Keys to CONTROLLING Shots
Okay, you’ve learned to push the ball, and you’ve learned to power your shots mainly by your leg drive or upforce (if you haven’t, read my previous blogs, okay?). How can we now control the distance or flight of the ball more effectively for EVERY shot we take?
First, we must realize that flipping the wrist harder or softer is obviously not ideal, as we are placing the control in our faster firing muscles. Again, controlling distance from your release is a no-go because the finger and wrist muscles are not suited in providing power and accuracy at the same time. If you have wrist and finger muscles active in your shot (even just slightly), go ahead and read my first blog. You should be pushing the ball completely.
However, pushing the ball harder or softer, I’ve come to learn, is not ideal either. In fact, varying the arch of your shots makes this task easier.
If you were to shoot a shot from the three point line and then from the free throw line with the same release, the best and most efficient way to control the distance is by shooting the free throw shot with a higher arch, while shooting the three point show with a lower arch, naturally. This allows you to control distance without actually changing your release or speed of your release. It is SO much more simple, this way! It’s like an archer who changes the trajectory of his strike to fit the distance, you see! Similarly, you vary the angle of your arm to fit the distance.
Or, from a given power generated by your legs (Upforce), you can also vary the arc! From a lot amount of leg drive generated, shoot with a higher arc, or you will hit backiron all the time. From a little amount of leg drive generated, shoot with a flatter arc, or you will airball all the time.
We demonstrate:
Michael
