  His basketball trainer, Tim Grover, helped him reach is potential physically.  Also notable were his large, strong hands.  Michael was able to palm and hold the ball while in motion, which aided him in finishing at the rim and making effective one-handed shot and pass fakes.

Basketball IQ

Michael Jordan credits Dean Smith as one of his biggest basketball influences.  Dean Smith was Michael’s legendary college coach at North Carolina, and it’s been said that he was the only man who could hold Michael Jordan under 20 points per game.  Whereas a lot of today’s stars enter the league with a year or less spent playing college basketball, Michael spent 3 years at North Carolina playing and learning the game under Dean Smith.  Although he was a 1^st Team All-American as a sophomore, Michael stayed another year in school, racking up the college player of the year award before entering the league ready to star.  Jordan averaged 28 points per game as a rookie in the NBA, something that has not been done since.  He had a solid foundation of basketball IQ that allowed him to be an NBA All Star all the way until he was 40 years old.

Complete Game Production over Flash

Michael was a very efficient offensive basketball player, and that was in large part because he was largely a no-nonsense offensive player in his prime.  The fancy ball handling moves that many guards today love to utilize were not in Michael’s arsenal.  He was a great north-south player that didn’t waste time playing with his defender.  When facing the basket from the wing he utilized a hesitation dribble or crossover to get to a pull-up jumpshot or athletic finish at the rim.  In the post, he utilized a fadeaway jumpshot to elevate over defenders or a pump fake to get defenders in the air or off balance.  By almost all accounts of players who played against him Michael had no “holes” in his game.  He could drive right as well as drive left.  He could shoot the pull-up jumper going either direction and could shoot the turnaround fadeaway in the post turning over either shoulder.  There was not any one thing he was uncomfortable doing on the offensive end, which made him a very dangerous offensive player.  The highlights you see of Michael Jordan finishing at the rim are entertaining and sometimes awe-inspiring, but Michael’s game was always built on sound offensive principles.

Competitive at Both Ends of the Floor

Michael is considered one of the best perimeter defenders in NBA history.  He was a feared defensive player along with being a feared scoring threat.  It is very uncommon for a player to be “elite” on both ends.  How good was Michael on the defensive end?  Well, Michael Jordan was the first player to ever record 100 blocks and 200 steals in a single season, and he did it twice.  Let’s put that in perspective.  The best perimeter defender in today’s game many say is Lebron James, and he has never recorded 200 steals OR 100 blocks in a single season, let alone doing them both together.  Michael recorded 200 steals in six seasons, leading the league in that category three times, and recorded 100 blocks twice.  In 1988, Michael Jordan became just one of 5 guards to win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award.  He also led the NBA in scoring (35.0 PPG) and steals (3.2 SPG) that season.  Talk about doing it at both ends.

Consistency

There have been many great players in NBA history, but only a handful operated at an All Star level from day one until they hung their shoes up.  As mentioned previously, Michael Jordan was named an All Star as a 21 year old rookie.  That was in 1985.  Michael retired for good in 2003 at the age of 40, and was also an All Star in his final season.  He was chosen as an All Star every year of his career he was eligible.  Michael led the league in scoring a record 10 times, and is only one of two players (along with Wilt Chamberlain) to lead the league in scoring 7 consecutive seasons.  There was never a season where he averaged less than 20 points per game.  On the other end, Michael shares the record with four other players for most selections to the All Defensive First Team with nine.  He was consistently active and effective on both ends of the floor throughout his career.  Some players operate at an elite level for 5 years, or maybe 10, but Michael Jordan was an All Star level player in three different decades.  That’s pretty special.

There is more to the greatness of Michael Jordan… like his finishing ability, his late game heroics, and his legendary trash-talking, but I won’t bore you with more words.  When you get a chance pull up some old Chicago Bulls games and see for yourself.  Mr. Jordan might inspire you to chase greatness like he did a generation of young players before you.

Watch Playoff Games Like A Basketball Trainer

Spring time always brings us great basketball.  Between February and June, basketball fans are treated to the high school basketball playoffs, the NCAA Tournament, and the NBA Playoffs.  The NBA features the highest level of basketball play, and the playoffs are where elite teams and players bring elite intensity and focus.  As a basketball fan, it is usually fun to watch all of the games and players, but youth basketball players can learn a few things about the game by intently watching certain players.  Imagine if you watched games like a basketball trainer does.  Here’s a quick list of some players to watch this postseason.

