Question on shot mechanics

[HuskyNan]

I am wondering about Ashlynn’s shot mechanics. It seems to my inexpert eye that her shot is usually rather flat but when she‘s in the rhythm of the offense, the shot goes in, as though the shot was softer. After the ND game, I felt Ash took some unfounded criticism for her scoring as she was looking to score but her shots flattened out even more and were more like line drive fastballs than her usual shot. I’m guessing she was a bit nervous?

My questions:

1. Am I totally wrong on this re: the flat shots? I’m certainly no expert. Maybe I’m missing something.
2. Do Ash’s shooting mechanics change when she gets tight? If so, does it get corrected by just playing these games and letting her figure it out?

I think the criticism of Ash is unfortunate because she’s still a young player, only a sophomore, and she had never played at Purcell Arena, a perfect example of a hostile environment. She’s done so many things right, and so consistently, that I’m not as disappointed with her missing a few shots as other fans. She’s usually mentally tough so if the issue is a mental approach one and not a mechanics one, I have every confidence Ash will figure it out

 

[Martin84]

I’ve seen flat shots from Sarah too. I wouldn’t think the flat shot was by design as it seems easier to defend/block. Good shooters have a way of getting those mistake/flat shots to go in. I think they are mostly unintentional but then I’m just a fan. Where’s the coach of Western University to teach a kid the mechanics of a jump shot? - see the exciting conclusion to Blue Chips!

 

[BobbyJ]

I am wondering about Ashlynn’s shot mechanics. It seems to my inexpert eye that her shot is usually rather flat but when she‘s in the rhythm of the offense, the shot goes in, as though it was softer. After the ND game, I felt Ash took some unfounded criticism for her scoring as she was looking to score but her shots flattened out even more and were more like line drive fastballs than her usual shot. I’m guessing she was a bit nervous?

My questions:

1. Am I totally wrong on this re: the flat shots? I’m certainly no expert. Maybe I’m missing something.
2. Do Ash’s shooting mechanics change when she gets tight? If so, does it get corrected by just playing these games and letting her figure it out?

I think the criticism of Ash is unfortunate because she’s still a young player, only a sophomore, and she had never played at Purcell Arena, a perfect example of a hostile environment. She’s done so many things right, and so consistently, that I’m not as disappointed with her missing a few shots as other fans. She’s usually mentally tough so if the issue is a mental approach one and not a mechanics one, I have every confidence Ash will figure it out

1) You’re not wrong, her shot is flat. 2) Her mechanics are actually pretty consistent but flawed. When starting her out someone overemphasized keeping her shooting elbow tucked in. That can restrict her ability to launch on a higher arc. N. Muhl is the opposite, her elbow flares a little causing her to shot put the ball on too high an arc. Fudd’s elbow is textbook. Two adjustments needed and the first will take some time. 1) Let the elbow slide out just a little to unlock her shoulder for freer motion. That will take a lot of practice reps and needs to be her primary goal next offseason. 2) Change her focus from shooting AT the front rim to OVER the rim. This can start immediately and can actually help in the short term, especially on her pull up jumpers.

 

[Bone Dog]

I think @Alydar (iirc) reported about one of Geno’s coaching camps that his staff tracks shot trajectories and teaches an optimal angle. I only mention this because I’m sure the coaches are working on this for both Ash and Sarah. And I think you’re right that flat trajectories are not desirable and probably result from feeling the pressure of big games. I suspect we’ll see adjustments in both of them.

On the positive side, I think, it looks like Morgan shoots a “moon ball,” a rainbow, a rainmaker! Paige and Azzi seem to shoot the best trajectory. Allie too.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

I am wondering about Ashlynn’s shot mechanics. It seems to my inexpert eye that her shot is usually rather flat but when she‘s in the rhythm of the offense, the shot goes in, as though the shot was softer. After the ND game, I felt Ash took some unfounded criticism for her scoring as she was looking to score but her shots flattened out even more and were more like line drive fastballs than her usual shot. I’m guessing she was a bit nervous?

My questions:

1. Am I totally wrong on this re: the flat shots? I’m certainly no expert. Maybe I’m missing something.
2. Do Ash’s shooting mechanics change when she gets tight? If so, does it get corrected by just playing these games and letting her figure it out?

