I'm sure you have heard the old philosophy that free-throws win games. It's true. On every level, free-throws can be the determining factor between a win and a loss. It also can determine if a coach will leave a player on the floor in crunch time. Good free-throw shooters will always have a spot in the coaches rotation because they can be counted on.
The way to become an efficient free-throw shooter is to practice daily. It is important to practice and make sure you implement the B-E-E-F method. Your feet should be Balanced, shoulder's width apart, lead shooting foot slightly in front of the other. The Elbow should be directly in line with the knee on the lead shooting leg. The Eyes should be locked on the rim, focusing on the middle eyelets. Your focus should be to get the ball over the rim. Do not shoot the ball short. Lastly, Follow Through on your shot with your fingers pointed towards the rim. Always give the ball an opportunity to go in.
Shoot your free-throws in sets of 10. Keep a count of how many you make or miss. 10 sets of 10 is 100 free-throws. You should be able to get this done efficiently if you stay focused. Put pressure on yourself by creating game situations while you are shooting.(The score is tied, no time on the clock, this free-throw will win my team the state-championship) You will be surprised at how much this will help win in game situations. You may even end up in on similar to the one I described.
There no substitute to being a good free-throw shooter. Work hard and practice on your free-throw shooting!
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Defense wins Championships
Kudos to the 2008-2009 Chicago Bulls on their season and namely the playoff series versus the Boston Celtics in the first round. The Bulls became a contender in the eastern conference this season after acquiring Brad Miller and John Salmons. They were key pieces to our overall success this year and worked well with Derrick Rose, Ben Gordon, Kirk Hinrich, Joakim Noah, Tyrus Thomas and the other Bulls players that contributed off the bench.
Through trade acquisitions and the NBA draft, it would be in the Bulls best interest add a low post player and a big wing player that both can defend. These two acquisitions would be the difference in the Bulls pushing past the first round into the Eastern Conference Championship. Boston, Cleveland and Orlando all have players that provide this type of presence.
It makes a big difference when a perimeter player drives the lane and there is a defensive enforcer clogging up the lane. It also changes the complexion of the game when a big wing player is cutting an offense player's angles to the basket off or forcing them to the baseline. Those defensive adjustments can and will discourage good offensive teams from attacking the basket and the lane.
Remember, defense wins championships from the youth level to the NBA!
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
Through trade acquisitions and the NBA draft, it would be in the Bulls best interest add a low post player and a big wing player that both can defend. These two acquisitions would be the difference in the Bulls pushing past the first round into the Eastern Conference Championship. Boston, Cleveland and Orlando all have players that provide this type of presence.
It makes a big difference when a perimeter player drives the lane and there is a defensive enforcer clogging up the lane. It also changes the complexion of the game when a big wing player is cutting an offense player's angles to the basket off or forcing them to the baseline. Those defensive adjustments can and will discourage good offensive teams from attacking the basket and the lane.
Remember, defense wins championships from the youth level to the NBA!
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Fine Tuning the Fundamentals
Yesterday, I trained Drew Crawford, Naperville Central standout, 2008-09 Player of the Year in Du Page County and future Northwestern University student-athlete. Drew has played off at the Bulls Academy one season each year since he was a 6th grader and has developed into an excellent basketball player. Drew understands that in order to play basketball and be a contributor at the collegiate level he has to continue to fine tune his fundamentals. The ability to make simple plays and execute consistently makes a major difference in having individual and team success at the collegiate level.A player of Drew's caliber has accomplished a great deal in basketball and has mastered the basic skills. It is not necessary to re-teach the basics but to adjust certain things and focus on the small ones.
For instance, when a player catch the ball on the wing, make sure they look at the basket in triple threat and read the defender before making a decision to pass, shoot or dribble. It is not necessary for the offensive player to make a decision in hurry. Be patient. This gives the offense player an enormous advantage over the defender. The defender is at the offense player's mercy they cannot determine what the offense player is going to do.
When an offense player is shooting on the perimeter, it is important for them to focus on their footwork. Making baskets and gaining advantages on your defender can come down to footwork and the ability to create space. It also gives a player the opportunity to attack the gaps to the lane and the basket.
Practicing the proper footwork is essential for a player to gain an advantage to pass, dribble or shoot as well. At the college level, all players are quick and strong so the opportunity to get open shots are rare. You can create offense opportunities by having good footwork.
Remember, work on your game daily. If you are not, someone else who is gains on you!
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
For instance, when a player catch the ball on the wing, make sure they look at the basket in triple threat and read the defender before making a decision to pass, shoot or dribble. It is not necessary for the offensive player to make a decision in hurry. Be patient. This gives the offense player an enormous advantage over the defender. The defender is at the offense player's mercy they cannot determine what the offense player is going to do.
