OT: Playing Basketball

[JohnVancouver]

Glad you're healing up - my thing is just one of those weird, can't-do-nothing-to-fix-it deals - started about 3 years ago and I'v had it 3-4 times. Once just form lifting my foot up onto a chair to tie a shoelaxe --- small "kkkkkccccccchhhhhhhhxxxxxttttt" sound - followed by "Jesus Christ!"

I'm hoping that as I drop the weight I gained when I quit smoking that it will subside. me and Siler need to do the buddy system.

I like the kid a ton, but he really has that baby Huey quality ... and the pigeon-toed trot. But he gets it done, doesn't he?

[RunDogGun]

Well I finally went to the gym today after two-three months off. It was fun for a bit. I didn't get to warmup at all(well one shot), and I started off great. A few five on five games, and I felt good, and shot well. Then I played some 21, and played well enough to win (called two bank three pointers ) Then my shot sucked like it has never sucked before. Maybe just being out of game shape or lack of warming up, who knows. Then I did okay after some small three on three games, and then I looked like VC in the third overtime. Either way, nice to be back on the floor.

[nevetsov]

Also got these things called "Miracle Balls", where it's basically 2 balls that you lay on for extended amounts of time, one on each side of the spine. It's supposed to realign everything and I do think that combined with the stretching probably sped the recovery.

[pidi]

baby hook alá kevin willes, if you are fast enough than it´s an unstoppable weapon. the other guy needs to be 2 steps quicker than u. i am realy small but if i go to the post i am killing them with the baby hook... so hook it up..

[DRK]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll try and work on it.

Maybe I do need to re-structure my jumpshot. worst day ever at the basketball gym. Only shot 2 from 11 from three, and airballed 4 times. Flat out embarrassing.

After the 4th airball I just went home.

[Nando88]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll try and work on it.

Maybe I do need to re-structure my jumpshot. worst day ever at the basketball gym. Only shot 2 from 11 from three, and airballed 4 times. Flat out embarrassing.

After the 4th airball I just went home.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Pba7X7LPCk[/youtube]

[YFZblu]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll try and work on it.

Maybe I do need to re-structure my jumpshot. worst day ever at the basketball gym. Only shot 2 from 11 from three, and airballed 4 times. Flat out embarrassing.

After the 4th airball I just went home.

I typically don't like to make posts like this, bc I feel like alot of bad information is passed along these lines, but in terms of your jumpshot:

-Lots of big guys tend to only use their arms in the jumper. IMO guys like Amar'e Stoudemire and Big Baby are great examples of bigger guys who have very nice form in their jumper. Watch them, make sure you're using your legs. Big Baby has a very structured form and is great about using his legs every time.

-Keep your shooting elbow in. It's my understanding that people with previous injuries or muscular guys might have problems doing this--Just do your best

-Snap the shooting wrist and follow through. Every time.

-Once you begin your shooting motion, your wrist should lock in place. Don't let it go limp when bringing the ball back.

-Repitition: IMO the main goal when practicing your jumper is to find a form you like, and learn to duplicate it on every single jump shot you take. Your form should look exactly the same every single time.

-Stare at the back of the rim when you shoot

-Close shots: Shoot from up close to get a nice feel for the ball in your hands and try not to touch the rim

-Free throws: A great way to lock in your form. I consider myself a good shooter, and I was able to polish my shot at the free throw line. If you focus on shooting well from the FT line, your shooting overall will improve.

[lilfishi22]

Good tips YZ.

My biggest problem has always been my left hand. I didn't develop great fundamentals when I was learning the game and as a result my left hand is my Achilles heel. I probably lose about 30-40% of my speed and offense going left. I'm slower going left because I'm more cautious of turnovers (from my bad left handed dribbles) and I have issues crossing over to the left as well because of my weak left hand. It's pretty damn annoying when I'm a guard as well.

[YFZblu]

Good tips YZ.

My biggest problem has always been my left hand. I didn't develop great fundamentals when I was learning the game and as a result my left hand is my Achilles heel. I probably lose about 30-40% of my speed and offense going left. I'm slower going left because I'm more cautious of turnovers (from my bad left handed dribbles) and I have issues crossing over to the left as well because of my weak left hand. It's pretty damn annoying when I'm a guard as well.

Thanks

Keep in mind here, you can still use your left hand as a decoy. In the half court, use the left-to-right crossover...But you probably already know that. My right hand is weaker, and I go to the left-to-right crossover, then when the 2nd defender comes, I tap the ball with my left hand again to split the defense...at that point you can pull up for the shot, or pass...Not sure if I conveyed that well through text--But for me it's a nice way to utilize both hands to keep the defense off balance.

Other than that, I think there's a huge misconception that you must be a ball-handler as a guard. It's OK to move without the ball as a guard, too--Just be active out there.

[JohnVancouver]

The boggest thing is to get a form that works for you and then shoot the same damn way all the time, and shoot as much as possible, always conscious of form. "You play how you practice" - G Hill.

I watched jerry West and Oscar Robertson and Walt Frazier for form - because I am an old bastard. Now I watch Nash because I'm an old short bastard

notice how he get his elbow and forearm absolutely perpendicular - that's a huge part of why he shoots so accurately.

and whoever mentioned Amar'e - yes, one of the sweetest strokes for a big man, ever. McAdoo was like that but I really think Amar'e has better form.

