What if I told you that one of the most under taught aspects of the game is also one of the most vital in determining your team's success?
What is it you ask?
Shot Selection
Thread ⏰ 👇👇👇
What is it you ask?
Shot Selection
Thread ⏰ 👇👇👇
1/ Define it
If we don’t define to our players what good and bad shots are, how are they supposed to know?
The definition also can’t be simplistic or binary (good/bad), that isn’t nuanced enough.
So let’s define it with more detail.
If we don’t define to our players what good and bad shots are, how are they supposed to know?
The definition also can’t be simplistic or binary (good/bad), that isn’t nuanced enough.
So let’s define it with more detail.
2/ The Chart
We use a shot selection chart that was created by our founder Dick DeVenzio. Here it is:
9 - A gimme
7- Open shot in your range
5- Average shot, typically contested
3- Third grade shot/heavily contested - shot you typically see a 3rd grader throwing up
We use a shot selection chart that was created by our founder Dick DeVenzio. Here it is:
9 - A gimme
7- Open shot in your range
5- Average shot, typically contested
3- Third grade shot/heavily contested - shot you typically see a 3rd grader throwing up
3/ The elusive 10
Why doesn’t the chart start with a 10? A wide open layup is a sure thing.
I agree it is... except when it’s not. There are no 10’s because even great players miss wide open layups/dunks.
Why doesn’t the chart start with a 10? A wide open layup is a sure thing.
I agree it is... except when it’s not. There are no 10’s because even great players miss wide open layups/dunks.
4/ 9’s
These are the top shot on the chart. Wide open layups with no defenders challenging the shot.
The mission of every possession is to create a 9.
These are the top shot on the chart. Wide open layups with no defenders challenging the shot.
The mission of every possession is to create a 9.
5/ 7’s
An open shot in your range.
As you are building an offense and teaching your players to hunt 9’s, be sure they understand that often the defense won’t give them up.
But in the process of taking away the 9's they will give up a 7.
An open shot in your range.
As you are building an offense and teaching your players to hunt 9’s, be sure they understand that often the defense won’t give them up.
But in the process of taking away the 9's they will give up a 7.
6/ 5’s
Contested shot in your range
As a coach these aren't the one's that excite us and can be hard to explain.
While they don’t lose you the game individually, if your team can’t learn to pass these up to seek out 7’s and 9’s then they will lose it for you collectively.
Contested shot in your range
As a coach these aren't the one's that excite us and can be hard to explain.
While they don’t lose you the game individually, if your team can’t learn to pass these up to seek out 7’s and 9’s then they will lose it for you collectively.
7a/ 3’s
The dreaded third grade shot.
The one that is so contested, so uncalled for, and so awful that is can bring out the worst in even the most even keeled coach.
They often end in airballs, backboard only or blocked shots.
The dreaded third grade shot.
The one that is so contested, so uncalled for, and so awful that is can bring out the worst in even the most even keeled coach.
They often end in airballs, backboard only or blocked shots.
7b/ These are the shots that you must avoid at all costs. Simply put, they lose games and crush souls.
Players must understand if they are shooting a shot they can find at anytime, it isn’t a shot worth taking.
These can only be acceptable to you if it's the end of the clock.
Players must understand if they are shooting a shot they can find at anytime, it isn’t a shot worth taking.
These can only be acceptable to you if it's the end of the clock.
8/ How to teach it?
Video is the best way. Analyze full games & watch shots with your team to help them better understand.
Conversations with them during practice 1 v 1. Ask questions, “What # do you think that shot was?”
Celebrate 7’s and 9’s, ignore the 5’s, call out 3’s.
Video is the best way. Analyze full games & watch shots with your team to help them better understand.
Conversations with them during practice 1 v 1. Ask questions, “What # do you think that shot was?”
Celebrate 7’s and 9’s, ignore the 5’s, call out 3’s.
9/ Teaching shot selection can be tricky!
At our @PGCBasketball summer sessions we spend a ton of time breaking this down for players and coaches.
We have spots open for athletes and observing coaches!!
Go sign up for a session in your area today: pgcbasketball.com/schedule-locat…
At our @PGCBasketball summer sessions we spend a ton of time breaking this down for players and coaches.
We have spots open for athletes and observing coaches!!
Go sign up for a session in your area today: pgcbasketball.com/schedule-locat…
10/ A confident 5 is better than a hesitant 7.
The difference between a 5 and 7 is small, the last thing you want is to create hesitancy. Keep teaching the difference, but also remember to do it in a way that protects their confidence.
The difference between a 5 and 7 is small, the last thing you want is to create hesitancy. Keep teaching the difference, but also remember to do it in a way that protects their confidence.
11a/ The number depends on the shooter.
If a solid HS shooter shoots a 3 from 30 feet away this is a 3. If Steph Curry does that it is a 7.
Whether a shot is a 3, 5 or 7 depends on the shooter and their skill set.
If a solid HS shooter shoots a 3 from 30 feet away this is a 3. If Steph Curry does that it is a 7.
Whether a shot is a 3, 5 or 7 depends on the shooter and their skill set.
11b/ Often players watch D1 or pro basketball and think just because a tough/contested shot is a good shot for KD that it is a good shot for them.
It is important to teach them that those players have trained 1,000’s of hours to make those high % shots.
It is important to teach them that those players have trained 1,000’s of hours to make those high % shots.
12/ Go from 5 to 7 to 9.
Aka the EXTRA PASS!!!
We all teach our players to pass up good shots for great shots, now that idea is more definitive.
Teach them to pass up the 5 to get their teammate a 7 or 9.
Aka the EXTRA PASS!!!
We all teach our players to pass up good shots for great shots, now that idea is more definitive.
Teach them to pass up the 5 to get their teammate a 7 or 9.
13/ I got to the paint, so that means shoot right?
When players get to the paint they believe they have earned the right to finish, no matter the D.
Some of the worst shots in basketball happen at the rim, there are 3s, 5s, 7s and 9s all to be found in there. Choose wisely!
When players get to the paint they believe they have earned the right to finish, no matter the D.
Some of the worst shots in basketball happen at the rim, there are 3s, 5s, 7s and 9s all to be found in there. Choose wisely!
14/ “That which gets measured gets improved.”
Go through your film and chart each shot by giving it a number. Figure out what your avg shot is for that game.
Now do that after every game so you can track your teams progress & have a more data driven approach to shot selection.
Go through your film and chart each shot by giving it a number. Figure out what your avg shot is for that game.
Now do that after every game so you can track your teams progress & have a more data driven approach to shot selection.
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