NBA Fan Blog - News, funny stories, my observations and articles from NBA Arenas at www.nbace.com

In order to win games you must learn the art of putting the ball through the basket. In basketball today every player must be a scorer. A basketball team of five scorers keeps the defense alert. The defense must watch all five men instead of concentrating on one or two high-scoring players. The many defensive tactics used today can play havoc with a team of one or two scorers. Very seldom are there five players of equal scoring ability, but every player must be a scoring threat.

Basketball and Shooting

Good marksmanship can be taught but it takes practice. And more practice! And more practice! Do not expect perfection in a game if you have not tried for it during practice! Good shooters in high school today hit as high as 40% of their shots. This achievement has been brought about by the development of the one-hand shot and the jump shot. Not too many years ago it was considered good shooting if a player made one out of three shots. In shooting, you should have good balance, with your weight on the balls of your feet. You should face the basket with your body, keeping your eyes on its front rim. Some coaches prefer the back rim; in my opinion the front makes a better target. The palms of your hands should never come in contact with the ball. The ball should be released from the fingertips. This causes the ball to reverse spin in its flight to the basket. A spinning ball has a much better chance of dropping in the basket than a “dead” ball, a ball that does not spin.

A spinning ball will hit the rim, bounce around a few times and possibly go in; a dead ball, unless true in flight, will bounce away from the basket. The thumb action is the dominant factor in getting a spin on the ball for the two-handed set shot. In the one-handed shot the spin is caused by a downward flip of the fingers and a turn of the wrist. Follow through on your shots. Your arms should be fully extended toward the basket at the completion of a shot. Use the backboard for lay-up and hook shots. When you are near or under the basket, use the board as a deflector. Uncertain shots and hurried tosses should not be taken. A sound principle is that the player should shoot only when properly set.

Basketball and The two-hand set.

The two-hand set shot has a definite place in basketball even though in modern basketball it has been overshadowed by the one-hand set shot. The former is a very effective shot against a zone where you have a little more time to get set. It can still be used from the outside with good results. Adolph Schayes, who has been playing professional basketball for many years and is one of the top scorers, depends heavily on the two-hand set shot. For all shooting the body must be evenly balanced and the heel of the hands must be kept off the ball. In making the two-hand set shot, the body is slightly crouched with the weight on the balls of the feet. The feet should be separated about the width of the shoulders with one foot slightly behind the other. Focus your eyes on the front part of the rim. Face the basket with your shoulders at right angles to the basket. Hold the ball loosely by the tips of the fingers with the elbows close to the sides of the body. Keep the ball well in front with your thumbs and wrists to give the ball the required spin, use a medium arc and follow through. Two-hand set shot. Body slightly crouched with the weight on the balls of the feet. Two-hand set. Before release of the ball. Follow-through of two-hand set shot. Note hands are turned outward.

Players should learn to shoot their shots “clean.” In other words, don’t depend on the backboard. At times your feet may leave the floor as you leap toward the basket to get the necessary power into your shot. The one-hand set. The one-hand set shot is an excellent scoring weapon that can be taken with either the left or right hand. Let us assume you are right-handed. Place your right foot slightly forward and point it directly at the basket. Your weight should be on the ball of the right foot, with your right knee slightly bent, the left knee almost straight. Hold the ball high and sight your target over the ball. Support the ball with your left hand underneath it. Place your right hand behind and somewhat underneath the ball. Release the ball with the fingertips and a flick of the wrist. The back of your hand should point toward the basket with the fingers extending toward the floor. Always follow through, so the ball spins properly. The heels of your feet rise from the floor on the follow-through. The lay-up shot.

The easiest shot in basketball is probably the lay-up. The fast break, used by most teams today, allows a player many opportunities for this particular shot. You should be able to make a lay-up from the right side of the basket with your right hand and from the left side with your left hand. When making the overhand lay-up shot from the right side of the court, start with the left foot, using a one-two count (shooting off your right foot). Adjust your stride so that you will be under the basket when the shot is taken. Leap as high as you can from the left foot, keeping in mind this is a high jump not a broad jump. At the height of the jump the ball is released from the fingertips of the right hand with the palm facing the basket. The left hand balances the ball in the palm of the right hand prior to its release. Be careful not to put spin on the ball. The ball should be carried as high as possible before laying it against the backboard. It is important to pick your angle on the way in for this shot. Do not draw away from the basket! Drawing away from the basket causes you to miss easy shots.

