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.