I think the criticism of Ash is unfortunate because she’s still a young player, only a sophomore, and she had never played at Purcell Arena, a perfect example of a hostile environment. She’s done so many things right, and so consistently, that I’m not as disappointed with her missing a few shots as other fans. She’s usually mentally tough so if the issue is a mental approach one and not a mechanics one, I have every confidence Ash will figure it out

If it works for her, then most coaches aren't going to tinker with it. There are some core shooting mechanics, but there's also the reality that there are even more variations when it comes to body mechanics. I shot freethrows left of center at the foul line because I had a natural kink in my shoulder when extended. Looked weird, but it worked. Seems to me that the closer she is to the basket, the more of a line drive (aka flat) shot she has. I'm guessing because at her height she has learned to get it off quicker that way. Her 3s have more arc. That's the only change in mechanics I see. I think it works fine for her.

 

[trisailin]

I can't speak to Ash's or Sarah's specific shot mechanics but as an engineer, I can speak to shot trajectory. The attached article gives "ideal" angles and the "reasoning".

The physics of free-throw shooting – Secrets of Shooting

secretsofshooting.com

 

[Monte]

Last year, it seemed that almost all of her shots were taken from the corner. She seems to be moving into more positions, and shooting in those areas, this year.

 

[ERWUC65]

I am wondering about Ashlynn’s shot mechanics. It seems to my inexpert eye that her shot is usually rather flat but when she‘s in the rhythm of the offense, the shot goes in, as though the shot was softer. After the ND game, I felt Ash took some unfounded criticism for her scoring as she was looking to score but her shots flattened out even more and were more like line drive fastballs than her usual shot. I’m guessing she was a bit nervous?

My questions:

1. Am I totally wrong on this re: the flat shots? I’m certainly no expert. Maybe I’m missing something.
2. Do Ash’s shooting mechanics change when she gets tight? If so, does it get corrected by just playing these games and letting her figure it out?

I think the criticism of Ash is unfortunate because she’s still a young player, only a sophomore, and she had never played at Purcell Arena, a perfect example of a hostile environment. She’s done so many things right, and so consistently, that I’m not as disappointed with her missing a few shots as other fans. She’s usually mentally tough so if the issue is a mental approach one and not a mechanics one, I have every confidence Ash will figure it out

Generally speaking shots tend to go flat and short when the shooter is stressed. Exception might be Jana who overshoots her first free throw every time. Ash has still not developed a quick enough release, something natural to someone like Azzi, and again, under pressure, she forces the shot. We know how good she is on the open 3, but is still struggling with a contested 3 and her pull up. I notice also that she is still not comfortable driving to the basket. I think if she concentrated on that it would boost her confidence and the rest would all fall in place.

 

[Zonepress]

I am wondering about Ashlynn’s shot mechanics. It seems to my inexpert eye that her shot is usually rather flat but when she‘s in the rhythm of the offense, the shot goes in, as though it was softer. After the ND game, I felt Ash took some unfounded criticism for her scoring as she was looking to score but her shots flattened out even more and were more like line drive fastballs than her usual shot. I’m guessing she was a bit nervous?

My questions:

1. Am I totally wrong on this re: the flat shots? I’m certainly no expert. Maybe I’m missing something.
2. Do Ash’s shooting mechanics change when she gets tight? If so, does it get corrected by just playing these games and letting her figure it out?

I think the criticism of Ash is unfortunate because she’s still a young player, only a sophomore, and she had never played at Purcell Arena, a perfect example of a hostile environment. She’s done so many things right, and so consistently, that I’m not as disappointed with her missing a few shots as other fans. She’s usually mentally tough so if the issue is a mental approach one and not a mechanics one, I have every confidence Ash will figure it out

Very difficult question to answer regarding mechanics
Can make a few observations
Against elite competition (nd Usc last year) not sure she had adjusted to
The size and athleticism
The strength of her game is the pull up mid range
Jump shot which is her “comfort zone” that shot seems hard to get against the top level teams
When only the 3 point shot is available thats
Not her strength and no matter who the player is it’s hard to be effective when you’re made uncomfortable
I think it’s also worth noting that last year she got to play 35 minutes and she got to play thru
A bad shooting night and that not the case this year so the “pressure “ to perform is heightened