When an offense player is shooting on the perimeter, it is important for them to focus on their footwork. Making baskets and gaining advantages on your defender can come down to footwork and the ability to create space. It also gives a player the opportunity to attack the gaps to the lane and the basket.
Practicing the proper footwork is essential for a player to gain an advantage to pass, dribble or shoot as well. At the college level, all players are quick and strong so the opportunity to get open shots are rare. You can create offense opportunities by having good footwork.
Remember, work on your game daily. If you are not, someone else who is gains on you!
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Off-season workouts for young basketball players
It is important that young basketball players implement an off-season workout to compliment whatever other basketball activity they participate in. If its AAU, club or travel basketball, a player needs to focus on the individual weaknesses they need to strengthen for next basketball season in their respective school. The player that works daily to strengthen their weaknesses will get better and more confident overall.
Players should spend time daily working on their individual skills. Their is not an average time that should a player should spend but it should be quality time. It is important to maximize your time and work at game speed on all of your drills. Ball handling, shooting, footwork, etc. should all be executed at the highest level possible. Do not be concerned with making mistakes, practice makes perfect.
Do something basketball related daily.
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
Players should spend time daily working on their individual skills. Their is not an average time that should a player should spend but it should be quality time. It is important to maximize your time and work at game speed on all of your drills. Ball handling, shooting, footwork, etc. should all be executed at the highest level possible. Do not be concerned with making mistakes, practice makes perfect.
Do something basketball related daily.
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
What is Kobe doing at the House of Hoops- Chicago?
I had the pleasure of meeting Kobe Bryant this weekend at the House of Hoops in the North Riverside Mall this weekend. The House of Hoops launched Kobe's new basketball shoe at the store this weekend. The Los Angeles Lakers played the Chicago Bulls this weekend and the Lakers stayed in Chicago before traveling to Oklahoma City for their game on Tuesday night. One of my best friends, Todd Ambers, is the manager of the House of Hoops- Chicago and coordinated the event and provided me with the opportunity for me to meet Kobe.
Kobe was a great person and a joy to speak with. His basketball intellect is extremely high and I asked him a few questions about playing for Phil Jackson, running the triangle offense and how he stays ahead of the curve on the court himself. Kobe explained to me that he does some form of sports performance and lifts weights daily. In addition, he shoots and MAKES 500 jump shots daily. He even does this workout on game days! I was amazed but not surprised because he clearly strives to be the best. I told Kobe that I worked with youth basketball players at the Chicago Bulls/ White Sox Training Academy in Lisle, Illinois and wanted to give them some advice from him. Kobe replied, "It is imperative to work on your game. Everyday that you don't, someone is gaining ground on you. There is no substitute for hard work and hard work overrides talent."
I had the pleasure of playing basketball with Michael Jordan when he made his second comeback to the NBA and he had the same work ethic. Kobe Bryant is the one NBA player that appears to have the desire and skill to achieve some of the milestones the Michael Jordan did while he was in the NBA. In my opinion, Michael Jordan is still the best to EVER play the game though. Michael's lifetime average of 32.3 points a game and six world championships will always hold a cornerstone in basketball history. He was also a Chicago Bull!
I am appreciative to have had the opportunity to meet Kobe Bryant but mostly to have had the opportunity to converse with him. I enjoyed speaking with him about basketball and having similar basketball philosophies.
Remember, there is no substitute for hard work!
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
March Madness- "Feel the heat"
Tournament time is here for college hoops and the field of 65 will be determined after tonight's play in game between Alabama State vs. Morehead State. The brackets are set and everyone is eagerly awaiting the games on this upcoming Thursday.
In my opinion, there is not a clear cut NCAA champion this year. Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Louisville and North Carolina are all legitimate number one seeds but there are other good basketball teams that could push through to make a run for the championship as well. Memphis, Oklahoma, Duke, Kansas, Villanova are a few that will be in the hunt. The dark horses like VCU, Western Kentucky, Mississippi State, Xavier will all compete hard to push through their respective brackets as well to upset some higher seeds as well.
I am in a bit of a quandary as I select my picks for my NCAA pool. If I follow my heart, Chattanooga (my Alma mater) beats UConn to go on to the National Championship! You never know what may happen during March Madness!
Good luck on your pools and I hope your teams win!
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
In my opinion, there is not a clear cut NCAA champion this year. Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Louisville and North Carolina are all legitimate number one seeds but there are other good basketball teams that could push through to make a run for the championship as well. Memphis, Oklahoma, Duke, Kansas, Villanova are a few that will be in the hunt. The dark horses like VCU, Western Kentucky, Mississippi State, Xavier will all compete hard to push through their respective brackets as well to upset some higher seeds as well.
I am in a bit of a quandary as I select my picks for my NCAA pool. If I follow my heart, Chattanooga (my Alma mater) beats UConn to go on to the National Championship! You never know what may happen during March Madness!
Good luck on your pools and I hope your teams win!
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
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