December 2011: Shooting The Basketball Quicker

Shooting Quicker
To shoot quicker, a player must move quicker and maintain the same rhythm all the way through the shot.

Shooting Pocket
If a player moves his or her feet quickly, the player must bring the ball into the shooting pocket quickly at the same speed and then continue on with the rest of the shot maintaining the same rhythm. Remember, you can move too quickly and not time the release of the basketball at the correct time.

Leg Action
The ball must be brought into the shooting pocket correctly with a player`s leg action.

Releasing The Basketball At The Correct Time.
If a player`s basic shooting mechanics are correct, then it is all about releasing the ball at the correct time. Great shooters release the ball at the correct time. A player can have great form, but if he or she doesn`t release the ball at the correct time, they will not be a very good shooter.

A player must release the ball in a natural way. If a player brings the ball into the shooting pocket at the correct time, maintains his or her rhythm, and follows through correctly he or she will release the ball well. Don`t intentionally try some contrived procedure where there is a lot of thinking involved to release the ball at the correct time. If you have a lot of mechanical thoughts about shooting you will not shoot well. Again, timing is essential in great shooting.

Great And Good Shooters
A great shooter is where a player can shoot easily, quickly, and accurately from long or short range. There are only a small percentage of basketball players in the U.S who are great shooters. There are many basketball players who are good basketball shooters, but only a small percent who are great. The good shooters have similar shooting mechanics and the great shooters have similar shooting mechanics. There are some slight mechanical differences between good shooters and great shooters.

Basketball Shooting Camps
Each year we add a few drills to make our camps better. This Summer we will put in all the drills that will help a player become a great shooter. DISTANCE, QUICKNESS, and ACCURACY

If you decide to come to our camp this summer, you will find if you PRACTICE CORRECTLY the drills and techniques that we will give you, you will be on your way to becoming a great shooter.
-- Coach Baumgartner

August 2011: Gripping The Basketball With The Shooting Hand

Shooting Pads On The Shooting Hand
Not every good shooter grips the basketball the same with the shooting hand. There are different correct ways to grip the basketball when shooting. Some very good shooters place more shooting pads on the ball than others. Usually, the main mistake is not putting enough pads on the ball.

Essential Gripping Technique
Regardless of what gripping method ( number of pads on the ball ) you use, make sure you touch the pad under the index and middle fingers. This in a natural way makes you have enough pads on the ball for better control and better distance.

Proper Gripping With The Shooting Thumb
If you don`t grip properly with the shooting thumb you won`t be able to touch the pad under the index and middle fingers. Don`t place your shooting thumb directly straight down on the ball.

"The August 2008 shooting tip shows and explains the correct and incorrect way to grip with your shooting thumb".

Again, touching the shooting pad under the index and middle fingers will automatically help you develop the correct way of placing your shooting hand on the basketball for good control and better range.

Just Finger Tips
Gripping with just the finger tips and some finger pads is incorrect. This gripping procedure creates a poor thumb position and does not place enough shooting pads on the ball for good control and distance. Gripping with just finger tips and a few pads is a common mistake and is incorrect.

Basketball Shooting Camps
We had five great weeks of basketball shooting camps. The attendance was very good. We had players come from all over the U.S. and foreign countries. For the first time we had someone attend from Africa.

We had great results with teaching shooting and other offensive techniques. We met our promises for this year and did more with the pull-up jumper with great results. Many left camp with a much better way to develop pull-up jump shooting. Pull up jump shooting is the least understood of all ways to shoot the basketball.

July 2011: Three Main Essentials To Great Shooting

Form
To become a great shooter you must develop correct shooting fundamentals such as: Arm alignment, grip, shooting pocket, body position, etc.. These are the mechanical parts that must be done to develop a pure stroke and touch.

Footwork
Of course, a player needs great footwork to square up properly and also do all the different moves and shots. Great footwork is essential if a player wants to be able to score in different ways.

Release Point
Once a player has developed form and footwork then the most important part in shooting is releasing the ball at the correct time. You can have great form, etc., but if you don`t release the ball at the correct time you will not shoot consistently well.

Drills
When teaching shooting drills should be set-up to automatically in a natural way to help the player to release the ball at the correct time. To ever be in the "zone" a player must release the ball at the correct time. A player should do a form drill each day when developing his or her shot. The other drills that are on-the-move should be set up so they automatically help a player to release the ball at the correct time.

Basketball Shooting Camps
At our shooting camps we will teach you correct shooting mechanics ( form, grip, arm alignment, shooting pocket, etc. ) We also will teach you all the footwork used in executing all the moves and shots in basketball.

At our shooting camps we will also give you drills that will also help you release the ball at the correct time. Again, after you get your shot together, then the main essential is releasing the ball at the correct time. We do a great job at our camps teaching players how to learn to release the ball at the correct time.