Player: JJ Redick

Position: Shooting Guard

Team: Los Angeles Clippers

What to Watch: Off-Ball Movement

JJ Redick is one of the best shooters in the NBA, and he has mastered the art of moving without the ball.  JJ is better at catching and shooting than creating his own shot off the dribble, so it is important for him get open and be ready to shoot on the catch.  When you watch JJ on offense, watch for two things.  One is how he uses off-ball screens.  JJ is really good at setting his defender up for the screen and watching how they play him to determine what cut he makes off that screen.  Depending on how he’s being defended, JJ will either curl or fade, making sure to cut explosively either way.  Once he gets himself open, watch how JJ catches the ball.  He is almost always ready to shoot as soon as the ball hits is fingers.  He utilizes a jump-stop catch on fade cuts and a 1-2 catch on curl cuts.  If he doesn’t catch the ball with enough space to shoot, he has also mastered the skill of taking one dribble and going right into a pull-up jumpshot.  What he does sounds easier than it really is, so you shooters out there make sure you watch him carefully to pick up the nuances of getting open without the ball.

Player: Tony Parker

Position: Point Guard

Team: San Antonio Spurs

What to Watch: Pick and Roll

Tony Parker is clearly one of the best point guards in the NBA, and he is also one the most efficient ones.  He consistently shoots right at around 50% on field goal attempts, which is an amazing number for a point guard.  He achieves this efficiency in part by being excellent off the pick and roll.  Because he can use it well, he doesn’t have to work as hard as some other guards in order to get a decent shot off.  Tony is quick, but he is not as explosively athletic as some others.  He is effective in the pick and roll because of how he sets defenders up.  The thing to watch with Mr. Parker is that he generally makes no secret that he is about to get into the pick and roll.  He uses his screening teammate as someone his defender has to also worry about.  Whereas a lot of guards see the screen and immediately attack it, Tony reads how his defender is going to respond to the impending screen.  He is equally as effective rolling tight off his screening teammate’s shoulder or turning down the screen and exploding in the opposite direction.  When he comes off the shoulder using the screen, he is great at knocking down the pull-up jumper if the roller isn’t open.  When turning the screen down he is still explosive and still cognizant of his screening teammate, who he is able to hit many times with an overhead pass for an open jumper.  A lot of times this is Tim Duncan knocking the jumper down.  Definitely watch Tony Parker this offseason if you want to learn better how to use the pick and roll.

Player: Zach Randolph

Position: Power Forward

Team: Memphis Grizzlies

What to Watch: Offensive Post Game

NBA veteran Zach Randolph has one of the best post games in the league.  While he has never been considered one of the best athletes at his position (he rarely dunks), he has been able to average over 17 points per game in his career.  When you watch Zach, also affectionately known as Z-Bo, watch for two things.  When he receives the ball with his back to the basket, he is generally able to make quick decisions.  Watch how often he goes to score using two dribbles or less, and when he does go to shoot, watch how quickly he gets off the floor.  Although Zach could be considered relatively undersized and not a “great” athlete, he is able to be very effective in the post because of quick decisions, using his body to protect the ball and being explosive off the ground.  When Zach receives the ball and faces up, watch how he utilizes the face-up jump shot to open up his game.  Since defenders know Zach is willing to take (and capable of making) that jumpshot, he’s able to use a pump fake to get defenders in the air and then drive to the basket.  You young big men can learn a lot from watching Zach Randolph this postseason.

While you’re enjoying the NBA playoffs, take the time to mix a little business with pleasure.  Try to pick up on one or two things from these players that you can use to enhance your game, whether it is moving without the ball, using the pick and roll or scoring in the post.  Enjoy the playoffs and remember to never stop learning as you take in all of this great basketball.  Why not take your wish list of skill development to your basketball trainer and ask for his / her help.

