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How to teach young basketball players to shoot a jump shot
Watch any basketball game, grade-school, high-school, college or pro, you
will generally see that the majority of points are scored on jumpers. Although
some good jump shooters don't get very high off the floor, but simply rely on
quickness, most coaches prefer a good high jump because it is least-likely to be
blocked.
The basketball jump shot should a arduous or jerky motion. The jump shot
should be a smooth, easy, elevated set shot with good follow through. To
accomplish this, don't try to shoot the ball from behind the head. Don't bend
backwards. Lean the shoulders forward, positioning the ball in front of the face
and above the head with arms slightly flexed. The shooter hand does the work,
while the helper hand balances the ball. Feet should be lightly spread. Some
players are more comfortable to slide one foot slightly forward as in the
position for the old-fashioned set shot.
Here are some points a coach should look for:
- Ball position should be in front of and above the head so that the shooter
sights slightly under the ball.
- The body is balanced, no leaning backwards. The shoulders should be on a
line drawn upward from the hips or slightly inclined in front.
- A good strong, but smooth high jump.
- Balance the ball gently as if it were an egg.
- Shoot the ball and follow through as if dipping the hand into a cookie
jar.
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1 - Drive and Jump Shot DrillThe Jump stop and jump shot is probably
the most important offensive basketball maneuver in today's game. Therefore,
time spent developing this skill certainly is not wasted time.
Procedure:
- Have your players positioned at their normal offensive positions.
- Have them start right, change direction, taking one or two dribbles,
quickly jump stop and put up a jumper.
- After several minutes, reverse the process.
- Let your post players work for a short time from each line.
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2 - The jump shot from standing position.Most players can jump pretty
well off a drive because their momentum helps get them up in the air;
however, only a few can jump well from a flatfooted position.
If you do not practice to correct this problem, your ability as a player
will be lacking.
Procedure:
- All players get in their normal offensive position and take two
strides toward the basket. If this does not place them close enough,
arrange the distance in accordance to their shooting ability.
- Give each line a ball. Have them take turns retrieving and passing the
ball to their own line. The receiver catches and takes a jump shot without
dribbling.
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 Diagram
3 - Jump shot drill to prevent players from traveling too far forward
before landing.Some basketball players get in the habit of jumping and
traveling forward to such an extent they are called for a charge. This drill
will help eliminate such problem.
Procedure:
- Place a cone or chair at the front of all lines. Again, the players
are lined up according to their particular offensive position.
- Post player alternate lines.
- Each player takes turn in driving and jumping from a spot directly in
front of obstacle.
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 Diagram
4 - Jump shot catch and jump shot drill.This drill teaches players
how to stop quickly while moving at high speed and get his shot off while
maintaining balance.
Procedure:
- Form three lines as illustrated.
- The cutting line can vary the angle of cut
- The passing line starts the drill by hitting the cutter in the head of
the circle as he breaks quickly for the basket.
- All three lines rotate so that each player, one time or more, becomes
a passer, rebounder, or cutter.
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 Diagram
5 - Jump shooting over a shorter player.Many times a shorter player
gets caught defending a taller player in a high scoring area. The defender
quite often will be close to but in a low retreating position and off
balance. This is an opportune moment for the offensive player to jump for an
easy basket.
Procedure:
- Put one group of players, with a ball. at offensive positions normal
to their offensive positions.
- Put a group of smaller players in the low close defensive position
described above.
- The offensive players attempt to get a shot of high yet, protecting
the ball while bringing it into a shooting position.
- Allow defenders to knock the ball out of the hands of the offensive
player's hands if they bring it too low while starting the jump.
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