September 28, 2007, Newsletter Issue #314: Learning to Shoot Under Pressure

Tip of the Week

The pressure is on. You're about to shoot and the whole place is watching you. But first, you should learn to shoot the ball under pressure.

Start under the basket.  Place the ball on the ground so it does not roll.  Take one step back from the ball and stand up completely straight.  As fast as you can do so, go for the ball, pick it up and shoot it.  The shot does not have to be done immediately.  The object is to pick up the ball and square up to the basket quickly, but to shoot the ball slowly.  Rebound the ball and place it right under the basket again.  Repeat the drill eight times.

What about shooting the ball when there is a defender there?

You begin by starting under the basket.  Place the ball on the ground so that it does not roll.  Take one step back from the ball and stand up completely straight.  A defender is added to the drill to bother the shooter.  When the shooter goes for the ball, the defender can shout at the offense, wave their arms around or move their body closer to the shooter.  The defender should not come closer than five inches toward the shooter.  Rebound the ball and place it right underneath the basket again.  Repeat this drill eight times.

Want to gain skills on shooting the ball under pressure from an active defender?

Begin by placing the ball under the basket.  Two players are set up side to side with their legs and elbows touching.  Once the drill starts, the player that gets the ball is on offense and the other player is on defense.  The job of the defense is to harass the shooter without fouling.  The offense shoots the ball, gets the rebound and places the ball back under the basket.  Repeat this drill eight times.

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