Expert: Michael Muro - 3/27/2005

Question
I have a 14yr old grandaughter who is an excellent shooter--however when shooting in a game she hurries her shots to the point that she is very poor to average.How do I instill confidence? She recently came in second at a YMCA shootoutmaking 20 of 25 free throws and 15 out of 25 3 point shots.

Answer
Hello Lloyd,

It sounds like your grandaughter has a sweet stroke when she can relax. This is the key to get her to relax in the game. When practicing make it more game like. Does she have a brother, sister, or friend who can defend her when she is practicing? If so you can make a game out of it. Have her take twenty shots coming of a screen with a defender in her face but not blocking her shot. Set a number she has to hit 12 for 20 or start with 10 for 20. Put something small on the line so there is some pressure; doing the dishes or taking out the trash if she doesnt make the set number of shots. This puts pressure on her like in the game. The more she practices game like situations the more she will relax in the game. She can also try and play against the boy's. This will help as the boy's for the most part are more athletic and quicker. It will be hard for her at first but when going against girls in the game things will seem easier. Try and find a good group of boy's as they can be hard on girls, especially at that age. No boy want's to be shown up by a girl. I hope this helps and good luck.