Secret to Shooting Your Best...EVERY DAY! - Doug Schakel Basketball 

this is really helpful information thank you

Do you jump off of the floor for the three foot distance as well?

Yes, you do jump slightly off the floor at the 3 foot distance. --Doug Schakel

Glad that you found it helpful! If you go to "Doug Schakel You Tube" you will find several moreof our videos on shooting. --Coach Schakel

Glad you enjoyed the video! Go to "Doug Schakel Basketball RU-vid" to see 8 more videos on shooting.

Ed- Time will take care of the nerves. Best to your nephew's future. --Doug Schakel

Glad it has been helpful. Good luck with your team. Best-- Doug Schakel

Glad the video was helpful. If you Google "Doug Schakel Basketball - RU-vid" you will see eight other videos on shooting. Good luck- Doug Schakel

Noubar- Thanks for your positive input! I'm glad that this video is helpful to you. --Coach Schakel

coach, may I ask a question. what do you think about players who wear glasses. Should I start wearing lenses or basketball goggles. Thank you in advance sir.

I think goggles is the way to go. Good eye protection and much sturdier than regular eyeglasses.

+xHastte The best ways to get noticed, other than having very good ball skills, are to outwork and out hustle the other players, especially on defense, be in shape, go after every rebound possible, look your coach in the eye when talking or listening to him, don't be on time...be early, and be in or near the front of drill lines. This is a tryout and you don't want to blend in. You are trying to stand out or catch the coach's eye. By focusing on the above items, you will definitely increase your chances. Good luck!

+Doug Schakel Great advice!

Elsajuu- Even though you have problems with your right eye, you still want to use your right hand and use all the mechanics that go along with that (see our video on "Use a Mirror to Fix Your Shot").. Lots of practice is needed to be a good shooter. Good luck! --Doug Schakel

i will see it, thank you!

Carrie- I think timing the warmup, then switching the shooter and rebounder is a good idea. Good luck with your kids. Best- Doug Schakel

+Colten Voss Colton- Search for our You Tube video "How To Fix Your Shooting Slump...Today." This is a never-fail method to get you out of your slump quickly...you will really like it...and the results! --Coach Schakel

+Doug Schakel Thank you for the reply! I'll check out. God bless.

Coach Martinez- 16 players and 2 baskets is difficult, but not impossible. You could break into four groups of four players each with three of the groups working on ball handling, dribbling drills, form shooting against a wall or to a partner, etc. while the fourth group does the shot warmup. Two shooters, standing side by side, at each basket. Have them alternate shots so they don't shoot at the same time which could have their balls collide with each other. Rotate the groups every 7-8 minutes. I am sorry but I don't understand your second question. All of our shooters do the shot warmup regardless of where they normally shoot from. The shot warmup will identify the correct shooting range for each player. I hope this helps. If you have further questions, contact me at dougschakel@aol.com Also you can see all 28 of our free videos at "Doug Schakel Basketball - RU-vid."

Russell- To help you, check out shooting videos #20, #19, and #16 below: 13) "Secret to Shooting Your Best....EVERY DAY! - Doug Schakel Basketball" ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-IDDkgn20eeQ.html 14) "Basketball Shooting: The Keys to Making MORE Shots - Doug Schakel Basketball " ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-OW2DSzQ44bY.html 15) "How to Make More Three Point Shots (#1) - DougSchakel Basketball" ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-yLHsQhFkitY.html 16) "How to Make More Three Point Shots (#2)" - Doug Schakel Basketball ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fSWCCUvJgjo.html 17) "HOW TO FIX YOUR SHOOTING SLUMP....TODAY" - Doug Schakel Basketball ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fLtKwrz-I6o.html 18) "How to Fix a Streak Shooter" - Doug Schakel Basketball ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-zOVFk5Tp_qI.html 19) "Correcting Shooting Form Flaws (#1): Mirror Rehearsal Drill" - Doug Schakel Basketball ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fk9Ut0qpZ3A.html 20)"Correcting Shooting Form Flaws (#2): One-Hand Alignment Shooting Drill" - Doug Schakel ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1iFk1jOlN6Y.html 21) "Correcting Shooting Form Flaws (#3): Finger Placement on the Ball" - Doug Schakel Basketball ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1NxnOqvtcbs.html

