Hey Clint -

We had him hold two shooting clinics at our school..... and at both of them, once he got this range in practice BEFORE the clinic started he didn't miss a shot in the two hours or each camp.... 4 hours NOT a miss.... amazing guy...... and he was talking a lot while he was shooting too. Do a Google search on him and see what they have to say about him.

There are pros and cons regarding rotation of the ball... but most would say that the better rotation the softer the touch... get some shooters rolls? When you are shooting the ball and releasing it.... your hand should reach into the cookie jar ( over the rim ) that should help your rotation problem... do this against the wall too.

As for the one handed shot... one dribble, get your shooting hand under the ball and bring it up slowly.... practice that part first until you are comfortable with it, THEN go into the shot part... you will be building your shot from the ground up.... I hope this helps.... let us know.

Hi
Coach Sar, I actually did a google search on George Lehman but I don't see much about him. I just saw that he had the highest three point percentage in the ABA maybe on 1972. Can't find much.
I am currently in my school's basketball team. It's my first year in this school. I don't get much playing time. I think I am better than some of the players but I just can't get the ball during offense. I know that I have a lot to improve and I am not fast because I haven't been playing any sports until two years. Our team is going to a finals and only 12 players would be able to go. I am one of the last few players in the team that would be played, but I really want to go with them. How should I make a big difference and make my coach trust me in maybe...a few weeks? Everytime I get on the court I would do good hustle and be aggressive on defense. But i can do more than that and I can't seem to prove it right now. How can I make it to the final team? How to prove to them that I am a starter player instead of a bench warmer? Thank you so much if someone can solve the problem for me.
Clint

Tough situation Clint.... ask yourself "what does this coach look for in a player?"

Then try to do your best to impress him....... make sure that you get every loose ball you can get close to..... take as many charges as you can..... Be a shut down defender.... and REBOUND. THAT would be a great start for me as the coach.

By the way, don't worry about the size of your hand..... at 6' tall I bet they are bigger than you think..... keep working on your form..... against the wall and then from short distances... working your way out..... make sure you stay comfortable... don't be jacking up threes..... play to your strengths and enjoy yourself... have some fun, this is a game.

Here is what i think the problem is: I am the tallest player in the team. My coach is playing me as Center. But to me, i feel like i don't like this position. I like to be the person in the team that does the scoring and driving in oor take the jumper or lay-up or may be draw some fouls ... that kind of player. Like a Small Forward type of player. Cause i get ignored ALL THE TIME while playing inside and i barely get to shoot during a game. Everytime when i play a pick-up game, i always like to take the ball up court and set the play. I know that i am tall and the coach wants rebounds from me, and to be such a perimeter player i need to be quick and have good dribbling skills which i don't have right now. But i would LOVE to improve my those types of skills and I just don't like playing post and get ignored.

BTW Coach Sar i just found out that it's George LEHMANN. No wonder i couldn't find anything about him. :--)

Clint

Ok Clint,

You have to ask yourself this question - Do I really want to make this team? And IF I do, am I willing to do what the coach wants me to do? Am I willing to do whatever it takes to make the team successful?

IF I am the coach and you are my tallest player, I would have you in the post also.... and from there try to get you to do the things that will make YOU successful.
Every player is different... but right now, the coach NEEDS you at center .... Be a team player, rebound and put the ball back up and IN! Play great post defense... and IF you are the tallest player you have a advantage over the rest... use that to YOUR advantage.

EVERYBODY wants to be the point guard, the scorer, the slasher, the dunker.... but not everybody can do that. Be patient... after the season is over you can work on those skills that you are telling me that you are a little lacking in. Ballhandling, quickness and shooting.

Glad that you found G. L. online... and good luck here, let us know how its going.

Ok... Maybe I would just work on my part of the game for now. But the thing that really bothers me is that I can not get the ball. The teammates are either can't see me wide open or they just turn it over. That's the sad thing about playing inside without a great point guard. Anyways... So I guess I don't need to work on my shots so far since I am playing post? And do you have some big man tips for me? Like how to draw fouls?
Please give me some suggestions. Thank you.

Good choice Clint...

First thing you need to do is to get your defender on your back.... and then .. ASK FOR THE BALL .... yell for it if you have to. You have to really want the ball IF you expect the guards to get it to you... if the defender is pressuring you ... we used to call it SITTING ON PRESSURE... get your butt into him and DONT allow him to get around you... keep moving IF you have to... but keep him on your back....
Keep one elbow holding him back also while you ask for the ball with the other hand - staying wide... the hand you ask for the ball is the one to the side he has the ball ( I hope that is clear )
Then learn a couple of simple moves... a drop step being one of them.... drop step and go to the basket strong.... concentrate on making the shot.. IF you get fouled thats a bonus... but concentrate on scoring, let the refs call the fouls..... oh yea, and don't be afraid of contact.

Check these moves out...

http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/drills/Drop-Step.html

http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/drills/Drop-Step-Counter.html

Thanks for the tips.

However when I look at the drop step, I feel like that's traveling. Can you actually do that in a game? Get the ball and just take two steps while not running? I know in the NBA you can take two steps without dribble on the run, but I didnt know you can also just take two steps when not rung.

Also what is a staggered stance? I saw Joe mentioned it many times but I don't know what's it's like. Can you explain it to me and tell me if it's good? Thanks

Ok, watch this move, it explains it pretty well and addresses your question.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOiM_0DpfQI

As for the stance... this shows you what he means... I think? Joe ??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaVibDv4WdA