The third rule of deep practice is “Slow It Down.” Yes…as they chunk it up and repeat it, we need to teach our players to slow down as well. Proper form at the outset is much more important than speed. And to teach technique, you don’t even need a ball at first.
At the Spartak Tennis Academy in Russia, players are not allowed to play in tournaments for the first three years. This academy has produced numerous No. 1 ranked women tennis players.
Players begin to rally in slow motion with an imaginary ball. Coaches then stop and adjust the swings, taking players’ arms and guiding them through the movements, so they know exactly how correct form feels.
This is sometimes how we will teach a player to shoot the basketball or perform a specific move. Remove the basketball and guide their arms in the motion or form needed.
When teaching the “lift” part of the shot, we literally will push up on their elbow to give them the feeling of rotating their shoulder instead of flexing their elbow as they bring the ball back. I think this helps tremendously. Other areas that we use this for include sweeping and ripping the basketball or making an inside-out dribble move (especially with younger players).
When we teach the shot breakdown for the first time (and even for review), we will take away the basketball. Focus on the mechanics with players using an imaginary basketball. Why? Because everything they have ever learned about shooting the basketball, including repeatedly incorrect trial-and-error attempts on their own, has been with a basketball in hand.
We take the basketball away, and in about 15 minutes, 99% of the players in camp have perfect form without the basketball. There is a reason that one of the NBA’s greatest free-throw shooters, Steve Nash, takes two imaginary foul shots before every real free throw he takes in a game.
Deep practice. Repeat it. Slow it down. Rinse and repeat.
This will build a foundation for your program through disciplined skill development. When players establish specific skills through sound technique at the outset, then repeat it over and over, they begin to see the results of hard work. This can help build a desire in young players to work harder so they get even better.
But deep practice is only the first element of developing superior talent. These skills must be imbued with inspiration, fire, and passion. Your players have to be excited about the program and the goals they can achieve. Coyle calls this motivational challenge “ignition.”
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Mike Lee Basketball Services trains thousands of middle school through NBA players across the country each year in their skill development training, camps and coaches Academies. The owner, Mike Lee, is also a former Nike Girls Skills Academy instructor and former assistant director for the Stephen Curry Skills Academy. Recently the company has authored 7 skill development DVDs and created miSkillz Online Basketball training. To host an event in your city please email mike@mikeleebasketball.com
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Click here for more information on Daniel Coyle and The Talent Code