Geno messin w KLM's shot?

[rtm5]

KLM's form has looked off to me.

The "Stanford" KLM had a beautifully quick trigger and release. It no longer looks the same and in the recent Courant article she talks about Geno telling her to get more air under her shot. Sure enough she now looks like she's "forcing her mechanics" in an effort to get more loft.

Coaches always like to tinker but this girl had a one in a million release. She needs to go back to her natural form.

 

[UcMiami]

I think the more loft suggestion came after she missed the last 20 in a row or whatever her slump ran to - and referred to her shot flattening out somewhat over the last few games.

 

[rtm5]

All I know is she has gone from having one of the purest releases I have ever seen to being "mechanical".

 

[vtcwbuff]

Biting my tongue here.

 

[Icebear]

All I know is she has gone from having one of the purest releases I have ever seen to being "mechanical".

I noted a couple of games ago that her shot has become flat. I suspect Geno noticed the same thing. It isn't Geno tinkering it is his trying to get her back to her old form. I suspect that her legs are a bit sluggish from the freshman wall and she is compensating by shooting a harder more direct line. Her shot used to roll off her fingertips on a nice high flip and high arc. That is not the case lately.

 

[NCorBust]

KLM's form has looked off to me.

The "Stanford" KLM had a beautifully quick trigger and release. It no longer looks the same and in the recent Courant article she talks about Geno telling her to get more air under her shot.

Actually she was getting more air under the ball when she was hitting her shot. Since then her shot is flatter. Maybe she is messing with her shot and Geno is trying to get her back to where her shot was falling.

Noticed IceBear's post just after my posting. As a result I feel I must be right, since I agree with him!

 

[rington]

This kid has been playing for several years, and was presented as the best shooter in HS last year. I would not change anything with her. A shooter in a slump will always come around.

 

[Olde Coach]

Biting my tongue here.

Dare I mention what shoes KML has been wearing?

Last night, Kaleena (and most of the team) were wearing a white shoe with red laces that was the "team shoe" for five of the first six games. (Stanford was the exception).

This shoe was also worn for the Fairfield and UNC games. For Towson thru ND, they wore the same (black) shoe as in the Stanford game. There was a new shoe for the Duke game. That is four different shoes to date, and I think there was a fifth model somewhere in there for a game or two.

This is crazy, nuts, stupid, ignorant & unbelievable to me. It is all driven by Nike marketing goals. And not even Geno and a program like UConn can stand up to Nike and demand they stop using elite college players as mannequins for advertising new products.

Every shot starts under the foot. Different shoes have a different feel, a different flex in the sole and uppers, a different fit and provide different "base stances" for the shooters. Most important, not all shoes, even from the same company, have the same "ramp angle". Ramp angle is the fore/aft slope of the foot-bed that results from the sole of the shoe being thicker under the heel than under the fore-foot.

A one-half degree change in the ramp angle changes the whole skeletal and muscular balance of the athlete. If the ramp gets flatter, the athlete's heels are lowered, the hips move back, and the upper spine is tilted forward. If an athlete (with a more forward tilt of the spine than normal) makes the same arm motion to shoot the ball that is deeply ingrained in her brain/muscle memory, the ball trajectory will be flatter.

My guess is that the white shoe worn early in the season and last night against Rutgers has a little steeper ramp angle than the other shoes UConn has been wearing/modeling. Hence there is now a forward tilt of KML's spine that is not the same as whatever shoe model she wore in high school.

The bottom line is: Athletes in "accuracy sports" should try out available shoe models in the pre-season, pick the one that fits the best and provides the best balance, and wear that same model for the entire season. I know that is what elite professional soccer players do. This assures that their base stance is the same every day --- not changing daily, or weekly, or monthly.

Well, I could write a book. And it is on my to do list for next winter. In the mean time, I will just have to endure watching Tiff score 68 points in two consecutive games, and then model a new shoe for Nike at the Duke game. STUPID.

 

[RadyLady]

Hiya OC - how is everything these days? Looking forward to seeing you at the BE tourney this year..

 

[Olde Coach]

Hiya OC - how is everything these days? Looking forward to seeing you at the BE tourney this year..

I will be there. And hope to connect with you.

 

[RadyLady]

I will be there. And hope to connect with you.

 

[Sonny44]

Dare I mention what shoes KML has been wearing?

Last night, Kaleena (and most of the team) were wearing a white shoe with red laces that was the "team shoe" for five of the first six games. (Stanford was the exception).

This shoe was also worn for the Fairfield and UNC games. For Towson thru ND, they wore the same (black) shoe as in the Stanford game. There was a new shoe for the Duke game. That is four different shoes to date, and I think there was a fifth model somewhere in there for a game or two.

This is crazy, nuts, stupid, ignorant & unbelievable to me. It is all driven by Nike marketing goals. And not even Geno and a program like UConn can stand up to Nike and demand they stop using elite college players as mannequins for advertising new products.