[lilfishi22]

Thanks

Keep in mind here, you can still use your left hand as a decoy. In the half court, use the left-to-right crossover...But you probably already know that. My right hand is weaker, and I go to the left-to-right crossover, then when the 2nd defender comes, I tap the ball with my left hand again to split the defense...at that point you can pull up for the shot, or pass...Not sure if I conveyed that well through text--But for me it's a nice way to utilize both hands to keep the defense off balance.

Other than that, I think there's a huge misconception that you must be a ball-handler as a guard. It's OK to move without the ball as a guard, too--Just be active out there.

Yeah I make do with hesitation dribbles and pull up jumpers from the left hand. Doesn't affect me a whole lot since I've learn to adjust, but I could be a much better player if I had a better left hand.

Also when I'm not handling the ball or there's a primary PG playing with me, I play off the ball pretty well. I'm not a big guy but I set some nice back picks lol.

[DRK]

Thanks for the advice YZ. Yeah, shootin form is something I know I have to work on. The action is just not consistent enough to be honest.

I used to be TERRIBLE with my left hand. Couldn't dribble, or hit a lay up with it. Then one day I decided to really focus on working on my left. While I walked the dog, I took a basketball along with me and dribble that with my left, and I practised some post moves with the left. Now, my left is my "surprise." I use it as much as I can now, hitting jump hooks, and driving left. Not many defenders expect me to use my left as I'm a righty, so yeah, that has given me a big advantage.

As of now, my go-to move is a pull up jumper off a dribble while going left. Practised it thousands of times after first seeing Melo do it.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qLMNbhz5rg&[/youtube]

[Never Fear 33 Is Here]

I find it odd that people can't dribble with either hand. I suppose it all differs from what level you play or have played, but I simply couldn't play ball if I couldn't dribble both hands and I am a SF.

Having said that I much prefer going left even though I am right handed. Not so much these days (as I am slowing down through many injuries), but I used to find it funny that people would try and force me left because I am right handed. I would often go left and finish, usually with the and 1. IIRC I started driving left when I was a bit younger because people would force me that way and I turned it into my biggest strength. Also love the Right to Left crossover and whilst I can do it, I find the reverse uncomfortable.

[JohnVancouver]

I find it odd that people can't dribble with either hand. I suppose it all differs from what level you play or have played, but I simply couldn't play ball if I couldn't dribble both hands and I am a SF.

Having said that I much prefer going left even though I am right handed. Not so much these days (as I am slowing down through many injuries), but I used to find it funny that people would try and force me left because I am right handed. I would often go left and finish, usually with the and 1. IIRC I started driving left when I was a bit younger because people would force me that way and I turned it into my biggest strength. Also love the Right to Left crossover and whilst I can do it, I find the reverse uncomfortable.

I'm old enough that when i started school there was a campaign to force all lefties into righthandendness - consequently I am very weird in how I do things. I wear my watch like a lefty and eat like a righty - I shoot righthanded but am more comfortable dribbling with the left.
I've often wondered if there's any brain consequences to this - the idea was that it "would make life simpler for us to be like other people"

[lilfishi22]

I find it odd that people can't dribble with either hand. I suppose it all differs from what level you play or have played, but I simply couldn't play ball if I couldn't dribble both hands and I am a SF.

Having said that I much prefer going left even though I am right handed. Not so much these days (as I am slowing down through many injuries), but I used to find it funny that people would try and force me left because I am right handed. I would often go left and finish, usually with the and 1. IIRC I started driving left when I was a bit younger because people would force me that way and I turned it into my biggest strength. Also love the Right to Left crossover and whilst I can do it, I find the reverse uncomfortable.

Not that I can't dribble with my left, I'm just not as good going that way. Most of the things I can do with my right, I can do with my left, but I lose a bit of speed because i have to take care more. Unlike a lot of good basketball players, I had pretty poor development of my fundamentals when I was learning the game. I only picked up the game when I was in year 10 and that was sort of just playing during lunch time and stuff and I never had training for it. I got by with my speed mostly.

It wasn't until years later did I start realising I could expand my game by developing my left hand. Now I could do the Kobe fading tear drop with the left hand, which is pretty useful because everyone expects the shot to be coming from the right hand.

Definitely practicing with the left as often as I can now.

[lilfishi22]

I find it odd that people can't dribble with either hand. I suppose it all differs from what level you play or have played, but I simply couldn't play ball if I couldn't dribble both hands and I am a SF.

Having said that I much prefer going left even though I am right handed. Not so much these days (as I am slowing down through many injuries), but I used to find it funny that people would try and force me left because I am right handed. I would often go left and finish, usually with the and 1. IIRC I started driving left when I was a bit younger because people would force me that way and I turned it into my biggest strength. Also love the Right to Left crossover and whilst I can do it, I find the reverse uncomfortable.

I'm old enough that when i started school there was a campaign to force all lefties into righthandendness - consequently I am very weird in how I do things. I wear my watch like a lefty and eat like a righty - I shoot righthanded but am more comfortable dribbling with the left.
I've often wondered if there's any brain consequences to this - the idea was that it "would make life simpler for us to be like other people"

I have a basketball mate who is right handed but kicks with his left when he plays football. Also, I suspect he jumps off his right foot when he goes for lay ups and such. Weird stuff.

[YFZblu]

I do most things left handed, but when I instinctively try to smack Robert Sarver in the face when I see him on television, I do it right-handed....