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Shooting off the Catch Drill focuses on the fundamentals

This is an excerpt from Basketball: Steps to Success-3rd Edition by Hal Wissel.

Shooting off the Catch Drill.

Front-of-Board Shooting

This drill focuses on the fundamentals: shooting hand behind the ball, elbow-in alignment, release off the index finger, follow-through, and catching the ball in position to shoot.

Face the backboard. Pick a spot near the top corner of the front of the board to serve as your target. Using a spot on the front of the backboard is excellent for fostering a straight shot. Begin with the ball in shooting position above your shooting shoulder. Place your shooting hand behind the ball, with your hand facing the target and with your index finger at the ball's midpoint. Aim the ball at your target on the front of the board, and shoot a jump shot at that target with a full follow-through (full elbow extension); you want to make the ball return to your shooting position so you don't have to move your hands on the catch. Say your personalized key words in rhythm from the start of your shot to the release of the ball. If the ball does not return to your starting position, jump behind the ball and catch it in position to shoot. A shot that does not hit your target and does not come back directly to you is a missed shot. After a miss, visualize a successful shot with good form, again saying your key words. Use feedback from the feel and direction of the ball. For example, if the miss was caused by your arm going to the side, add the key word straight. Use point if the ball went off the wrong finger, creating sidespin. Use hand if you caught the ball with your hands on the sides.

Success Check

• Use proper technique for the jump shot.
• Catch the rebound in position to shoot.
• Your goal is to have 10 out of 10 shots hit the spot on the front of the board and return directly to you, allowing you to catch the ball in shooting position without having to move your hands.

Score Your Success

Record the number of shots that hit the target on the front of the board and then return directly to you, allowing you to make a good catch in shooting position. Give yourself 1 point for each successful shot with a good catch (out of 10 attempts).

Number of successful shots with good catches ___; points earned ___

Shooting off the Catch Drill.

Side-of-Board Shooting

This drill is the same as the front-of-board shooting drill except you use the side of the backboard. This drill puts more emphasis on a straight shot and good catch. On a shot that is slightly off, the rebound will go to the side. This enables you to practice jumping behind the ball to catch it in position to shoot.

Face the side of the backboard. Pick a spot near the top of the side of the board to serve as your target. Using a spot on the side of the backboard is excellent for fostering a straight shot. Aim the ball at your target on the side of the board, and shoot a jump shot at the target with a full follow-through (full elbow extension); you want to make the ball return to your shooting position so you don't have to move your hands on the catch. Catch the ball in position to shoot. Jump behind the ball on shots that rebound to your left or right side.

Success Check

• Use proper technique for the jump shot.
• Catch the rebound in position to shoot.
• Your goal is to have at least 8 out of 10 shots hit the spot on the side of the board and return directly to you, allowing you to catch the ball in shooting position without having to move your hands.

Score Your Success

Record the number of shots that hit the target on the side of the board and then return directly to you, allowing you to make a good catch in shooting position. Give yourself 1 point for each successful shot with a good catch (out of 10 attempts).

Number of successful shots with good catches ___; points earned ___

Shooting off the Catch Drill.

Point-of-Board Shooting

This drill is the same as the front-of-board and side-of-board shooting drills except your target is the point of the backboard between the front and side of the board. This drill is obviously more difficult than the side-of-board shooting drill. It puts more emphasis on focusing and releasing the ball off your index finger. It also provides a greater challenge for jumping behind the ball in position to shoot. On shots that are off target, the rebound may go farther to the side than in the side-of-board shooting drill. This enables you to practice jumping behind the ball to catch it in position to shoot.

Face the point of the backboard. Pick a spot near the top of the point of the board to serve as your target. Focus on your target on the point of the board and shoot a jump shot to the target, emphasizing the release of the ball off your index finger. Catch the ball in position to shoot. Jump behind the ball on shots that rebound to your left or right side.

Success Check

• Use proper technique for the jump shot.
• Catch the rebound in position to shoot.
• Your goal is to have at least 6 out of 10 shots hit the spot on the point of the board and return directly to you, allowing you to catch the ball in shooting position without having to move your hands.

Score Your Success

Record the number of shots that hit the target on the point of the board and then return directly to you, allowing you to make a good catch in shooting position. Give yourself 1 point for each successful shot with a good catch (out of 10 attempts).

Number of successful shots with good catches ___; points earned ___

Read more about Basketball: Steps to Success 3E.

More Excerpts From Basketball: Steps to Success-3rd Edition

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