Obviously it isn’t enough for a player to be a good shooter, but all players need to develop a soft shooting touch and a range of shots appropriate to their positions.
The difficulty is that unguarded shooting in an open gym or on the playground isn’t enough preparation for shooting in game conditions.
Players have to practice shooting as they come off of a dribble, as they receive a pass, as they cut or pivot or come off a screen. When practice sessions duplicate game conditions, through, the immediate rewards of shooting drills make them a favorite part of practice.
The lay-up is a high percentage shot, but it’s easy enough to miss, too.
Lay-up drilsl should be practiced from both sides of the basket, and players should be required to use the backboard because the backboard minimizes the chances of error. On the shot, the shooter’s shoulders should be at a forty-five degree angle to the backboard.
When a player approaches the basket from a drive down the middle of the key, there has to be a slight change of strategy. If it is possible to make the shot from one side of the basket or the other, fine. If not, the player should not try to use the backboard, but instead try to drop the ball just over the front of the rim.
