(2) Basketball: IS THE RELEASE REPEATABLE, OR IT IS FULL OF VARIABLES?

Watch the Release action, how the arm, wrist and hand work to propel the ball to the basket. See you can tell (and ask the players to observe) if the motion has a lot of variables to it, or is it pretty consistent? The way to tell is to watch how the arm and hand end up in the Follow Through. If the arm stays straight toward the basket (aimed high above), that would indicate a pretty consistent direction. If the hand stays pointed forward in line with the basket, though dropping down, that would indicate accuracy. But if the arm or hand move to the side or up or pull back, then you know the release action is inconsistent. Watch for any tension in the wrist and hand. If the shot is being propelled by these muscles, they will be tight at the end of the motion. The shot will also usually be quite flat because a wrist-flip action is horizontal. The main problem I see with this kind of shooting is that smaller muscles are propelling and guiding the ball, and they are hard to control and become less reliable under pressure. It’s very easy to be a little long or a little short, a little left or right with this kind of action. COACHING: I recommend shooting with a completely relaxed wrist and hand, with a pushing action of the arm. If the wrist is relaxed, the hand will actually bounce if the arm motion is quick and strong. Note if the arm action is a “throwing” motion or a “push.” A throw means shoulder and arm muscles are involved, thus adding variables and flattening the shot. If it’s more of a push, aimed upward, then the action can be simplified into a constant motion, thus increasing the chances of repeatability. Note that the Set Point location affects this. If the ball is brought overhead, a throw is required. For a push, the ball has to be more forward. I suggest the back of the ball be somewhere near the front of the head for a simple, upward pushing action. Ask the players to note what’s going on with the arm, wrist and hand. Ask them to do less with these muscles and more from the bigger lower body muscles. They should start to feel an “effortlessness” when shooting this way, and their improved shooting will motivate them to explore this further.