Quick wins in shooting
I’ll start off with some personal news this time. I’m very excited to join very soon the Ángeles de Ciudad de México as their head coach in the CIBACOPA league!
The league is known for its intense game schedule, often 4 games a week. It’s a huge challenge and will be a hell of a ride. I can’t wait to get started!
But despite this packed season, I’ll make it a key goal to help improve each single player on the roster.
One area where I consistently am looking for progress is shooting. This doesn’t throw you off too much, I guess…?
At the end of the day, the game of basketball is still a game 5X5 where you score points by throwing tha ball in the rim ;-).
We can joke about it, but I’m still amazed on how shooting is not a top priority for a lot of coaches in the business…
And when it comes down to shooting, I notice that most coaches have an all-or-nothing approach.
Finding the Middle Ground
On one side, some avoid touching a player’s shot entirely, afraid of disrupting their mechanics and habits in the middle of a season. On the other hand, you have coaches who insist on rebuilding a shot from scratch, starting at the rim with one-handed drills. It’s as if there’s no middle ground.
In my experience, small changes can make a big difference. As the head coach at EuroProBasket in Valencia these past 4 years, I’ve worked with around 1000 different players on both short- and long-term timelines. I’ve seen firsthand how focusing on the right areas can lead to quick improvements without a complete overhaul.
One of the most effective adjustments? RHYTHM.
The Importance of Rhythm
Many players spend hours shooting in their free time. But too often, I see them taking static shots without rhythm. It’s not game-like. Shots like these won’t help them perform better when it matters most.
Instead, every shot should simulate game conditions. A practice shot taken in rhythm—whether off a pass, in transition, or after a move—is far more valuable. I always tell my players: “Better to take 10 shots in rhythm rather than 100 without purpose.”
A few summers ago, I had the chance to work closely with NBA shooting coach Dave Love. This experience, working individually with top Euroleague players, was a gamechanger for me as a coach when it comes down to shooting. I’ll share more about those lessons in a future article.
Learning from the Pros
To illustrate the importance of rhythm, I’ve created a breakdown video featuring two elite players in Europe: Kassius Robertson and Semi Ojeleye.
In the video, you’ll see how they maintain rhythm in various catch-and-shoot scenarios: static, in transition, lateral movement in the corner, coming off screens, …
And players can prefer 1-2 step stop or a one-motion stop, that’s not my biggest concern at this point. But rhythm is non negotiable!
Today I’m sharing with you this breakdown video where I highlight some of the most important details:
Shooting doesn’t need a complete reset to improve. By focusing on rhythm and making small tweaks, players can see progress quickly. I like to call it the low hanging fruits in shooting.
As I prepare for this new adventure in Mexico, I’m excited to see how these quick wins in shooting can help my players—and my team. I’ll keep you updated on my journey!
Talk soon!
