Ayanna working on her shot

[Bone Dog]

As a young kid I had several eye muscle operations to correct a wondering eye. I recall finding myself surprised to be about three feet to one side as I saw it drop, when fielding a fly ball. Years later I was told by an ophthalmologist that I alternated eyes so as not to have double vision and despite 'failing the depth perception test' I seemed to have adapted to have 'my own sense of depth perception'. As an adult at an optometrist, during an eye test I was asked what I did for a living and I responded that I was a carpenter - she quipped that there was no way I could hit a nail with my lack of depth perception! I responded that I none the less seem to hit it every time. Perhaps, Ayanna has made similar adjustments to her assumed depth perception problem.

Yes. The brain adjusts, and can even be trained to adjust and create its a sense of depth.

 

[HopJim]

Coaches, why practice shooting while sitting?

While improving her shooting mechanics would be outstanding, it would be third on my priority list for Ayanna. First, would teach her how to shoot layups under the basket without getting her shot blocked. While she should be able to overpower opponents, last year shorter players took advantage or where she held to the ball to frequently block her shot. Second, would be her defense. While she is a premier athlete, she was a foul machine, whacking down on shots or not moving her feet and letting drivers get by her. I actually felt in the rare times she had a midrange shot that once she relaxed, her mechanics were fine.

 

[Alydar]

While improving her shooting mechanics would be outstanding, it would be third on my priority list for Ayanna. First, would teach her how to shoot layups under the basket without getting her shot blocked. While she should be able to overpower opponents, last year shorter players took advantage or where she held to the ball to frequently block her shot. Second, would be her defense. While she is a premier athlete, she was a foul machine, whacking down on shots or not moving her feet and letting drivers get by her. I actually felt in the rare times she had a midrange shot that once she relaxed, her mechanics were fine.

That post could have been written about Edwards in her 1st year. She missed bunnies and was a foul machine too.

The lowering of the arms was something that ONO and Dorka also did often with the same results.

Maybe UConn needs a new post coach?????

 

[JellyBean]

I like the fact that Ayanna is working on her shooting form. Getting back to the fundamentals of shooting. With so many videos, coaching concepts about shooting, she just has to get to the point where she is comfortable shooting and making a decent percentage. If Ayanna is able to come in and knock down 40%-60% of her shots, she is going to give the program another offensive threat out there on the floor.

 

[Alydar]

Her shooting last year was eratic but I saw a couple of nice baseline jumpers from 12 feet that got nothing but net. I suspect there was a lack of confidence to take a shot more than a lack of form. I'm still thinking she wasn't 100% last season. First, she missed the dunking contest at first night "due to an injury". Nothing about any injury has been mentioned since then but I didn't see the elevation during the season that she displayed prior to arriving at UConn except for a couple of soaring rebounds late in the season. I'm just speculating but Patterson could be the biggest surprise of the coming season if things click for her. She has incredible tools.

 

[PvP]

Similarly, there was the UNDERHANDED two-handed foul shot. It would've been difficult sitting on that box, n-'est ce pas?

C'est vrai, certainment...