I don't know what to tell you about your "guide hand" trouble without seeing your shot. BTW, I prefer the term "balance hand" because it more accurately describes what the non-shooting hand is doing. In this case, the balance hand is helping to balance the ball on the "shooting platform" which is the palm and fingers of the shooting hand. Saying "guide hand" implies that the hand is actively participating in the shot. That somehow it is guiding the ball. So "no" to "guide hand" and "yes" to "balance hand." And for ease of communication, let's assume the left hand is the balance hand while the right hand is the shooting hand. The palm and fingers of the balance hand should be on the left side of the ball and it does not provide any thrusting action. When you finish your shot, the balance hand has remained neutral and will have four fingers pointing to the ceiling with the left thumb pointing behind you. Two common problems with the guide hand are: (1) Driving the left thumb (called "thumbing" the ball) through the ball, so that the left palm faces the basket which would end with your thumb pointing to the right (incorrect position). Pushing with your left thumb disrupts the backspin and destroys accuracy (the aerodynamics of true backspin cause the ball to travel in a straight line). (2) Improper placement of the guide hand, so that it either (a) sits more around toward the front of the ball or (b) sits more on top of the ball. In either case the balance hand is "in the way" and interfering with true backspin; causing inaccuracy (right and left misses). I will be doing a video on (a) correct shooting mechanics as well as (b) shooting faults and fixes this Fall. Proper and improper use of the balance hand will be one of the things covered in the video.

Certainly having only one or two baskets is challenging. Not knowing your exact circumstances, I would have two or three players per basket and have them get into a shooting rotation. i.e., Play A shoots, immediately followed by Play B, and, if you have a third player, immediately followed by Player C. Then the rotation starts over. The remaining players would be at a ball handling/dribbling station. After 8-10 minutes, the two groups change. Tough not having enough baskets. Let me know how it works out. --Doug Schakel

Thanks Doug, that sounds like a good solution! One more question: Do you use this system to also determine who is allowed to shoot from, and where, in games? If so, is it based on the average distance they get to for that week/month etc.,? If separate, what is your system for green lights/who is allowed to shoot in games? Cheers for the great videos.

This system is used to determine your range on a daily basis....so it is not an average for a week or month...you must earn your range daily....what you are capable of doing TODAY determines today's shooting range. I tell my players, "Shoot all you want...from TODAY's green light area."

So you mean they do this on game-day before games, and that determines their range for that game?

It is possible that a player's "effective shooting range" could change from one day to the next for the reasons stated in the video. Therefore, he/she must establish "today's effective shooting range" on a DAILY basis. We have a shoot around in the afternoon on home game days to help us determine effective shooting range but we also go through the same process in pre-game warmups. For away games, if the trip is fairly short, we will shoot around in our gym before leaving and, of course, repeat the process in pre-game warmups in our opponent's gym. If the trip is lengthy, we will have our shoot around in the opponent's gym. For high school teams, I would have my varsity players dressed to shoot as soon as we get off the bus...while the JV or frosh are getting dressed. If you are ever rushed for time, always start shooting in close. Don't rush out to the 3 point line! For example, sometimes you only get a 10-15 minute warmup at the state tournament. Starting in close in a gym that has a different shooting background than the one you are accustomed to, helps you to "visually lock-in" on your target.

Ozzie Robles Ozzie- The ball slipping off your hand tells me that you are a one-finger release shooter and that finger is your middle finger; the middle finger being the longest. So, in effect, just before the final push of the ball toward the basket, the middle finger is the only finger in contact with the ball. And that means you are "balancing" the ball on that one finger. Well, sometimes it "unbalances" as you thrust the ball toward the basket. And it feels like the ball "slips" to the side...which it does! The remedy is to become a two-finger release shooter. Try this: with your shooting hand fingers pointing to the ceiling, place the ball on the middle finger, with the non-shooting hand on top of the ball. Now using your non-shooting hand, roll the ball from side to side until it touches the fingers next to the middle finger. You will see that there is a lot of lateral movement of the ball. This is what can happen when you shoot; ball slips to the side. Now try this: This time, set the ball so it rests on the middle finger AND the index finger at the same time. Now try to roll the ball side to side. You immediately feel that it is harder to move the ball right and left....the two-finger release is significantly more stable than the one-finger release. In a few cases, and I fall into this category, using the middle finger and the ring finger is preferred. Here's why: Hold your hand in front of you with the four fingers all touching each other (not spread). Compare the length of the index finger to the length of the middle finger. Then compare the length of the ring finger to the middle finger. In my case, the index finger is significantly shorter than the middle finger. So when the ball is placed in contact with those two fingers, the ball tilts to the side because of these two uneven length contact points. My ring finger is quite a bit longer than the index finger. So when the ball is in contact with the ring finger and middle finger, there is way less side tilt. So those two fingers are used for my two-finger release....and I am a very good shooter. I hope this helps. If you have further questions, contact me at: dougschakel@aol.com

+Doug I tried what u said and whn I shot with my middle and ring finger I basically just shot with the index middle and ring :/

