Is Kara Arc-ing?

[JoePgh]

For those of you who may not see the pre-game and post-game shows on SNY, Kara Wolters had a rather lengthy segment on one of those shows recently where she attributed Katie Lou's shooting woes to the fact that her elbow wasn't high enough (it was and is below eye level when she releases her shot) and that therefore her shot didn't have enough arc on it.

I find this to be, ahem, questionable on several grounds:

• Don't you think the coaches would have corrected that by now if it were really the problem?
• How did she make all those 3's in high school and in international competition if there were really a basic mechanical problem with her shot?
• I did not notice, even when they showed tape of KLS's 3-point attempts, that they were lacking in "arc", certainly not compared to Bria Hartley's 3-point shots, for example.

Tonight, during and after the Tulane game where KLS was 4-for-7 from 3-point range, Kara said at least twice that her shot tonight had more arc on it. I honestly didn't notice any difference, nor did I notice a difference in Lou's release point. But since the shots were falling tonight, it must be true.

I am feeling a little static (electricity) in Kara's observations about arc-ing. But I am not too shocked.

 

[Wally East]

I'm sensing some (understandable) resistance to Kara's remarks.

 

[Boreifs]

For those of you who may not see the pre-game and post-game shows on SNY, Kara Wolters had a rather lengthy segment on one of those shows recently where she attributed Katie Lou's shooting woes to the fact that her elbow wasn't high enough (it was and is below eye level when she releases her shot) and that therefore her shot didn't have enough arc on it.

I find this to be, ahem, questionable on several grounds:

• Don't you think the coaches would have corrected that by now if it were really the problem?
• How did she make all those 3's in high school and in international competition if there were really a basic mechanical problem with her shot?
• I did not notice, even when they showed tape of KLS's 3-point attempts, that they were lacking in "arc", certainly not compared to Bria Hartley's 3-point shots, for example.

Tonight, during and after the Tulane game where KLS was 4-for-7 from 3-point range, Kara said at least twice that her shot tonight had more arc on it. I honestly didn't notice any difference, nor did I notice a difference in Lou's release point. But since the shots were falling tonight, it must be true.

I am feeling a little static (electricity) in Kara's observations about arc-ing. But I am not too shocked.

I agree totally.

 

[carpe diem]

But what would we have to talk about if broadcasters did not make such remarks. We need a continuous supply of grist for the critique mill.

 

[Kaizen]

KLS and Chong all shot 3 in the same style. They raise the balls between shoulder and head then make a shot. As well as they can make 3 I am very very happy .....

 

[Gus Mahler]

I'm sensing some (understandable) resistance to Kara's remarks.

Only in the current context.

 

[bags27]

I completely agree that analysis of her motion is a bunch of hooey. Of course the simple answer is: freshman nerves. But beyond and related to that, Lou is used to being the top gun on her team and getting lots of shots, and therefore shooting through and out a cold spell. UConn has just too many stars and too superb an offensive philosophy for her to shoot that often. Because she's getting far fewer shots now, maybe she's overthinking some of them. She's got to relax from shot #1, and she is beginning to do that....Look at at the way she's demanding the ball: this gal wants to shoot. She's a stone-cold assassin.

 

[HoopsFan21]

It is possible for her mechanics to slip. It only takes a little to start missing 'em more than making 'em. Her shots last night looked to have more arc to me. Bria went through the same flat shot thing, and it took a little while to correct.

 

[rugbymate]

Notice how she gets amped up when she makes one?

 

[Icebear]

Yeah, I didn't think that comment was well grounded.

 

[JS]

We need a continuous supply of grist for the critique mill.

It's a topic generator all right.

 

[meyers7]

Ohmmm, I think she had a Fair (a) day. She must have ICE in her veins like ELI.

 

[ricky]

Ohmmm, I think she had a Fair (a) day. She must have ICE in her veins like ELI.

OMG. You win this one!

 

[meyers7]

OMG. You win this one!

Thank you, I'll be here all week.

 

[AngeLynn]

I expect that we will see a surge in comments on this matter.

 

[Geno-ista]

I have no idea about her being right or wrong about her BB shooting mechanics-
I stick to what I do well, insurance and fly fishing. But I will say, I had the same feeling when she went into that issue at length. I love Kara- like all of us. It was out of character for her- great post!

 

[reno tony]

Shooting woes? That sounds like it hurts. I like Kara, but she just needed something to talk about. When Larry Bird makes a comment about her 3 point shooting, I will listen.

 

[CocoHusky]

I expect that we will see a surge in comments on this matter.

It definitely sparked my interest.

 

[CL82]

Yeah, I didn't think that comment was well grounded.

I don't know it seems like a critique of a freshman's shooting mechanics is the kind of thing that is always making the circuit. In any event I like her game and I don't see Geno making a switch.

Still, it's always good to have be talked about. I'm sure Katie Lou got a charge out it.

 

[CocoHusky]

For those of you who may not see the pre-game and post-game shows on SNY, Kara Wolters had a rather lengthy segment on one of those shows recently where she attributed Katie Lou's shooting woes to the fact that her elbow wasn't high enough (it was and is below eye level when she releases her shot) and that therefore her shot didn't have enough arc on it.

