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Click here to see the video: Basketball Shooting: Catch and Shoot

Coach Bill Thom: In this segment, we’re going to work on catching and shooting. Again, we’re going to work very close to the basket because I think it’s important that you don’t worry how far out you are, that you’re working on good form and we’re developing great habits.
So the first thing Ian wants to do is get his knees bent and be ready to catch the ball. He wants to give the target for the passer. He always wants to ‘beg’ for the ball; he wants to be down, ready to catch the ball and be a good shooter. Don’t pass it yet, Shaun. As he catches, the biggest key is not to dip the ball, because if he dips the ball down, he’s going to lose precious time and a defender will get close to him and probably disallow the shot.

So, we want to make sure that we catch and go up with the shot immediately. So, it’s catch, and up. We use that phrase a lot when we’re teaching shooter – catch, up. So right now, Shaun’s going to pass to his hand, Ian’s going to catch, go up and shoot the ball. Hold his follow-through – again, Shaun’s going to rebound it, pass it to Ian, catch and up. All right, let’s go again – hands are ready, knees are bent, catch and up, hold your follow-through. One more time – pass it, catch and up. Very good.

Again, to reinforce what we’re trying to do: Ian’s knees are bent, he’s ready to go off his feet and shoot the ball, his hands are up with the target, (the) passer wants to hit the shooter in his hands. As we catch the ball, again, what we don’t want to do is dip the ball down. We want to catch and go up to the basket, all right? So that’s what we’re trying to accomplish with this drill.