Dribbling is a very important fundamental of both offensive and defensive basketball. Offensively it is used to advance the ball in the back court, to make a drive-in to the basket, and to free oneself from close or congested defensive areas. Defensively, the dribble has become very effective in stalling tactics, especially when a press is being used. The dribbler may bounce the ball with one or two hands. If he bounces the ball with two hands, he is allowed only one dribble. There is no limit to the number of times he can dribble with one hand. If a player dribbles, stops his dribbling action, and then dribbles again, he is said to have discontinued his dribble.

This is a violation which means loss of ball to the opponent. Palming is another violation which occurs when a player momentarily stops his dribble by turning his wrist and “cupping” the ball. Once a player has dribbled and comes to a stop, he must pass the ball or shoot it. Dribbling can be more of a liability to a team than an asset if not used intelligently. Many players get into the bad habit of bouncing the ball every time they receive a pass. This prevents dribbling by the player who has the ball. He is known to be “dead.” If the player in possession of the ball has not yet dribbled, his guard cannot play him tight because the offensive player can dribble around him. He is known to be “alive.” A “live” player is more of a threat than a “dead” one!

Another dribbling mistake occurs when the dribbler watches the ball. He cannot see what is going on around him. This not only slows down the offense, but prevents the dribbler from knowing when an opponent is approaching or seeing one of his teammates cutting in for a pass close to the basket. The temptation to dribble is strong. A player must learn when to dribble and when not to. Dribbling in closely guarded areas often results in the loss of the ball, or the dribbler being penalized for “charging.” Charging is running into a defensive player. Low dribble is used for control and to keep possession of the ball when closely guarded. High dribble is used for speed. It is used whenever there is a clear path to the basket. Moving the ball down court with passes is faster and more effective than the dribble.

Dribbling is done mostly with the fingers, which are spread, keeping the palm of the hand off the ball. You will notice that the palms of your hand are not used in shooting, passing or dribbling! This enables a player to get that fingertip control which is so important in basketball. The weight of the body is forward and on the balls of the feet. The head is kept up so that the player can see his teammates and opponents. A good dribbler learns to keep his body between the ball and his opponent. This will help protect the ball. Learn to dribble with both your right and left hand. This will enable you to go in either direction. Being able to move freely in either direction makes it tougher on the defensive man guarding you. A smart defensive man can stop a player who goes only in one direction. This is also true in shooting and passing. If you are right-handed, use your left hand during your practice sessions. If you are left-handed, use your right hand. In a short time you will be amazed at the skill which results.

There are various types of dribbles that you can use for different purposes.

Speed: In dribbling for speed, use the high dribble. Bounce the ball a little above the waist. This dribble is used when there is a clear path to the basket. It is also used to bring the ball up court after the opposition has dropped back to defend its basket. Be sure that there are no opponents near you as this dribble can be stolen easily.

Control: The low dribble is used for control and to keep possession of the ball when the dribbler is closely guarded. It is more difficult for the defense to steal a low dribble than a high dribble. Many players are adept in “double-timing” the ball. This is done by speeding up the dribble, while the dribbler stays pretty much in the same place. It helps to protect the ball and also aids in faking the opposition. This dribble is very effective for small players.

Change of pace: The change-of-pace dribble is a change of speed. The smart baseball pitcher uses a “change-of-pace” pitch to throw the batter off stride. The same is true of the change of pace in basketball. The dribble is begun slowly to try to get the guard off stride. When you think you have him in a position to drive by him, increase your speed and drive to the basket. The change-of-pace dribble can also be used by dribbling down the court at top speed, then slowing down to get your man off guard. When you think you have your man off balance, pick up speed and drive around him.

Change-of-direction: The cross-over is a change of direction dribble which requires good footwork and ball handling. You drive hard to the right, trying to get your man to lean in that direction. As your right foot hits the floor, quickly shift

Change of direction dribble: This maneuver requires good footwork and ball handling. Shifting weight to left foot and bouncing ball across the body your weight to the left and shove off on your right foot. At this moment bounce the ball across your body, being careful that your guard does not steal the ball. At the same time swing your left leg over, picking up the dribble with your left hand, keeping your body between the ball and your man. If you have succeeded in gaining a half-step on your man, drive in for the basket! The dribble must be kept low until you have eluded your guard. Once you have learned to go to your left side, reverse the technique to go to your right. Picking up the dribble with the left hand keeping the body between the ball and the man.