Older and Younger Players
At our camps we easily help the younger players and we can definitely improve the older players shot. Too often older players feel a fundamental camp won`t help them. Our shooting camp is different because besides helping you to shoot better, we will give you all the moves and shots that the great players use. Join us this Summer for a great basketball experience.
-- Coach Baumgartner

July 10-13 Shooting Camp
We still have some openings in the July 10-13 camp

June 2011: Shot Line To The Basket

Shot Line With Player Squared To The Basket
The shot line is a little right of center for a right handed player and a little left of center for a left handed player. When you lift the ball and you are looking over the ball at the basket your index finger should be in line with the cheek chin area. This is the general alignment area and it places the ball in the shot line.

When you lift the ball and you are looking under the ball at the basket your index finger should be in line with the outer half of the eyebrow. This is the general area and it places the ball in the shot line.

It is recommended to check out to see if your ball is in the shot line when you do the form drill. The form drill is done 7 or 8 feet from the basket. You should not jump while doing the form drill. Remember, the shot line is a little right of center for a right handed player and a little left of center for a left handed player.

When the ball is lifted the index finger should not be in line with the shoulder.

Position Of The Shooting Pocket
There are different correct positions for the shooting pocket. Some players shooting pocket is positioned at the center of the body. This is correct and probably one of the most common shooting pocket positions. Having the shooting pocket a little right of center or a little left of center is also correct.

There is more information on the shooting pocket in the October and November 2008 tips of the month.

Brought Up Through The Shot Line
Regardless of the position of a player`s shooting pocket , when lifting the ball a player should bring the ball up through the shot line. "Bring Ball Into The Shooting Pocket and Then Lift It Up Through The Shot Line". Remember to maintain your rhythm all the way through the shot.

Basketball Shooting Camps
Bringing the ball correctly into the shooting pocket and lifting the ball up through the shot line is one of the basic fundamentals to great shooting. At our basketball shooting camps we do a great job with the shooting pocket and shot line.

A Player Needs Explosive Power In Today`s Basketball
For example, we have developed some great techniques to get players to explode by their defensive player and finish well among heavy traffic. We will show and drill you on how to have more "pop and go" in your over-all offensive skills.

Join us this Summer for a great basketball experience. We cover all the ways to shoot a basketball (3 pt. shot, free throw, pull up jumper, step back, spin, etc.) and many other offensive skills to make you a great offensive threat. -- Coach Baumgartner

May 2011: Releasing The Basketball At The Correct Time

Releasing The Basketball
Once a player has developed the correct fundamentals of shooting a basketball ( alignment of shooting arm, shooting pocket, grip, etc. ), then the releasing of the basketball at the correct time is the most important part in shooting consistently well. A player must learn to time the release at the correct time to be a great shooter.

Lifting The Basketball
It is very important that a player lifts the ball at the correct time and coordinates the lifting of the basketball with his or her leg action.

Drills
Get in the habit of practicing shooting drills that in a great way help you to automatically release the ball at the correct time.

Pure Shooter
When a very good shooter is off it is almost always in the timing of the release of the basketball. They will either be releasing the ball too quickly or late.

Professional Player
In recent years there has been one professional player who was a terrific 3 pt. shooter in a major college who changed his practice habits from how he practiced in college. The changes he made caused him not to consistently release the ball at the correct time. This player has struggled for several years trying to find his shot.

Practice Tip
Don`t practice too many different ways to shoot the 3 pt. shot unless you understand the mechanics of the different ways of shooting the 3 pt. shot.\ There are some differences. Find what fits you and grind in the mechanics so you release the ball at the correct time.

Basketball Shooting Camps
At our camps we show and drill players so they automatically in a natural way release the basketball at the correct time. Again, the lifting of the ball and the leg action must be done at the correct time for a player to release the ball at the correct time. -- Coach Baumgartner

April 2011: Lifting Ball Correctly Before Thrusting It To The Basket

Position Of Forearm
A very common mistake is for a player to lift the ball so his or her forearm is straight up and down before thrusting the ball to the basket. This causes the player to have a flatter arc on the shot and less power. There are shooting aids out that put the player`s forearm in this incorrect position.

When the ball is lifted it should come back close to the face, forehead, or where ever a player lifts the ball before thrusting the ball towards the basket. Picture 1 shows a player correctly lifting the ball close to the forehead. As you can see the forearm is not straight up and down. A younger player lifting the ball lower would bring it close to face, etc..

Again, lifting the ball where the forearm is straight up and down before thrusting it to the basket is a common mistake. When lifting the ball bring it up and back close to where you are lifting the ball before thrusting it to the basket.

Power And Arc
Remember, if you lift the ball to the correct position before thrusting it to the basket you will automatically in a natural way develop more power in your shooting and have better arc on your shot.

Picture 1
Correct Position of Forearm

Coach Baumgartner
Join us this summer for a great basketball experience. After coaching for 19 years, running the Dick Baumgartner basketball shooting camps for 38 years, and working with over 55,000 players on a one-on-one basis I have had the opportunity to develop the best techniques and drills for teaching shooting and other offensive skills.

