Akok Blocked Shot Technique

[Chief00]

Lots I could highlight negatively about last night’s game as Chief heads to the airport. But, others have covered that.
Chief just wants to say how impressed I am with Akok using both hands in his shot blocking tool box. He uses the hand opposite the hand the ball is coming off. Uses his left hand against a right hand shot and his right hand against a left hand shot. This sounds basic, but so many guys cross over and use their strong hand. The crossing over increases the risk of fouls and shortens the reach to block the shot. By using great technique Akok avoids those two pitfalls.
He also has a well coached patience on his blocking technique and has that God gifted quick explosive reaction only after the offensive guy commits to the shot. Akok seldom buys into a pump fake, which is unusual for a freshman.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

I don't know anyone that uses the wrong hand to block shots. I am middle aged, in meh shape, and I still know which hand to use when I contest a shot against the other middle aged guys at the Y. So do all of them.

I will give Akok credit for his timing and not fouling that often when he blocks. That is hard to teach.

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

Akok has been one of the only bright spots with this team. I really like his motor. Defensively he is sound, I hope over time we can develop his inside game a bit more.

 

[Austin316]

Despite a lack of offense we came away with 13 blocked shots vs Cinci. This is the UConn kind of stat I love to see. Akok is a bright light in Storrs!

 

[Rico444]

That one block he made where the Cinci player with the ball had him pinned down deep in the low post, then pump-faked Akok into the air, and Akok was able to land, jump, and block the shot anyway...that was incredible.

 

[Austin316]

Something he also does well after blocked shots is run back and translate defense into offense.

 

[Chief00]

I don't know anyone that uses the wrong hand to block shots. I am middle aged, in meh shape, and I still know which hand to use when I contest a shot against the other middle aged guys at the Y. So do all of them.

I will give Akok credit for his timing and not fouling that often when he blocks. That is hard to teach.

It happens all the time. When Chief watches AAU, it’s almost the standard. We are not talking about a bunch of fat middle age guys, who can only block a shot when some dude literally shoots the ball into the blockers hands. When guys jump (who can jump) there is a tendency to use one dominant hand in a block attempt.

 

[HuskylnSC]

It happens all the time. When Chief watches AAU, it’s almost the standard. We are not talking about a bunch of fat middle age guys, who can only block a shot when some dude literally shoots the ball into the blockers hands. When guys jump (who can jump) there is a tendency to use one dominant hand in a block attempt.

see Sid!

 

[HuskyHawk]

It happens all the time. When Chief watches AAU, it’s almost the standard. We are not talking about a bunch of fat middle age guys, who can only block a shot when some dude literally shoots the ball into the blockers hands. When guys jump (who can jump) there is a tendency to use one dominant hand in a block attempt.

I'm going off memory, but I think Brimah tended to use the dominant hand. Part of the reason he blocked so many out of bounds behind the basket. Emeka used both as Akok does. Not sure about Thabeet.

 

[bmayuc]

Shot blocking is such a rare skill because it takes such a combination of size, athleticism, technique, and instinct to do effectively.

IE - If you have size, athleticism, and technique, you still will likely foul often if you don't have the instinct to take proper angles and anticipate pump fakes.

It is what made Emeka the most dominant shotblocker in UConn history. He had all of the skills.

Akok is in that same class, but needs to add some strength and confidence.

 

[superjohn]

Shot blocking is such a rare skill because it takes such a combination of size, athleticism, technique, and instinct to do effectively.

IE - If you have size, athleticism, and technique, you still will likely foul often if you don't have the instinct to take proper angles and anticipate pump fakes.

It is what made Emeka the most dominant shotblocker in UConn history. He had all of the skills.

Akok is in that same class, but needs to add some strength and confidence.

Okafor and Akok are pretty good shotblockers but you obviously haven't seen Nelson block shots.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

It happens all the time. When Chief watches AAU, it’s almost the standard. We are not talking about a bunch of fat middle age guys, who can only block a shot when some dude literally shoots the ball into the blockers hands. When guys jump (who can jump) there is a tendency to use one dominant hand in a block attempt.

I have coached AAU, and I don't know any coach that doesn't correct a kid closing out on a shooter or bodying up inside with the wrong hand.

 

[Chief00]

I have coached AAU, and I don't know any coach that doesn't correct a kid closing out on a shooter or bodying up inside with the wrong hand.

Quite frankly, almost none of his block activity is closing out on shooters. It’s interior, in the paint, blocks shots, both help and guarding type situations.
Please don’t be offended or defensive about this - Chief isn’t saying many coaches don’t try to correct it. The reality is that’s one of the reasons guys get in foul trouble. Chief’s point in this post is not to criticize the lack of fundamentals in certain AAU games, that’s a conversation for another day. I recognize coaches do the best they can at all levels of AAU.

 

[Chief00]

I'm going off memory, but I think Brimah tended to use the dominant hand. Part of the reason he blocked so many out of bounds behind the basket. Emeka used both as Akok does. Not sure about Thabeet.

Exactly right.

 

[Chief00]

see Sid!

Yep, Sid crossed my mind but I tried to keep the contrast example generic, since I was trying to be positive and it applies to so many.

 

[TheChamps990411]

Something he also does well after blocked shots is run back and translate defense into offense.

That is vintage Uconn circa 1994 when Donyell roamed these parts.

 

[Lefty2one]

I get what Chief is saying. You can teach kids all sorts of fundamentals but in split second, reactionary situations (not closeouts) some players have certain intuition or instincts that allow them to excel. Mitchell Robinson is an example at the next level: he's fantastic at blocking shots with his left hand and/or the appropriate hand. It's natural for some, learned for others, or never grasped by the rest.

 

[CTMike]

I don't know anyone that uses the wrong hand to block shots. I am middle aged, in meh shape, and I still know which hand to use when I contest a shot against the other middle aged guys at the Y. So do all of them.

I will give Akok credit for his timing and not fouling that often when he blocks. That is hard to teach.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Something he also does well after blocked shots is run back and translate defense into offense.

Lol at 8-0 run to cut it to 15. This play was pretty crazy. I remember thinking the lob was for Bouknight but then Akok came outta nowhere. He takes pride in being the first down court it seems.

 

[AdamaNation]

I don't know anyone that uses the wrong hand to block shots. I am middle aged, in meh shape, and I still know which hand to use when I contest a shot against the other middle aged guys at the Y. So do all of them.

I will give Akok credit for his timing and not fouling that often when he blocks. That is hard to teach.

Lots I could highlight negatively about last night’s game as Chief heads to the airport. But, others have covered that.
Chief just wants to say how impressed I am with Akok using both hands in his shot blocking tool box. He uses the hand opposite the hand the ball is coming off. Uses his left hand against a right hand shot and his right hand against a left hand shot. This sounds basic, but so many guys cross over and use their strong hand. The crossing over increases the risk of fouls and shortens the reach to block the shot. By using great technique Akok avoids those two pitfalls.
He also has a well coached patience on his blocking technique and has that God gifted quick explosive reaction only after the offensive guy commits to the shot. Akok seldom buys into a pump fake, which is unusual for a freshman.

Mek had that timing and patience as well. Others like sheem and Hilton just used size and athleticism.

 

[coachn]

A ghttps://the-boneyard.com/threads/change-now.150832 AA gets the D Reb. and starts the Out. Pass better than anyone by far. Also like his dunk vs Cin. when he had 3 men guarding.