Jay Blu Before I answer your question, let me state that you can make a LOT OF SHOTS being a one-finger release shooter. But you need to accept that, occasionally, the ball will slip in your hand. So if you have had good success, overall, as a one-finger shooter....I would be careful about trying to change to a two-finger release. Old saying, "Be slow to discard that which has stood the test of time." Having said that, I will move on to the two-finger release discussion: Now, my first question is: which is your second longest finger....the index or the ring finger? Please note that I find, in some cases, those two fingers are the SAME length. I just finished conducting a skills camp at a high school in Wyoming (June 25-26). 100% of the campers said they felt the ball slip to the side some of the time which means every one of them was a one-finger release shooter. 50% of the campers found their index finger to be the second longest. 30% said their ring finger was the second longest. And 20% said the two fingers were the SAME length. Are your two fingers the same length? In your case, the only way you could feel the ball come off all three fingers at the same time is if they are ALL roughly the same length. If your index and ring fingers are roughly the same length, I suspect you feel both of them, equally, pushing the ball, along with the middle finger. BUT, at the last possible instant, the middle finger (if it is longer than the other two) is the only finger touching the ball. Can't be any other way; if the middle finger is the longest. Here is how to test which release shoots the ball the straightest FOR YOU: rotate the ball and find where the channels/seams of the ball CROSS each other. I would describe that area of the ball as the "side" of the ball. TEST #1: Place your shooting hand MIDDLE finger exactly where the two channels/seams cross each other AND in line with one of those seams. That means your middle finger is in a straight line with one of those cross seams. With your hand behind the ball and ready to shoot, that seam will be VERTICAL. If the ball rotates around in a perfect circle when you shoot, that seam would appear as a straight line the entire time. But if the ball doesn't rotate perfectly, the seam will appear to wobble. Shoot the ball straight up in the air several times and observe that seam and how much wobble the seam does or doesn't have. TEST#2: Place your INDEX finger and MIDDLE finger so they STRADDLE the place where the seams cross. With your hand behind the ball and ready to shoot, the seam will be between those two fingers and it will, again, be VERTICAL. Shoot the ball straight up in the air several times and observe how much wobble the seam does or doesn't have. TEST #3: Place your MIDDLE finger and and RING finger so they STRADDLE the place where the seams cross. With your hand behind the ball and ready to shoot, the seam will be between those two fingers and it will, again, be VERTICAL. Shoot the ball straight up in the air several times and observe how much wobble the seam does or doesn't have. Which test produced the least wobble? That release will produce the straightest shot. BUT LET ME STATE AGAIN, if you are having reasonably good success shooting the ball the way you currently do....I would suggest staying with it. Pretty long-winded answer. Hope it helps. --Coach Schakel

Doug Schakel Thanks coach ! Im not sure if I am a 1 finger release shooter or if I have a four finger release like klay thompson which he has all four of his fingers pointing to the ground. :/ I wouldnt want the ball slipping out of my hand when you mentioned all your campers were middle finger release shooters. I had some sucess using both both releases but I want to make sure when I have basketball tryouts I have one that gives me the better chance of making the shot.

Danny- Go to "Doug Schakel You Tube" and watch the "How to Fix Your Shooting Slump" video. I think you will find your answer there. --Coach Schakel

+Vamphersi Really no secret here....you need to work mid-range shots into your workouts. The key is to shoot them "on the move" because, unlike a lot of player's three point attempts, you will not be taking any stationary mid-range jumpers. So, shoot them off the dribble or throw a reverse spin pass out in front of you, move forward to catch the ball off the bounce, and rise up to shoot. You might find that you have too much leg power for a mid-range shot and the result will be that you feel like you need to "take something off your shot." And, by doing so, you will "short arm" some mid-range shots. A better way to take some leg power out of the mid-range shot is to pause, just a little, at the highest part of your jump and then shoot. Because you are shooting a lot of shots on the move, you may find yourself getting tired and out of breath. When that happens, go to the free throw line and shoot free throws until your breathing returns to normal. Then you are ready to return to shooting your mid-range jumpers. Every time you get out of breath, go back to the free throw line. That way you can practice your mid-range shots at "game speed" all the time. Good luck in your quest to add a mid-range jumper to your "basketball tool bag!" --Coach Schakel

+firetypehunter27 Send your e-mail address to me at: dougschakel@aol.com and I will reply, personally.

Lala- My e-mail address is: dougschakel@aol.com E-mail me and let me know what your problem is and how I can help you fix it. --Coach Schakel

Yes, you can jump on every shot.

If you will look at parts of two other shooting videos we have, I will explain hand placement. Search "Doug Schakel You Tube" and click on the video "Correcting Shooting Form Flaws (#1):"Mirror Rehearsal Drill" and watch from the 12:23 mark to the 13:53 mark. I show you hand placement here. Next search "Doug Schakel You Tube" again and go to the video "Correcting Shooting Form Flaws (#2): "One-Hand Alignment Drill." This will give another pretty clear picture of hand placement from the 5:58 mark to the 8:02 mark. I hope that helps. --Coach Schakel

+Doug Schakel alright, thanks

Omar- You make a great point. Having adequate facilities certainly is needed. Truthfully, I'm not sure what I would do if I were faced with lack of baskets. I hope you are not describing your own situation....that certainly handicaps you! --Doug Schakel

If you go to "Doug Schakel Basketball - RU-vid" you will find 8 videos on "how" to shoot a basketball. Best- Doug Schakel