Every shot starts under the foot. Different shoes have a different feel, a different flex in the sole and uppers, a different fit and provide different "base stances" for the shooters. Most important, not all shoes, even from the same company, have the same "ramp angle". Ramp angle is the fore/aft slope of the foot-bed that results from the sole of the shoe being thicker under the heel than under the fore-foot.

A one-half degree change in the ramp angle changes the whole skeletal and muscular balance of the athlete. If the ramp gets flatter, the athlete's heels are lowered, the hips move back, and the upper spine is tilted forward. If an athlete (with a more forward tilt of the spine than normal) makes the same arm motion to shoot the ball that is deeply ingrained in her brain/muscle memory, the ball trajectory will be flatter.

My guess is that the white shoe worn early in the season and last night against Rutgers has a little steeper ramp angle than the other shoes UConn has been wearing/modeling. Hence there is now a forward tilt of KML's spine that is not the same as whatever shoe model she wore in high school.

The bottom line is: Athletes in "accuracy sports" should try out available shoe models in the pre-season, pick the one that fits the best and provides the best balance, and wear that same model for the entire season. I know that is what elite professional soccer players do. This assures that their base stance is the same every day --- not changing daily, or weekly, or monthly.

Well, I could write a book. And it is on my to do list for next winter. In the mean time, I will just have to endure watching Tiff score 68 points in two consecutive games, and then model a new shoe for Nike at the Duke game. STUPID.

Aye Carrumba, I would have never thought of this!

 

[UcMiami]

Nice post coach - and if anyone is wondering ... YES, the new Platinum Elite unforms come with brand new shoes as well (Red shoes no less ... Toto, I don't think this is Kansas!)

I do agree - for all athletes, but especially 'accuracy sports' athletes should not be made to change their shoes during a season, nor their uniforms. You can have how ever many differnt color combos you want, but the design and fabric should be the same. It takes amazing coordination to consistly hit a three point shot, and it doesn't take much to change that feel.

I at least hope when they are given the news shoes/new uniforms, they get a chance to wear them for a week in practice before the game.

Yes it is an honor for Uconn WCBB to be on the cutting edge, but it sure screws with the players.

 

[Olde Coach]

Aye Carrumba, I would have never thought of this!

It isn't just the shoes that alter spine angles.

Nearly all really good three point shooters (and free throw shooters) start their shooting motions from a very erect stance. When they rise to shoot, the spine remains very close to vertical. There is very little backward or forward movement of the head (it moves straight up). In the early season this year, KML was shooting threes with an almost straight and vertical spine at the beginning of her shooting motion -- and by the time she releases the ball her spine is very vertical.

I have seen some shots more recently (the "slump era") where Kaleena has a little more bend at the waist when at the beginning of her motion. I have to go back and watch some of her Stanford shots and then more of her recent shots to have a bigger sample than is in my memory bank. I'll report back.

FWIW -- many of the UConn free throw shooters are bending too much at the waist in their pre-shot routines. This has been the case for a long as I have been studying their free three shooting (since 2006). It does not appear that the UConn coaches have much complaint with this, as it has been prevalent for most players over the past six years.

Please note that Hayes and Dolson are the best FT shooters on this year's team; and they are the two players with the most upright stance and shooting motions. This is NOT a coincidence. Mel Thomas was the best FT shooter we have had at UConn for many years. Her spine was very straight from start to finish of her FT routine. (And 3 point shot as well.) This, also, is not a coincidence. It's just efficient body mechanics 101.

Sleep well, folks. I'm off to bed.

 

[Huskymaniac]

OC, are you talking about the spine angle at the time of releasing the ball or are you saying that the spine angle should be nearly vertical when they are bending their knees prior to elevating? That would seem awkward.

My son's shot has flattened out as our season has progressed and I am trying to bring him back to form. He seemed to "look" better in his game on Saturday. I am interested in shot mechanics. The way I see it, focus is the most important attribute to a shot. After that, good mechanics allow one to be consistent so that the brain can process the information and convert it to proper motion.

 

[Icebear]

OC and I discussed this for quite awhile the other day. One of the things that happens is when losing good erect spinal posture is that a player bending slightly forward at the neck or the waist and maintaining the same visual of the shot at release point has shifted the shot onto a flatter plane. Something we have noticed in KML's shot as of late.

Try this sitting in a chair and raise your hands up to shooting position, focus on a point at some 15 to 20 feet away as if you are to shoot at that point. Move your hands through a shot release. Now assume the original position again and now perform the following small changes while sighting that same 15 to 20 foot shot. First move your chin down and in and note the shifts in your sight window, the movements in your neck, shoulders and changes in tension. The number of shifts are amazing and note, especially, what has happened to your sight line. Consider now the number of minute changes these things effect. If you keep your old shot picture your shot moves onto a flatter plane. To effect the same shot plane after release your need significantly alter your release point, something you have rehearsed 100,000s of times.

Now return to the same per release position and this time lean maybe an 1" or 2" forward at the waist and note the same kinds of changes.