Another important aspect of dribbling, especially if you are going at top speed, is knowing how to stop. Many times during a game players are called for taking too many steps after stopping their dribbles. This constitutes a violation and means loss of the ball to the opponents. In order to come to a quick stop you must crouch slightly, so that your body will have a low center of gravity. Keep your “tail” low, knees bent and one foot in front of the other. The front foot should be flat on the floor and the rear foot slightly raised. Stopping in this manner will enable you to control your body.

The most common errors in shooting are listed below, along with suggestions on how to correct them.

Error: Your shot is short.

Correction: A shot that is short is usually due to not using your legs, an incomplete follow-through, or a slow or uneven rhythm. Through feel you should be able to determine whether you need to emphasize force from your legs, complete follow-through by keeping your arm up until the ball reaches the basket, or an even paced rhythm.

Error: Your shot is long.

Correction: Your shooting arm is extending on too flat a trajectory (less than 45 degrees). Raise your shooting arm higher when you shoot putting a higher arc on your shot (45 to 60 degrees). You are leaning your shoulders back as the shoot. Shoot with your head and shoulders going forward and upward toward the rim as you follow-through. Your hands are positioned too far apart from each other on the ball preventing you from lifting the ball. Move your hands closer together.

Error: Your shot is inconsistently short or long.

Correction: You probably have incomplete and inconsistent elbow extension on your shots. Extend your arm with complete elbow extension on follow-through.

Error: Your shot hits the right side of the rim (right-handed shot).

Correction: You are either not squared up facing the basket, or you are starting your shot with the ball set in front of your head and your elbow out causing your arm to extend to the right on the shot. Start with your body square to the basket. Set the ball on the shooting side of your head between your ear and shoulder with your shooting hand facing the front of the rim. This will enable you to shoot with your arm wrist and fingers going straight toward the basket.

Error: Your shot hits the left side of the rim (right-handed shot).

Correction: You are either not squared up facing the basket, or you are starting your shot with the ball set on your right hip or too far to your right resulting in shoving the ball from right to left as you shoot. Shoving the ball is a fault that results from not using your legs for power. Start with your body square to the basket. Set the ball on the shooting side of your head between your ear and shoulder with your shooting hand facing front and your elbow in. Shoot with your shooting arm, wrist and finger go straight toward to the basket.

Error: Your shot lacks range, control and consistency. You miss short, long or to either side.

Correction: You are probably lowering the ball and/or bringing the ball behind your head or shoulder and throwing the ball to the ball to the basket with an inconsistent follow-through. Lowering the ball or throwing the ball is a fault that results from not using the down and up action of your legs for power. Set the ball high on the shooting side of your head between your ear and shoulder with your shooting hand facing front. Emphasize the down and up motion of your legs and complete follow-through until the ball reaches the basket. Starting your shot high will give you a quicker release, less chance for error and less chance for your shot to be blocked.

Error: Your shot hits the side of the rim and circles out (right-handed shot).

Correction: You shot the ball with sidespin. The most common cause of sidespin is starting your shot with your shooting hand on the side of the ball and then rotating your hand behind it. If you over rotate your shooting hand, the ball will hit the right side of the rim with sidespin and roll left. If you under rotate, the ball will hit the left side of the rim and roll right. Other causes of sidespin are the ball on the palm, the ball sliding off your ring finger rather than shooting off your index finger, moving your hand on the ball, or thumbing the ball with your non-shooting hand.

To prevent rotating your hand, the ball sliding off your ring finger or moving your hand, set your shooting hand behind the ball so it faces the front of the basket and shoot with your hand and index finger pointing straight toward the basket.

To prevent thumbing the ball with the thumb of your non-shooting hand, place the ring finger and pinky of your non-shooting hand under the ball. Squeeze the thumb and index finger of the non-shooting hand together to help you to shoot the ball only with your shooting hand. Set your shooting hand behind the ball and facing the basket and shoot with your hand and index finger pointing straight toward the basket. At first your shot may have a tendency to go to the left due to not getting the extra force from your non-shooting hand. You will learn to adjust by using more power from your legs and shooting hand.

Error: When shooting off the dribble, you miss to the right or left side of the basket.

Correction: You are probably reaching to the side for the ball and starting the shot from the side of your body. When open dribble to the front of your shooting knee, jump behind the ball and pick up the ball with your shooting hand on top of the ball so when you bring the ball up your shooting hand will be facing the front of your target.