Our drilling, techniques, and one-on-one individual instruction is different than other camps because we break down each skill further. When this is done each player player learns quickly and easily in a natural way. Where some camps say this or that can`t be taught in a short amount of time we do it. If you join us for 4 days this Summer you will find that we will do a great job for you in those 4 days. -- Coach Baumgartner

March 2011: Pure Shooting Stroke

Pure Stroke
One of the main emphasis in teaching basketball shooting should be to develop a "pure stroke". A pure stroke is where all the arm and hand parts are perfectly in line when the player follows through and releases the ball. This arm-hand alignment can be reviewed in March 2008 tip of the month.

If the elbow is not in line or the hand veers out some, when the player releases the ball, the player doesn`t have a pure stroke. Again, for a "pure stroke" they all should be in line.

Most Common Cause Of Poor Alignment Of Shooting Arm and Hand
When a player does not have a "pure stroke" , the cause is usually some mistake in the player`s grip. A few examples are: 1. player places the shooting thumb straight down. 2. player has his or her thumb and index finger too close together or too far apart. These techniques can be reviewed in the August 2008 tip on the shooting thumb and the April 2007 tip on Grip Techniques.

Follow Through
Finish each shot. By finishing each shot a player in a natural way is more apt to develop a pure stroke for better accuracy. Follow through with fingers and wrist on each shot. Do this often enough so you do it automatically without thinking about doing it. Thinking about different parts of the shot while shooting is one of the worst mistakes in shooting. Get your habits developed in practice and not in a game or scrimmage.

Form Drill
Doing a form drill 7 or 8 feet from the basket is a good place to develop your "pure stroke". Remember, to push up and follow through on each shot.

Basketball Shooting Camps
We spend time at our shooting camps developing all the fundamentals needed to shoot the basketball well in all situations. We have great drills, techniques, and one-on-one instruction to develop a " pure stroke " and other shooting skills. Our drills and techniques automatically put the
player in a natural way into the correct ways to shoot a basketball. Join us this Summer for a great experience in learning how to shoot well and also how to do other offensive skills well. -- Coach Baumgartner

February 2011: One-on-one Play----------Driving to the basket

Most Common Mistake Made In Driving To Basket
Starting with the ball held too high before putting the ball on the floor when attacking the defensive player is the most common mistake made in driving to the basket.

More Apt To Travel
A player who starts with the ball held around the chest or neck area is more apt to not time the putting of the ball on the floor with his or her step. Players who start from this high position travel a lot.

Much Slower
From a high ball position it takes a player a lot longer to put the ball on the floor.

Triple Threat Position
Some instructors teach a triple threat position where the ball is positioned around the upper stomach or chest area or higher. From this high starting ball position a player can shoot or pass well, but not drive well.

Through the years, I have seen teams who practiced a high triple threat position travel time after time. These teams also didn`t attack well in one-on-one situations.

Coach Baumgartner
In today`s game of basketball, offenses require a player to be able to break down his or her defensive player with great one-on-one moves. This is why players need to know how to beat the defensive player in front of them. Remember, you won`t drive well if you start with the ball held too high before you put it on the floor.

January 2011: Pull-up Jump Shooting

Too Many Mistakes Made In Learning A Pull-up Jump Shot
There are not a lot of good pull-up jump shooters. It seems that the basic techniques of shooting off the dribble are not understood well. I am covering a few more techniques and drills to teach shooting off the dribble.

After reading this tip of the month, I recommend reviewing two other tips of the month which cover different parts of pulling-up and shooting. One is July 2006---"Footwork for pull-up Jump shooting". The other is December 2006----"Common Mistakes Made in Pull-Up Jump Shooting.

Good Body Position
A player should not be bent over too much at the waist. He or she should have a slight bend at the waist with the back somewhat straight. It is important to have the head level. The knees should be slightly bent. This is the best balanced position for moving and shooting.

Height Of Dribble
Most great pull-up jump shooters dribble the ball waist high or a little lower. A player should dribble the ball firmly for better power and control. If a player dribbles firmly he or she won`t have to dribble hard on the last dribble because it won`t be necessary. A hard last dribble is usually exaggerated and is slower. Again, it is best to have an over-all firm dribble.

1-2 Stop Going Both Ways
Great pull-up jump shooters use a 1-2 stop most of the time, with an occasional jump stop when his or her foot position going into the shot dictates a jump stop. Remember, a player can do more from different positions on the floor using a 1-2 stop. A player gets into the shot quicker and more efficiently using a 1-2 stop.

Semi-Circle Pull-up Drill
This is a very good drill to develop your pull-up jumper techniques. Get someone to rebound and pass to you. Stay inside the 3 pt. line and dribble basically following the 3 pt. line. After receiving the ball dribble 1, 2, 3, or more times then square up and shoot. You can vary your speed.
Remember to dribble firmly and keep your head level. Don`t dribble the ball wide. You can vary the distance from the basket depending upon age of player.

Semi-Circle Pull-up Jumper Drill

1. Dribble Inside three point line
2. Practice going both ways
3. Dribble 1, 2, 3, or more times and square up and shoot

Coach Baumgartner
It is recommended that you check out the other two monthly tips on pull-up jump shooting. The techniques recommended here are what the very best players use. Remember to work on your dribbling because it is not only used in pull-up mid range shooting, but many other aspects of the game of basketball.