My thoughts on our shooters....
Good consistent shooters have the following:
1. Slight turn
2. Elbow aligned with hand (no chicken wing)
3. Ball release off pointing or middle finger (or both)
4. Left hand on side of ball - not used in the shot
4a. Some shooter use left thumb flick - ok with that but it can quickly devolve to too much left hand
5. Good arc
6. Natural shooting ability. Some kids shoot perfectly but their brain just can't figure out the right amount of force consistently
Good shooters rarely miss to the left or the right. They are either long or short but straight.
Here's my take on our shooters
Hammond - good form, uses left hand a bit too much. Look at still pics of his shot and you'll see his hand facing forward. It's because he rotates his hand during shot. If he starts missing to the left or right it's because of too much left hand.
Schutt - good form, not enough arc. If you don't shoot with much arc you have to be more accurate on the amount of force you use. I think Schutt would be a lights out shooter if he had more arc in his shot.
Neo - generally good shooting form - he's just mental midget currently when it comes to shooting. No confidence. Sometimes his left hand is more on top of ball instead of side. But I think he's just in a slump. Needs to shoot alot after practice.
Bedford - good form except he uses his left hand in his shot. Sometimes alot. Also, sometimes ball seems to come off his 3rd, 4th, and pinkie fingers. That's what I see sometimes live, but I've never seen a still photo showing it. Using alot of left hand (and maybe the bad release at times) make him a streaky shooter. He also misses badly to the left or right which means he's not a consistent shooter.
Hansberry - shoots with a chicken wing. Is prone to being streaky and inconsistent because of that.
Lawal - unfortunately someone drilled into him feet and shoulders square to the basket. No turn in his stance. Too much tension in his shot - he's prone to inconsistency.
You guys agree with this, disagree? Lemme know.
Posted: 01/28/2026 at 09:44 AM ET
Thread Replies (27)
My thoughts on our shooters....
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-- HokieHill
Jan 28, 2026 at 09:44 AM ET
HokieHill
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01/28/26 09:44 AM ET
It is INCREDIBLY difficult to change the shooting form...
-- GCHokie34
Jan 28, 2026 at 11:40 AM ET
GCHokie34
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01/28/26 11:40 AM ET
Amazes me that players make it to college level with hideous form…
-- VTKev80
Jan 28, 2026 at 12:35 PM ET
VTKev80
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01/28/26 12:35 PM ET
"He shot with his right hand with the ball to the left side of his head"
-- Windows NT
Jan 28, 2026 at 12:44 PM ET
Windows NT
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01/28/26 12:44 PM ET
One nitpick - I may disagree about the jumping in the box...
-- HokieHill
Jan 28, 2026 at 11:59 AM ET
HokieHill
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01/28/26 11:59 AM ET
Again...we aren't talking about turning someone into Steph Curry
-- GCHokie34
Jan 28, 2026 at 12:07 PM ET
GCHokie34
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01/28/26 12:07 PM ET
I thought the other day, Neo should take the fadeaway out of his arsenal.
-- Femoyer Hokie
Jan 28, 2026 at 12:37 PM ET
Femoyer Hokie
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01/28/26 12:37 PM ET
BTW - enjoying discussion - appreciate your responses....
-- HokieHill
Jan 28, 2026 at 12:13 PM ET
HokieHill
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01/28/26 12:13 PM ET
Agree, and I would add finishing with a consistent release point**
-- Hoke
Jan 28, 2026 at 11:47 AM ET
Hoke
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01/28/26 11:47 AM ET
I agree - they are what they are - but
-- HokieHill
Jan 28, 2026 at 11:46 AM ET
HokieHill
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01/28/26 11:46 AM ET
In a perfect world with unlimited time, sure...
-- GCHokie34
Jan 28, 2026 at 11:52 AM ET
GCHokie34
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01/28/26 11:52 AM ET
I agree with you - I'm not communicating well....
-- HokieHill
Jan 28, 2026 at 12:20 PM ET
HokieHill
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01/28/26 12:20 PM ET
#5 is the issue for both Shutt and Neo. Shots are pancake flat. Of . .
-- MidloHokie
Jan 28, 2026 at 11:37 AM ET
MidloHokie
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01/28/26 11:37 AM ET
Need to hire you for the physical techniques and me for mental techniques &
-- Stech
Jan 28, 2026 at 10:25 AM ET
Stech
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01/28/26 10:25 AM ET
Yep - MY calls it a rut...
-- HokieHill
Jan 28, 2026 at 10:30 AM ET
HokieHill
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01/28/26 10:30 AM ET
Hate ain’t great, it just helps to debilitate!! Dumbest thing ever for it!!
-- Stech
Jan 28, 2026 at 10:47 AM ET
Stech
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01/28/26 10:47 AM ET
Good points. Should be made with each guy at each practice. **
-- George Baylor
Jan 28, 2026 at 10:02 AM ET
George Baylor
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01/28/26 10:02 AM ET
athletes don't think about techniques when shooting
-- Windows NT
Jan 28, 2026 at 09:52 AM ET
Windows NT
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01/28/26 09:52 AM ET
This seems part of Neo's issue. Sometimes he almost appears . .
-- MidloHokie
Jan 28, 2026 at 11:39 AM ET
MidloHokie
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01/28/26 11:39 AM ET
imo neo has a nice shooting stroke
-- Windows NT
Jan 28, 2026 at 11:44 AM ET
Windows NT
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01/28/26 11:44 AM ET
Zactly. Pull the trigger!!! I think his brain is getting the way :)**
-- MidloHokie
Jan 28, 2026 at 12:18 PM ET
MidloHokie
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01/28/26 12:18 PM ET
Young players should be taught proper form to build good muscle memory
-- HokieHill
Jan 28, 2026 at 09:59 AM ET
HokieHill
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01/28/26 09:59 AM ET
but you're saying all should have the same technique. which is incorrect**
-- Windows NT
Jan 28, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET
Windows NT
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01/28/26 10:00 AM ET
Consistent technique or form is more important than perfect technique.
-- wwhokie1
Jan 28, 2026 at 10:32 AM ET
wwhokie1
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01/28/26 10:32 AM ET
like any sport esp golf, consistency is the key
-- Windows NT
Jan 28, 2026 at 10:33 AM ET
Windows NT
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01/28/26 10:33 AM ET
I'm not - but the 5 things I mention are part of every good shooters form
-- HokieHill
Jan 28, 2026 at 10:27 AM ET
HokieHill
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01/28/26 10:27 AM ET