Now consider how these changes affect a kid like KML who's shot has been so thoroughly practiced and rehearsed into great precision. Introducing a small change into posture results not just into a bad result but consistently bad results as the body struggles to readjust to a new sight picture and shifts in micro mechanics. The most important correction, however, is not to alter her release point but rather the most fundamental one of correcting her posture getting the neck spine and hips back into good erect alignment. Do this and the shot picture is restored to that one refined by years of practice and shot success is very likely restored. Start tinkering with micro corrections like a higher release point, etc. and the road may be long.

Ironically, the impact of these types shifts are probably less noticeable on someone who's shot is less refined and consistent. The reason for this some old errors now find the goal. In contrast the highly precise shot is now consistently off the mark with less likelihood of error achieving the original goal by happenstance.

More later on why the fall away shot and a few others are less affected.

 

[Olde Coach]

OC, are you talking about the spine angle at the time of releasing the ball or are you saying that the spine angle should be nearly vertical when they are bending their knees prior to elevating? That would seem awkward.

My son's shot has flattened out as our season has progressed and I am trying to bring him back to form. He seemed to "look" better in his game on Saturday. I am interested in shot mechanics. The way I see it, focus is the most important attribute to a shot. After that, good mechanics allow one to be consistent so that the brain can process the information and convert it to proper motion.

Husky Maniac:

Call me sometime after 4:00 PM today. Check your inbox for a phone number.
I'll answer your questions in detail.

OC

 

[Sonny44]

It isn't just the shoes that alter spine angles.

Nearly all really good three point shooters (and free throw shooters) start their shooting motions from a very erect stance. When they rise to shoot, the spine remains very close to vertical. There is very little backward or forward movement of the head (it moves straight up). In the early season this year, KML was shooting threes with an almost straight and vertical spine at the beginning of her shooting motion -- and by the time she releases the ball her spine is very vertical.

I have seen some shots more recently (the "slump era") where Kaleena has a little more bend at the waist when at the beginning of her motion. I have to go back and watch some of her Stanford shots and then more of her recent shots to have a bigger sample than is in my memory bank. I'll report back.

FWIW -- many of the UConn free throw shooters are bending too much at the waist in their pre-shot routines. This has been the case for a long as I have been studying their free three shooting (since 2006). It does not appear that the UConn coaches have much complaint with this, as it has been prevalent for most players over the past six years.

Please note that Hayes and Dolson are the best FT shooters on this year's team; and they are the two players with the most upright stance and shooting motions. This is NOT a coincidence. Mel Thomas was the best FT shooter we have had at UConn for many years. Her spine was very straight from start to finish of her FT routine. (And 3 point shot as well.) This, also, is not a coincidence. It's just efficient body mechanics 101.

Sleep well, folks. I'm off to bed.

I think you should talk to Geno; get on the payroll.

 

[Icebear]

When shooting a fall away shot most players maintain nice straight spine even if not perfectly vertical. When leaning away from the rim you can not bend backwards so the vertebrae lock out in a nice straight line. This means that shooters posture head, spine, shoulders and arms are maintained in a nice alignment and perception of the altered sight line is the single variable involved, plus the fade away with the leaning back posture increases the arc on the shot rather than flatening it and making it flat, fast, and hot. So on the fade away the muscles are maintained in the nice efficient and trained position they are used to firing from and only the sightline must be accommodated.

One thing you will notice about most fade aways is they go up and land soft on the rim with less energy in the shot.

 

[HuskyNan]

Here is a link to Olde Coach's treatise on free throws.....

 

[Bestiarius]

I believe any visual change is detrimental, even uniform color. Many passes are made with peripheral vision, and a flash of color may be all the passer sees in a bang bang play. Changing uniform colors could create just enough visual confusion to change the outcome.

 

[Huskymaniac]

Husky Maniac:

Call me sometime after 4:00 PM today. Check your inbox for a phone number.
I'll answer your questions in detail.

OC

Would love to talk. And my schedule is wide open for the rest of the day. I didn't get a PM from you though.

 

[Biff]

I believe any visual change is detrimental, even uniform color. Many passes are made with peripheral vision, and a flash of color may be all the passer sees in a bang bang play. Changing uniform colors could create just enough visual confusion to change the outcome.

I found the cavalier attitude towards the Special Nike uniforms by Geno on his last Geno show interesting. He seems to be a full fledged "Nike" man.

 

[vtcwbuff]

Are the shoes different or are they the same model in a different color? Is there a change in ramp angle/fit between the different color shoes the team has worn? How does one determine ramp angle of a shoe (which might vary in millimeters) by watching from a distance?

OC - Are you saying that Auriemma would put his players at risk because of a shoe contract? Are the shoes not fitted to the player? GA mentioned that Faris wears different shoes because she has unusual feet. Apparently, somebody on the staff is paying attention.

Anyome know what model(s) of shoe the team wears?

And then there is CD in her 5" stillettos. Now that's a ramp angle!

 

[vtcwbuff]

I found the cavalier attitude towards the Special Nike uniforms by Geno on his last Geno show interesting. He seems to be a full fledged "Nike" man.

I think mostly he was ragging on the new uniform jinx thing, but I have no doubt that he's a Nike man given the money involved. I would be too.