REBOUND FOR SUCCESS: Getting The Shots You Want (Step 3 of 3)

Step 3: FINE TUNE YOUR FOCUS / Is the shot in your range?

If you've assessed your spacing by determining how far away your goal is (STEP 1) and you've removed all obstacles and determined who or what's in your way (STEP 2) the third step is the most crucial; fine tuning your focus.

Fine tuning your focus requires you to determine if the shot you're going to take is the best shot available. It's not just about being able to see the goal. Often times you see the goal and rush to shoot without considering the score, the time on the shot clock, your position on the floor, where your teammates are on the floor, what play you should be running. Just because you can clearly see the goal doesn't mean that you should immediately take the shot. Each possession will require you to call a different play which entails more passing, cutting, screening, and more dribbling.

Fine tuning your focus is about being realistically yet proactively patient with the offense. Even if you have the green light from the coach and a seemingly clear path to the basket, you still have to consider what is in the best interest of the team each possession. Fine tuning your focus also means pacing yourself even when you have the hot hand. You can consistently break down defenses off the dribble, by passing or screening, but instinctively you must know which shots are truly the right ones to take.

As you are fine tuning your focus you are actually finding your range. Therefore, some risks have to be taken. By risks, I mean you should take shots when you're open, when you're not so open, before the offense has been executed and after the offense has been executed. Why do say this Coach? Making rushed shots against solid defense and missing open shots in your range help you grow. Rushed made shots give you confidence and let you know that the goal is attainable consistently but you must respect the goal enough to be patient with the progress. Made rushed shots also remind you that you can achieve the goal regardless of the adversity that awaits you. Missed open shots let you know that the shot is in your range but your confidence must always be on a higher level that will compel you to keep shooting regardless of how many times you've missed. Whether you make them or miss them, the shots that you take in your range develop a determination and a passion to knock down shots in pursuit of your goal. Getting the shots you want ultimately lead you to learn the lesson you want and need to learn; The only way misses become makes is by shooting. FINE TUNE YOUR FOCUS, FIND YOUR RANGE AND KEEP SHOOTING!

REBOUND.RESET.RELEASE.