Alright, so I finally got out to the court today. Been meaning to put in some real work, not just fooling around. The body felt a bit creaky, you know? Like an old door. But the smell of the gym, that worn-out basketball – it always gets me going.
Focusing In: That Sweet Shot
Today, I really wanted to drill down on my shooting. Pure and simple. You watch some of these guys, these pure shooters in the game, and it’s just art. I was thinking about that kid, Justin Powell, saw some clips a while back. Smooth stroke. Makes you wanna get your own shot that clean. Not saying I’m gonna be him, far from it, but it’s good inspiration, right?
So, I started super close to the basket. Form shooting. That’s always the first step. Felt a bit rusty, not gonna lie. My guide hand was doing its own thing for a bit, elbow flaring out. Had to really talk to myself, slow it all down.
- One-hand shots, just focusing on the release.
- Then bringing the guide hand in, making sure it’s just there for support, not interfering.
- Lots of reps. Boring, maybe, but necessary.
After a good while, I started moving back. Mid-range. Spot shooting. Pick a spot, take five shots, move to the next. I wasn’t counting makes as much as I was focusing on how each shot felt. Was the rhythm good? Was the release consistent? That’s the stuff that matters in the long run. It’s easy to get frustrated when they’re not falling, but if the form is breaking down, you’re just practicing bad habits.
I remember this one time, years ago, I went into a slump. Couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn. I kept shooting more and more, faster and faster, thinking I could just shoot my way out of it. Terrible idea. Just dug myself a deeper hole. Learned my lesson then: gotta go back to basics.
The Long Ball and Wrapping Up
Eventually, I stepped out to the three-point line. Now, this is where you really feel it if your mechanics are off. That Powell kid, he’s got that effortless range. For me, it’s less effortless, more… effort-full. Ha! But I tried to keep the same principles. Legs, core, follow-through. Some went in, some clanked hard. That’s the game.
I made sure to do some free throws in between, too. Crucial. Can’t be a shooter if you’re bricking free throws. Spent a solid hour and a half out there, just me and the ball and the hoop. By the end, I was pretty gassed, but in a good way. My shot felt a bit smoother than when I started, and that’s a win.
It’s funny, isn’t it? You can play for years, but you’re always, always tweaking, always learning. There’s no magic pill. Just showing up, putting in the reps. Seeing guys like Powell hit those tough shots, it’s a good reminder of the dedication it takes. Consistency is king. And that’s what I was chasing today. A little bit more consistency. We’ll see how it feels next time.