Why Basketball Trainers Love NBA All-Star Lamarcus Aldridge

After a long night of basketball training, three basketball trainers got together for a discussion of NBA playoffs.  One player rose to the top of the discussion.  University of Texas alumnus Lamarcus Aldridge is one of the premier power forwards in the NBA today.  He is the best player on a playoff team in the tough Western Conference, and he is living up to his potential as the Number 2 pick of the 2006 NBA draft.  Lamarcus is a player who was recognized for his ability as a high school All American, but didn’t come into the NBA with as much fanfare as some of the other current stars in the league.  Over time, Lamarcus has developed and refined his game to become exactly the type of player that basketball trainers and coaches love.  Here is why we love Lamarcus Aldridge.

Basketball Trainers Love Consistency

Basketball trainers love Lamarcus’ consistency.  In the 2013-2014 NBA season, Lamarcus averaged 23.2 points and 11.1 rebounds.  He had the celebrated “20-10” season (points and rebounds).  20-10 is a benchmark for elite big men.  It means that they are handling their business in both the scoring and rebounding departments on a consistent basis.  As a former power forward, I can tell you that it takes great effort to consistently score and rebound as those elite levels.  Do you know how many players averaged 20-10 during the 2013-2014 NBA season?  Only 4.  The other players were Kevin Love, Demarcus Cousins and Al Jefferson.  That’s pretty good company.  Lamarcus’ teammates could count on his production every night, as he only scored in single digits once during the season, and that was in a blowout win for his team.  Lamarcus shows great leadership by producing at high levels for his team night in and night out.

Basketball Trainers Love Guys Who Take Their Skills To Work

Basketball trainers love that Lamarcus goes to work.  If you’ve played basketball in various leagues and gyms around your city, you’ve undoubtedly heard the expression “go to work” when a certain player gets the ball.  The phrase “go to work” refers to asserting yourself to score!  Your teammate tells you to go to work when he knows you have the talent to score and he wants you to go do it.  Believe it or not, a lot of good players don’t possess the ability to score 1-on-1 when the defense KNOWS they are trying to score.  Some players pick their spots and shoot when they’re open and some players require on-ball or off-ball screens to get them in a position to score.  It’s a great luxury for a team to have a guy who can consistently get his own shot when his team needs a bucket.  Lamarcus didn’t always show this ability.  He used to be a player that seemed not to want the responsibility to score on-call.  But now, as a more mature player, Lamarcus can score when needed.  It takes a lot of skill, mental toughness and leadership to consistently be the guy your team looks for to score, and to deliver.  We appreciate players who are confident and skilled enough to go to work on a consistent basis.

Versatility In Skill Development

We love the fact that Lamarcus Aldridge is versatile and mature.  Versatility means the ability to do multiple things.  As it relates to basketball, we are usually talking about offensive skills.  Maturity refers to making smart decisions.  We also are normally talking about offense but in this case it applies to defense as well.  Lamarcus is a player who can score in the post, who can score on jump shots, and can even shoot the 3 point shot.  When he came into the league, however, he was known more as a jump shooter.  Some considered him a little soft, but none could deny his skills.  Versatile forwards like Kevin Garnett, who Lamarcus admired growing up, influenced up-and-coming big men to do more than just use their size in the post.  Today, you see some big players who take this too far, and do everything EXCEPT for post-up.  As Lamarcus has matured, he has learned to harness his versatile skillset and now he truly does take what the defense gives him. When he has shorter or weaker opponents, he takes them into the post, using his strong frame to get high percentage looks at the basket.  When he has slower or larger opponents, he still utilizes his deft jumpshot.  On defense, Lamarcus has learned to use his physicality and length to bother opponents, and he will even take charges from time to time.  When you watch Lamarcus Aldridge, you are watching a player who is getting the most out of his all-around talent on both ends of the floor.

Individual Skills With Team Mindset

One of the biggest reasons trainers love Lamarcus Aldridge is because he’s a star who is also a team player.  You know as well as I do it is not a given that a star will be a team player.  A lot of times stars can believe in themselves so much or believe in their teammates so little that they are always demanding the ball and belittling teammates for making mistakes.  You see none of that with Lamarcus.  Lamarcus is a willing screen-setter for his talented wing teammates, and he keeps an even-keel attitude on the basketball court whether he or his teammates aren’t playing well.  By all accounts he seems like a guy players love to play with.  Lamarcus plays with All Star point guard Damian Lillard, who is a 21 point per game scorer himself, and the two have good on-court chemistry.  There is no Shaq and Kobe feud in the Blazers lock room.  Lamarcus has done a good job of balancing high individual production with a team-first attitude and a positive relationship with teammates.  You gotta love it, and we do.

