Confused Basketball Player

Nasser22 · May 12th, 2006, 10:14 PM

Yeah, so I play basketball a lot now. I quit playing for almost a year but I got back into playing a lot months ago. And so I started playing again and after a little while my shooting was perfect. For over a month I was shooting the ball like I used to, but over the last month i've just been horrible. I don't make my shots like I used to and it just doesen't feel right when I shoot. I miss badly too. Airballs and hitting the top of the backboard. It's just like one day I started playing and sucked all of a suddent. I'm so confused lol. It's so weird. Are there any other basketball players here that can help me figure this out? It's the weirdest thing that has ever happened to me.

thirty-two · May 12th, 2006, 11:01 PM

Try going back to basics for a bit. Shoot close to the basket, watching your form.

Start by shooting 50 shots on each side of the lower block (using the back board) and 50 shots on each side parallel to the baseline. Then slowly work your way out. Concentrate on your form and using your legs.

green machine · May 12th, 2006, 11:58 PM

I've found that the more I've played the more tired my legs have gotten and thus my jump shooting is terribly off, mostly becaus I'm not getting my normal lift.

Not to say I was ever a good shooter or ever really jumped high, I just am having that problem myself right now.

CardFan67 · May 13th, 2006, 06:38 AM

My experiences have been, when I ever get "back in to" a sport I seem to excel. Then I play more and more and get a little worse until I flatten out... The flat play level is still usually very good but when first revisiting each sport I am on fire...

Golf - Stopped for a few years with an average of about 93. Start playing again, initially hit an 82, then gradually add a few strokes until my average is back to 92 / 93.

Basketball - same thing, start up again and can thread a shot about 75% of the time. Keep playing and it seems my percentage just works it way down...

I think when you first get back in to something you don't put much weight on being good, you just play, you don't expect to be good because you are out of practice... The lack of inhibition is what takes of the stress and lets you really play... My golf for example, after a few rounds I am making micro adjustments trying to get every single aspect just right... that only makes me try too hard and causes more errors, same with Basketball... Raquetball... Softball (I am older so no baseball for me)...

At least that is how it works for me...

nathan · May 13th, 2006, 06:58 AM

It might be cancer. Get yourself checked out immediately.

boisesuns · May 13th, 2006, 12:04 PM

Shoot Free Throws. Shoot at all points around the Key. Try keeping your elbow straight and release at the top of your shot. I took some time off from ball and have started it up again. The things that were there will come back, you just have to train the muscles to remember the correct form.

MigratingOsprey · May 13th, 2006, 04:22 PM

doesn't take much to throw a shot off - focus on shooting from spots, keeping your form in tact and focusing through the rim - keep your body pretty rigid while you shoot to isolate just the mechanics of the shot

shoot a lot and take time to reset before each shot - square up the shoulders and just relax and shoot

nothing upsets me more than when I start missing shots and i've gone through slumps - usually it has to do with getting tired and letting my mechanics get sloppy - i'm not much of a leg shooter, so when my shot goes it usually is that i'm falling out of the shot too soon, twisting my feet up, or letting my elbow go too loose

NEZCardsfan · May 15th, 2006, 07:14 AM

How big are you??

There is more to basketball than firing up long range shots.

If I miss my first few shots....I run right to the low block. Clean the glass. Learn how to play with your back to the basket. If you develop a little jump hook and an up and under move, you'll get your share of points.

Offensive rebounds, put backs. Set some picks. Roll to the basket. Most people I play with are happy to pass to you if you set some solid picks for them.

thirty-two · May 15th, 2006, 07:15 AM

Okay, so the general consensus of the thread is to go back to the block, work your way out!

Good luck!

DjaugheOld · May 15th, 2006, 07:38 AM

Go back to using a men's regulation basketball.

Hope this helps.

NEZCardsfan · May 15th, 2006, 08:14 AM

You were shooting lights out, then all of the sudden you are airballing and drilling it off the top of the backboard??

Did you start missing everything short, first?? Now are you overcompensating??

Something is wrong with your balance if you are shooting that erratically. Seriously sounds like an inner ear problem or something.

nathan · May 15th, 2006, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nm132

It might be cancer. Get yourself checked out immediately.

An elbow tumor could really effect your follow through.

D-Dogg · May 15th, 2006, 11:03 AM

It may sound dumb, but truly you need to not think about it. Just go out and play. Sounds like you tried to make an adjustment, and it didn't work, and now you are thinking your shot off.

If you already know the shooting mechanics and are good at them, just playing will fix your problem. Also, are you lifting weights before playing? That will kill your shot.

If playing without concentrating on your shot doesn't work, try this:

Do some Mikan Drills (under the basket make a right layup with right hand catch the ball from the net and go right back up on the left side with left hand. rinse, lather, repeat). This will force you to just think about putting the ball in the basket and not worry about your touch.

Lay on your back on the ground and shoot the ball up in the air over and over (it should return back to you, center of the chest, and makes you just flick your wrist). I'm thinking that perhaps you were maybe trying to launch some long range shots and aren't using your wrist as much...trying to get some power to your shot through your arm (when it really comes from your legs) and your wrist isn't flicking like it should.

CardFan67 · May 15th, 2006, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-Dogg

It may sound dumb, but truly you need to not think about it. Just go out and play. Sounds like you tried to make an adjustment, and it didn't work, and now you are thinking your shot off.

That is kind of what I meant to imply... too much thought and over concentration often really messes up a game...

Linderbee · May 15th, 2006, 01:16 PM

I think (personally) that the bad guys in "Space Jam" stole your mojo. Just look what it did to Sir Charles...