I think I heard GA say recently that the players need to get to doing what they did so well in high school because that’s why they were recruited
(I’m paraphrasing)
So perhaps that would be the key for Ashllyn
To be a scorer not a shooter
Not so easy against high-level competition but I believe that’s the key for her






I

 

[HuskyNan]

1) You’re not wrong, her shot is flat. 2) Her mechanics are actually pretty consistent but flawed. When starting her out someone overemphasized keeping her shooting elbow tucked in. That can restrict her ability to launch on a higher arc. N. Muhl is the opposite, her elbow flares a little causing her to shot put the ball on too high an arc. Fudd’s elbow is textbook. Two adjustments needed and the first will take some time. 1) Let the elbow slide out just a little to unlock her shoulder for freer motion. That will take a lot of practice reps and needs to be her primary goal next offseason. 2) Change her focus from shooting AT the front rim to OVER the rim. This can start immediately and can actually help in the short term, especially on her pull up jumpers.

Could she be tucking her elbow in tighter to her body in big games out of nervousness or possibly overthinking the shot?

 

[Next 12]

I have been a fan of ASHLYNN since day one. She is a pure shooter and the only thing I would like her to do ,is be more agressive toward the basket. She's a fantastic free throw shooter and should begetting more foul shots. I have watched every game that I could and tend to see ASHLYNN in her high scoring games seems to get into a groove and she scores. In her low scoring games she seems uncomfortable. I'm waiting for more game experience to see if she responds . I have said ASHLYNN would leave her mark at UCONN in her 4 years there. GO ASHLYNN!!!!!

 

[Bone Dog]

Could she be tucking her elbow in tighter to her body in big games out of nervousness or possibly overthinking the shot?

View attachment 105479

I think you’re right about this speculation. And @BobbyJ makes a good point about the ‘tucked in’ appearance of her shooting motion. It looks a bit ‘unnatural.’ I wonder if when pressured she emphasizes what she was coached since childhood to do and maybe it even becomes slightly exaggerated. It may feel like a safe harbor to her.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

Could she be tucking her elbow in tighter to her body in big games out of nervousness or possibly overthinking the shot?

View attachment 105479 View attachment 105478

That's just how she shoots whether she's missing or making shots It's also worth noting that she's a streaky shooter.

 

[pvdoggy]

It could also be that against tougher competition she has to shoot a little quicker than what she is used to, hence not with the same rhythm so the shots do not go in as much. Same with Allie, obviously she is a much much better 3-pt shooter than we gave seen in games when she had time and take them at her own rhythm but she probably feels like she has to shoot them quicker than what she is used to. Just a guess.

 

[OldSchooler]

Paul Arizin of the old Philadelphia Warriors, a pioneer of the jump shot, used to shoot line-drives, supposedly because he grew up playing in low-ceiling dance halls. Not the best technique. Your hoop target is much larger, the more verticality in the arc. (Take a look at that rainmaker 3 that Morgan hit against Georgetown.)

 

[BobbyJ]

Could she be tucking her elbow in tighter to her body in big games out of nervousness or possibly overthinking the shot?

View attachment 105479 View attachment 105478

I wouldn't think so, there's not any "think" time for shooting available out there. Notice in the pictures how Shade's shoulder is locked in close to her chin as opposed to Fudd. That keeps her from being able to adjust her release point when the shot is contested. You tend to shoot OUT instead of UP from that position, hence the lack of arc. The best release for rotation and consistency comes off your index and middle fingers. Shade's tucked position makes her prone to streaks of the ball coming more off of her ring and little fingers which isn't ideal. See how it's already tilted coming off her hand compared to how square Fudd's is? Christyn Williams had that problem. It creates a sidespin on the ball. Fudd's release is the best and most consistent that I've seen and Bueckers' is close.

 

[HuskyNan]

I’m going to be watching everyone’s elbows now, lol. I did see some pictures of Ash where she’d moved her shooting arm out some. She may be trying to correct her shooting motion but reverted to old habits under stress

 

[Bone Dog]

It creates a sidespin on the ball. Fudd's release is the best and most consistent that I've seen and Bueckers' is close.