Error: When shooting off the dribble, you float forward, back, or to the side.

Correction: When open dribble to the front of your shooting knee. Pick up the ball in front of your shooting knee (shooting hand on top of the ball) with your knees flexed to gain balance for your shot and prevent floating.

A feature on my web site gives coaches an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers. Responding with a well thought out answer is my goal in each situation. Recently I received this question from a coach frustrated with scoring droughts during his games. There are some excellent time-tested adjustments that can be made to pull your team out of scoring slumps.

The coach asked this question: “As I watch our games in high school and college games on TV I have noticed the number of runs that make a difference in the outcome of the game.

My question is about the opposite of a run, a drought. We have faced many quarters where it has been difficult to string together more than one basket at a time. What advice do you have for scoring when baskets are hard to come by?”

First, remember that scoring droughts will happen. Do not panic and make any major changes. Usually a small, subtle change is all that is needed. When you overreact to something in a game, it has an impact on your players. Stay cool and make the right move.

Scoring in a drought can come from the field (FG) or from the line. When points are hard to come by I advise the following six strategies:

a.Get the ball to the rim by post feeds or penetration.

b.Work to reverse the ball to make the defense work before attempting to score.

c.Penetrate into open areas and be tough with the ball. Scoring from the line is the best way to climb out of a scoring slump!

d.Let your best scorers be screener instead of hunting shots. This goes counter to your thinking but it works. The better they screen, the more they will be open. The shots they get will not be as pressurized and will most likely be closer to the basket.

e. Be positive with your players and let them know that the next shot is going in! Again, your negativity can really affect your player’s ability to make shots. Keep them loose and let them know you are behind them.

f.If you have a guard that can score inside, design a play to get the ball to him on the block. He will either score, get fouled, or both.

I hope these six pointers will help you climb out of those scoring slumps this season. One or two of these strategies will fit into your coaching plan and help you score when your team needs it the most.

Kentucky’s Ramel Bradley is currently playing point guard at the University of Kentucky. He is originally from New York City. Ramel Bradley has a few attributes that help and hurt him as a player. He is a streaky shooter with good three-point range, a decent ball handler, but lacks good decision-making skills and is an average passer.

Ramel Bradley is a streaky shooter for Kentucky. He started out with a bang playing for Tubby Smith as a freshman and showed great promise in the NCAA tournament hitting some key three pointers. As his career has progressed his shooting has been average percentage from three-point range, but Ramel has hit some key shots in big games. Under Gillispie, Kentucky’s Ramel Bradley seems to have more confidence shooting the three pointer because Coach Gillispie actively tells his players to shoot when they’re open or he gets angry as a coach. This is different from Tubby Smith, who criticized many shots if he didn’t think they were high percentage shots.

Bradley is a decent ball handler, which has enabled him to play point guard at UK. Kentucky has lacked a decent point guard the last two years and the current thin roster is forcing him to play the position under coach Billy Gillispie. His natural position is probably the shooting guard position. Unfortunately, UK is lacking any significant talent at the point guard position. Kentucky’s Ramel Bradley has kept a good attitude while playing this position as a senior.

One of Ramel Bradley’s weaknesses is that he sometimes makes bad decisions on fast breaks. He will sometimes force passes into the middle, which end up as a turnover. This frustrated coach Tubby Smith and Billy Gillispie is not happy sometimes on the sidelines when this happens. It usually ends up resulting in a lecture from Billy Gillispie on the sidelines. In addition, Kentucky’s Ramel Bradley has also been known to get caught up in the heat of the moment and get into on-court conflicts with the other team and sometimes his teammates. He’s a very passionate player that needs to control his emotions sometimes.

As a passer, Ramel Bradley doesn’t see the floor that well at times. Ramel is probably one of the best passers on UK’s team though because he obviously has earned enough trust from coach Billy Gillispie to play him at the point guard position. He passes the ball well around the perimeter of the court, but his interior passing needs to be improved. Sometimes his passes are forced or they lack precision, which can end up in turnovers. It seems that Bradley isn’t very comfortable distributing the basketball compared to catching the ball on the wing and shooting it.

All things considered, Ramel Bradley is a valuable member of UK’s team. His shooting and ball handling skills are above average, but he needs improvement as a decision-maker and a passer. UK fans have always loved Kentucky’s Ramel Bradley and I’m sure he’ll always be welcomed back in Lexington after he graduates and moves onto the NBA or another professional position in life.