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Basketball Tips to Overcome Basketball Shooting Slumps
Jeff Haefner
No matter how much you practice or how good of a shooter
you usually are, there will be times when for a variety of
reasons you find that you are having trouble making shots.
Left untreated or reacted to wrongly, these slumps can turn
into major confidence busters and can distract you so that
you are not effective in other aspects of the game either.
Here are 5 basketball tips to break you out of shooting
slumps.
I guarantee that one of these basketball tricks will break
you out of your slump. We've used these techniques over and
over to break kids out of shooting slumps that, left untreated,
could have become season-long problems.
1) Don't hesitate.
When you catch the ball, immediately go into your shot motion
without hesitating. Sometimes a fast break jump shot or a
quick shot are the ones you make. If you get in your shot
motion quick enough, you won't have time to think. (Now, don't
rush; just catch and shoot immediately.)
2) Don't think.
You should think during practice but never think during
games. You've made thousands of shots during practice
and games. You've developing muscle memory by practicing your
shot over and over. It's not like you're suddenly going to
forget how to shoot. So just shoot the ball and don't think.
Thinking is your enemy. Clear your mind and never analyze
your shot during a game. It does no good!
3) Practice.
The best place to deal with a slump is in a practice setting.
Without the pressure of a competition, you can focus your
energy and attention on getting out of your slump. The best
way to deal with a slump during a practice session is to groove
your shot with form shooting close to the basket. This will
rebuild your confidence and establish a positive momentum
in your attitude and confidence. Move back a little at a time
as you meet with consistent success at each increasing distance.
(Of course, you can also use form shooting during half-time
of a game to try to get yourself out of a slump. Your time,
however, is pretty limited.)
4) Try this unique trick that clears your mind.
If you have a really bad slump that you just can't bust out
of, try this technique…
This unique process erases the "negative shooting memories"
in your mind and replaces them with good ones.
Step 1 - Shoot 5 shots about 8 feet from the basket.
Step 2 - Now shoot with your left hand (or weak hand),
5 shots.
Step 3 - Go to the free throw line. Again, shoot with
your left hand (or weak hand), 5 shots.
Step 4 - Step back behind the three point line. Shoot
10 shots with your left hand.
Step 5 - Go to half court. Shoot 10 shots with your
strong hand.
Step 6 - Stand on one leg. Shoot 10 shots with your
strong hand. Concentrate! Try to make the shots.
Step 7 - Close one eye, while standing on one leg.
Shoot 10 shots with your strong hand. (You probably won't
touch the rim, but that's ok, keep trying to make it.)
Step 8 - Now switch to your left (off) hand. Close
one eye, while standing on one leg. Shoot 10 shots. Seriously
try to make it. Do your absolute BEST to make the shot. Concentrate!
Step 9 - Now, go into your shooting range and shoot
some mid-range jump shots with your right hand. Don't worry
if you make any shots. That's not important. Just shoot, don't
think. The shot should feel really easy for you now.
Stroke some nice easy shots for a while. If you have more
range step back a little bit and stroke a few more shots.
Every time you shoot, say under your breath, "Nice shot, I
can do better." Don't worry if you make the shot. Tell yourself
it doesn't matter.
I can almost guarantee that you're making more shots than
you've ever made in your life.
You have probably already snapped yourself out of the slump.
Those "negative memories" have now faded. Have fun with your
shot, and just shoot, don't think.
If you start slipping back into your slump, try this routine
again. Usually one routine will fix the problem, if not two
or three times will most certainly do the trick.
(People watching might think you're crazy, but this silly
mental compression trick can break you out of even the worst
shooting slump.)
5) Positive attitude.
Keep a watch on your attitude as you work your way through
slumps. If you find yourself muttering negative comments after
misses, counter that with some positive phrases and make it
point to say them after every shot, make or miss. Remember
that you will be a more accurate shooter if you are relaxed.
If you are down on yourself, you are certainly not relaxed
and not even heading in that direction.
Watch your attitude toward teammates, too. If you encourage
your teammates through their shooting struggles, you will
be building a team attitude that will help you if you.
So, the next time you find yourself in a shooting slump, try
these basketball tips to help break you out of your slump.
Jeff Haefner is the owner of breakthroughbasketball.com.
For 20 Free Basketball
Tips, Tricks and Secrets, visit www.breakthroughbasketball.com/toptips.html
Article Source: www.breakthroughbasketball.com
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