Thanks for this insight, @BobbyJ. I’d always wondered why the rotation of the ball is such a good indicator of shot mechanics and you’ve answered this for me.

 

[DefenseBB]

Nan, as they say, "a picture is worth a thousand words" and the two pictures highlight exactly a form issue with Ash (but also miss a key ingredient), Ash's guide hand is below the ball, not to the side of it so the shot can go errant (left or right). What Ash does to compensate is have a tremendous amount of backspin on the ball (more so than any other player on the team) to help keep the line true. Compare that to Aubrey's shot which has very little spin at all. Sarah has the flattest shot of the whole team and yes, Ash could use a little more height in my view, but it is awfully hard to change a form that has been honed. In baseball to change your swing at ages 18-21, will take 10,000+ repetitions which is really hard to get done. As you get older and the muscle memory is ingrained, it gets harder to change.

Basketball is not baseball but my point is to modify her arc or form will take a huge effort that needs to occur in the off-season and even then there is no guarantee it would be as effective as it is now. Ash does a really nice job of setting her feet, squaring her shoulders and has a nice release but against the elite teams, I think she just gets too nervous and doesn't have the same confidence.

The two players I have concerns about are KK and Ice. Ice also has a "form issue" on her jumper but KK's shot is something I need to take a longer look at to see if there is a form problem or just a bad luck component.

Azzi has had a slow start to shooting but we know her form is picture perfect so eventually we will see success. Maybe the same with KK as she did finally make a 3 yesterday.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

Nina Davis shot over 55% for her career at Baylor. If there was a shooting form that ever needed fixing...it was hers.

 

[victor64]

After comparing the pictures of Ash and Azzi, it is the left hand and arm of Ash's that I have issues with. Notice 's left elbow is almost pointing away from the target and the whole arm is soft. The left hand is barely touching the ball.

If Ash moved her left hand from the front of the ball to the side of the ball and softened her left shoulder and arm, it would free up the release and create the arc she needs on those short jumpers.

Azzi does a drill where she puts her left hand behind her back. This forces her to practice releasing the ball in front of her in the same spot every time. The left hand when she puts it on the ball is barely touching.

I coached for over 25 years and studied shooting mechanics a bunch.

 

[sun]

Sometimes Ash gets a whole lot of elevation when she shoots & other times she doesn't. I think that could affect the amount of arc & trajectory of her shot. Shooting while moving is a whole different process than when shooting from a stationary position. And when players rush their shots & add in oving & trying to avoid defenders & there's bound be more inconsistencies. She works like a dog on defense so that must add some degree of fatigue & distraction from her concentration when shooting.

 

[donalddoowop]

I am wondering about Ashlynn’s shot mechanics. It seems to my inexpert eye that her shot is usually rather flat but when she‘s in the rhythm of the offense, the shot goes in, as though the shot was softer. After the ND game, I felt Ash took some unfounded criticism for her scoring as she was looking to score but her shots flattened out even more and were more like line drive fastballs than her usual shot. I’m guessing she was a bit nervous?

My questions:

1. Am I totally wrong on this re: the flat shots? I’m certainly no expert. Maybe I’m missing something.
2. Do Ash’s shooting mechanics change when she gets tight? If so, does it get corrected by just playing these games and letting her figure it out?

I think the criticism of Ash is unfortunate because she’s still a young player, only a sophomore, and she had never played at Purcell Arena, a perfect example of a hostile environment. She’s done so many things right, and so consistently, that I’m not as disappointed with her missing a few shots as other fans. She’s usually mentally tough so if the issue is a mental approach one and not a mechanics one, I have every confidence Ash will figure it out

Shade has missed more than four shots before and scored in double figures because she took more shots. Unless a player is an exceptional shooter, taking only four shots and not making any is not unusual. Shade does other things to help her team.

 

[Centerstream]

Could she be tucking her elbow in tighter to her body in big games out of nervousness or possibly overthinking the shot?

View attachment 105479 View attachment 105478

Great example of what you are asking about HuskyNan.
I have always thought that Ashlynn's outside shot was different but they usually went in. It seemed to me that she was almost touching her forehead when she shot (this is a slight exaggeration obviously).