3 Reasons Why Form Shooting Should be Important to You

Form Shooting is a type of shooting method where each item of the technique is broken down into more easily manageable pieces and corrections made accordingly. Form shooting allows for a coach or player to spend time with their shot ironing out any particular flaw that maybe having a significant affect upon their overall shot. Players of all ages, skill levels and abilities need to employ the strategy of form shooting to better manage their shot and always be improving.

The action of performing a Set Shot or Jump Shot in basketball are very complex movement, and are readily changed due to contact from defenders, distance from the basketball hoop and situation in which the action is undertaken. The complexity of the action can hide little weaknesses within an individual’s technique. If enough of these little “one percenters” are present, they can have a problematic effect upon the shot.

Creates an Opportunity Isolate an Element of the Shooting Action

Form shooting’s real strength is in the fact it allows itself to have the basic mechanics of shooting broken down, slowed and a high level of explicit feedback provide about each repetition. This does not mean a coach speaks volumes about the action, but rather provide simple feedback more frequently, and specifically, about a particular part of the players shooting form.

For example an error in a player’s shooting arm can be isolated by having a player shoot with one arm and so feedback more specifically mentioned about this area.

Allows for more Time Coaching

By employing the tactic of form shooting a coach gives themselves more repetitions, and more time to analysis and evaluate a players shooting action. This helps immensely with player development as many more repetitions can be seen by a coach, and then commented upon. Identifying the issues is one step, but allowing a player time to implement the correction while still receiving feedback is one of the other significant benefits of form shooting.

It is a common situation where a coach provides feedback to a player and because of time restrictions when working with groups that they are not able to follow-up on the instructions outcome on an ongoing basis. If using form shooting in an individual or small group context this issue can be overcome.

All relationships in a team sport are based around time. Taking the time to work with a player specifically around their functional shot action is a great way for a coach to build a strong bond of trust by demonstrating their investment in the athlete.

Allows for Development of Self-Coaching

Players often hear very similar messages from different coaches. The steps in performing a set or jump shot are well known by many coaches. What can be of benefit when form shooting, is because of the repetition and specific instructions given to the player. The feedback becomes heavily personalised and tailored to the individual. This makes remembering the instruction easier for the player and more meaningful.

Coaches should look to take this benefit of the individualised instruction further by questioning players about their own form shooting after providing some consistent feedback and instruction. Players will then start to critique their own action.

A further benefit of this happening in an individualised or small group session, is that a coach can then provide feedback on the perception of the player about what they feel is wrong with their shooting action. This empowers a player to not only make a difference in their own shot, but provides an opportunity for a coach to try and shift the perception (if correct) about what an athlete feels is wrong.

Form shooting is a very valuable tool in dealing with improving a player’s shooting action. Implemented well and the strategy behind form shooting not only provides opportunity for a player to learn from their own mistakes, but creates another coach on the floor.