The art of teaching basketball shooting is just as nuanced as the sport itself. It requires in-depth technical knowledge, strategic insight, and analytical prowess, but most importantly, understanding the psyche of the players. Being a good communicator is also of utmost importance.
While a basketball coach should primarily focus on building trust with the players and imparting experience-based knowledge, there are some techniques that certainly help to pinpoint the training sessions. Whether it is shooting drills on a basketball shooter or learning to focus one’s mind for better concentration, the efficacy of a coach’s training technique is paramount in every aspect.
In this article, we will explore the different techniques that are essential for coaching basketball shooting to effectively elevate his or her players’ performance:
1) Shooting Form, Technique, and Accuracy
Any training always begins with the basics. The foundation of a reliable shooter is formed with consistent, repetitive form shooting. It helps build muscle memory, perfect shooting form, and improve the accuracy of shots with each passing drill. However, shooting drills are effective far quicker if practiced on a rebounder basketball machine rather than undergoing exhausting and time-consuming manual training. This equipment allows players to take 300-500 shots per day, depending on their gas tank, and master the required balance, hand placement, and follow through in far less time than traditional training.
2) Shot Selection
The next job of a basketball coach is to teach the students the importance of shot selection, followed by the variety of shots they can select from. Help your students understand the techniques behind high-value shots like layups, jump shots, free throws, and three-pointers. Continue to take the help of a basketball machine to train your pupils in these shots. Multiple reps of a shot practiced from different angles will inevitably result in skilled execution during a live match.
3) Persistent Repetition
Repetitions are the secret sauce of every successful basketball shooter. From Steph Curry to LeBron James, every single legend of the sport once spent hours repeating their shooting drills, and possibly still do when they feel like. As a coach, you must encourage regular and purposeful repetitions of both form shooting and specialized shooting drills. Make sure that the training does not get monotonous for them. Come up with interesting, mind-stimulating collateral exercises to keep the reps exciting for your students.
4) Game-Specific Drills
Coaches are responsible for not only teaching shots and shot maneuvers, but also their in-game applications. After the basic shots are mastered, design complex drills with the help of a basketball passing machine to simulate specific game situations. Be it catching and shooting or dribbling through defenders, these tailored scenarios will prepare the players for a real match. They will not be caught off-guard in unprecedented occurrences during a live game and will be able to score with confidence.
5) Shot Analysis and Feedback
A big part of basketball coaching is keeping track of players’ progress and guiding them on the right path for improvement. Simply telling them what to do and leaving them to practice will not help. You need to make sure they are repeat-training the right actions and not faulty ones. Use the shot analysis and feedback feature of a shooter basketball to break down players’ shooting techniques. This will help provide constructive criticism on their form, balance, footwork, release, and range, and eventually fast-track the learning process.
6) Off-Ball Movement
Basketball is more than shooting the ball through the net, although that is what brings up the score. Much of the sport is also about off-ball thinking and movement. Train your players on creating scoring opportunities for teammates, predicting rival defense strategies, cracking through opponent teams’ game plans, and overall being an intellectual asset to the team. Players who pick up well on these elements usually prove to be leadership material. Therefore, such training regimes will also help you identify the on-court strategy-makers.
To Sum Up
Basketball coaching is a multifaceted role that comprises several elements, both physical and psychological. The aforementioned points are an ideal guiding light, but not a gospel. Every coach trains differently, just as every player learns in their own way. The end goal is to implement what works for you, take as much help from basketball machines and other equipment as possible, and craft a comprehensive training program that works for you and your students.