I find this to be, ahem, questionable on several grounds:

• Don't you think the coaches would have corrected that by now if it were really the problem?
• How did she make all those 3's in high school and in international competition if there were really a basic mechanical problem with her shot?
• I did not notice, even when they showed tape of KLS's 3-point attempts, that they were lacking in "arc", certainly not compared to Bria Hartley's 3-point shots, for example.

Tonight, during and after the Tulane game where KLS was 4-for-7 from 3-point range, Kara said at least twice that her shot tonight had more arc on it. I honestly didn't notice any difference, nor did I notice a difference in Lou's release point. But since the shots were falling tonight, it must be true.

I am feeling a little static (electricity) in Kara's observations about arc-ing. But I am not too shocked.

There are at least 100o different theories about hand, elbow placement, arc as related to shooting and it sounds like Kara might have made up another. There probably even 2 or 3 good ones. I tend to stick with Herb Magee teachings and my own personal philosophy over the years 1) If a kids is making a fairly high percentage don't change a thing=#LEAVE KLS SHOT ALONE PLEASE# 2) If you are going to make changes get it done before 13 years of age because only repetition and increased strength is going to increase accuracy significantly after that. 3) Use video (especially now a days) with everyone having access on a cell phone. 4) Look for sameness as in release point, elevation off the ground, and distance from the basket, most important practice shot form must match game shots exactly.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...Gj6bdM&usg=AFQjCNG9qNd-fe2XUkIllMNlFMvhRRRIcw

 

[HoopsFan21]

So I guess this our most current topic? It really is going to come down to the wire as to whether or not she can break Kaleena's record. I'm neutral on it, but know she can get hot at any time. We should be positive about our sharpshooter that has so much potential that Georg Ohm would be jealous.

 

[meyers7]

So I guess this our most current topic? It really is going to come down to the wire as to whether or not she can break Kaleena's record. I'm neutral on it, but know she can get hot at any time. We should be positive about our sharpshooter that has so much potential that Georg Ohm would be jealous.

I think you meant Allesandro Volta. I think Georg would have been resistant to jealousy.

 

[Icebear]

Well, we seem to be alternating current views on a variety of topics. We might just have the capacity to pause and reflect for a moment, Ohm.

 

[StarMan]

For those of you who may not see the pre-game and post-game shows on SNY, Kara Wolters had a rather lengthy segment on one of those shows recently where she attributed Katie Lou's shooting woes to the fact that her elbow wasn't high enough (it was and is below eye level when she releases her shot) and that therefore her shot didn't have enough arc on it.

I find this to be, ahem, questionable on several grounds:

• Don't you think the coaches would have corrected that by now if it were really the problem?
• How did she make all those 3's in high school and in international competition if there were really a basic mechanical problem with her shot?
• I did not notice, even when they showed tape of KLS's 3-point attempts, that they were lacking in "arc", certainly not compared to Bria Hartley's 3-point shots, for example.

Tonight, during and after the Tulane game where KLS was 4-for-7 from 3-point range, Kara said at least twice that her shot tonight had more arc on it. I honestly didn't notice any difference, nor did I notice a difference in Lou's release point. But since the shots were falling tonight, it must be true.

I am feeling a little static (electricity) in Kara's observations about arc-ing. But I am not too shocked.

It seems to me that there is a fairly noticeable aspect of the mechanics of Katie Lou Samuelson 3–point shooting. That is, the technique that KLS uses quite often for her uncontested 3-point shots is a linear “push up” or one-armed set shot approach that aligns the elbow and shoulder throughout the shooting stroke. This results in a straight shot that starts lower, takes longer to execute, and is less fluid than say the “shot from the raised elbow” technique often used by Kaleena Mosqueda Lewis and Elena Delle Donne.

While no one can doubt that KLS is an outstanding shooter and, as has been pointed out, “analysis of her motion is a bunch of hooey”, still some coaches might try to help her get a quicker controlled release of her shot. That, combined with her existing speed and agility would enable more access around the court for her offense while lessening the need for her to find a more isolated, away from the action, spot on the court from which to shoot the 3.

Just my two cents and of course both cents could be wildly inaccurate, but that’s one of the nice things about this board.

(A total aside: JoePgh are the chess pieces in your avatar set up wrongly on purpose?)

 

[Sonny44]

It seems to me that there is a fairly noticeable aspect of the mechanics of Katie Lou Samuelson 3–point shooting. That is, the technique that KLS uses quite often for her uncontested 3-point shots is a linear “push up” or one-armed set shot approach that aligns the elbow and shoulder throughout the shooting stroke. This results in a straight shot that starts lower, takes longer to execute, and is less fluid than say the “shot from the raised elbow” technique often used by Kaleena Mosqueda Lewis and Elena Delle Donne.

While no one can doubt that KLS is an outstanding shooter and, as has been pointed out, “analysis of her motion is a bunch of hooey”, still some coaches might try to help her get a quicker controlled release of her shot. That, combined with her existing speed and agility would enable more access around the court for her offense while lessening the need for her to find a more isolated, away from the action, spot on the court from which to shoot the 3.

Just my two cents and of course both cents could be wildly inaccurate, but that’s one of the nice things about this board.

(A total aside: JoePgh are the chess pieces in your avatar set up wrongly on purpose?)

I'm not a grandmaster, but I don't see anything wrong with them.