Lamarcus Aldridge is a player that trainers and coaches love because of how he plays the game from night to night, and because of how he interacts with his teammates.  He is a player young stars can learn a lot from, in both his tangible skills and his intangible attitude towards the game and teammates.  We salute Lamarcus Aldridge and will be cheering him on the rest of his All Star career.  Go Big L!

By Basketball Trainer Contributor Mike Vandegarde

The Final Four, what a great weekend of basketball for anyone that wants to be a part of the action. Whether you are learning the game at an early age, a fan who just enjoys watching basketball, or you are actually playing in the Final Four itself, what a exciting sporting event to be a part of. The Final Four is the culmination of a years worth of work by college staffs, players and coaches. I think it represents everything good about the game of basketball. I have been to the Final Four for 20 years and counting, I started as a Fan 1st, then as a Coach 2nd, and even as a scout for the NBA for a few years. I wanted to share some of the great things I have learned with you about the experience.

As a fan it is the best way to have an experience that I can only describe as basketball, basketball, basketball. On Thursday everything gets going even though the games don’t start until Saturday. You can start by strolling over to the convention center and seeing all the booths where people sell everything basketball related. I even saw basketball related furniture for sale one year. Products designed to help the top basketballl trainer in your city. If being hounded by vendors isn’t your thing then you should stop by the Coaches Hotel to see Coaches from the junior college level up to the best coaches in all of college basketball talking shop and sharing thoughts about the game. I always wish I could be a fly on the wall to all the great conversations and stories the coaches have to tell. Next I suggest stopping by the FanFest and participating in or watching all the kids playing games and working on all the basketball drills the festival has to offer. Basketball courts in the convention center that have shooting and passing activities galore. You can go check out some of the stations in the FanFest that include a hand, foot, and height measurement mural of the greatest players to have ever played. It is really cool to see how you stack up against the greats. You could try out your vertical on the vertical jump machines over in the corner. It is just a huge gathering of basketball related activities for children to adults. Anyone gets to listen to some of the brightest basketball minds share their thoughts during a seminar or lecture session. After a day of basketball at the conference center, you can set your sights on the actual teams playing in the tournament the next day.

So after a good nights rest, it is Friday, a day before the first two games even tip off. I will always go over to the Arena to watch the Final Four teams practice. Then following that have an All Star game with some of the best college players in the country showing their stuff. They even have a free concert in the Arena following the game. Most fans spend the day at the arena and it is a special experience that you can only get at the Final Four.

I have failed to mention the 3 point contest for both Men’s and Women’s players and the dunk contest involving the best athletes in the college game. Those have both happened in the last few days another great event. I think even the great woman’s player Candice Parker won that dunk contest a few years back. After going to the Final Four weekend for many years as a fan, I became a Division 1 coach and things during the weekend didn’t change a whole lot.

The biggest thing in coming here this weekend as a coach was that I got to finally exhale for a few days and reflect on all the hard work our group had done throughout the season. The practices, the games, the study halls, the airplane trips, the highs, the lows, and everything that goes on during the season can be exhausting when you are almost always judged on wins and losses. I got to catch up with other friends in the business that I have not had time to call over the course of the season. Maybe even dinner and drinks with a few of my best friends from outside the coaching fraternity that have made it to town. I know some coaches even use it as a vacation for their families as they have not spent enough time with them for the last six months or so. Many others decide to talk to the NCAA executives about new ideas and possible rule changes in the coming years that should only make the game better. I will go to a few seminars and listen to some of the best coaches in the business talk about strategies and habits they use in their programs to be the best teams they can be. Maybe I will learn the secret to defeat the dreaded matchup zone or find a cure for a loss from a last second shot. Myself and all coaches from the lowest to the highest levels get to look forward to a great weekend of everything basketball, basketball, basketball.

You can go as basketball crazy as you want during a Final Four weekend. The two Semi-final games are on Saturday and the Finals are on Monday. You could never have a better trip that is all about basketball for one weekend a year then the Final Four. Like I said before, I have been both a coach, a fan and a scout during this weekend and I loved all sides. If you like basketball, and I think we all do, make sure a weekend at the Final Four is on your bucket list.