Basketball Instruction/blowing layups

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Expert: - 12/11/2008


Question
my daughter is a very fast point guard.  The problem is when she steals the ball, she blows the lay up.  The ball hits the back board too hard.  Her coaches tell her to slow down, but I feel that they are a little bit off on that and need another opinion.  Do you think that she can keep her speed, but just has to think about the shot before hand and the process of the shot?>

Answer
Hi Beth,

Being an effective point guard means you have to make lay ups. The number one characteristic of a point guard is the ability to have the best ball control of any of the players on the court. This includes dribbling, stealing, passing, and making layups. It sounds like she has some talent, but lacks the ability to control herself when finishing the play. I'm not sure how old she is, but if she is young, as she gets older and matures, she will hopefully develop more control.  When she is dribbling fast down the court, tell her to slow down at that last second before she puts the ball up. Have someone stand in the lane pretending to be a defender. Have her go length of the court and drive all the way and practice slowing down at the last second and visualizing and concentrating on getting the ball in the basket. Either directly in the hoop or off the backboard. See how she responds to this drill over and over. She has to find a speed that still allows here to maintain control to the very end.

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Bret Temple

Expertise

My expertise is in the art of Officiating Basketball and I can answer questions pertaining to basketball rules; youth level through CIF High School, NCAA college and NBA rules as well. I can either help define a specific rule for you, or interpret a specific rule to clarify how other officials and I view and call the game.

Experience

I have been a Basketball Official now for over 19 years, officiating at all levels. I have attended numerous training camps throughout the years in an attempt to constantly become a better official. I have been evaluated by top Officiating organizations and I've had the honor of being selected to officiate at the highest levels including former Division 1 College and NBA players.

Organizations
NASO (National Association of Sports Officials) CBOA (California Basketball Officials Association)

Education/Credentials
El Sorrino Officials Association Accreditation CIF Certified(California Interscholastic Federation) WCPBL(West Coast Professional Baskeball League) The NBA Developmental League training

Past/Present Clients
Los Angeles City Parks and Recreation, Calabasas Basketball League, Calabasas Semi-Pro Men's League, AYBA California Interscholatic Federation, ARC League , (WCPBL)West Coast Professional Basketball League, Gary Grant Youth Basketball Program

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