Coaches’ Corner- Hey Coach, Let Me Shoot Threes

I remember after a huge win, all of us were celebrating. It was one of those wins where players and coaches were really excited. Twenty minutes after the buzzer, a parent came up to me and asked,”Coach, why can’t my daughter get to shoot threes like the other players?” 

The problem was that the daughter had never worked on threes in the off-season, and had never worked on shooting threes in practice. There were opportunities before and after practices, and some players came in on Sundays and would shoot on the Gun. The daughter never shot extra. 

I explained to the parent that as coaches, we want players to shoot shots in games that they work on in practice, and shots they can make in practice. I added that the player had not invested time on developing a three point shot. As a result, in practice scrimmages when she did take threes, her shooting percentage wasn’t at a level that we want players to be able to shoot in games. 

I am sure my explanation was not something the parent bought into, but at least it was a way to get the player to start working on her threes. 

Since I have retired, I have heard of coaches who set up a plan to evaluate three point shooting, give players feedback about their ability, and give them motivation. Here is an example of a program….

Regular Testing

The players regularly shoot 100 threes with a rebounder- 10 in right corner, 10 at right wing, 10 at top of key, 10 at left wing, and 10 in left corner. Then they go back around so they finish shooting 100 threes. 

The goal for a player is to make 60 threes. The logic is based on the concept that a player who shoots 60% when unguarded in practice will usually shoot 25% less in games. So if a player is shooting 60% on this drill would be a 35% three point shooter in games. 

Shooters who can score at this level are considered to be a “Green Light,” shooter. Being a “Green Light” three point shooter meant that this player could take threes in games whenever they were open. 

Shooters who make 50 threes are given the “Yellow Light.” Making 50 might predict they would be a 25% shooter games. The “Yellow Light” shooters had the following guidelines- they can take threes but cannot miss more than two threes, and they cannot shoot a three in the fourth quarter. 

Shooters who cannot make 50 are given the “Red Light”, which means they cannot shoot threes in games. 

Measurement and Motivation

The purpose of the shooting drill is to help give players feedback about their skill level, and to help motivate them to work on their shooting. If done regularly, the players may begin to want to work to reach the targets in the drill. 

Two Point Range

Some coaches develop a similar plan for testing for mid-range two’s. The test is shooting back and forth, elbow to elbow with one rebounder. The player shoots 50 total shots. If they can make 35, they are a Green Light shooter. If they can make 30, they are a Yellow Light shooter. It would mean that the Red Light shooters after this drill are limited to shooting within only a restricted area near the basket. 

Coaching Adjustments

Each coach can take a test like this, and make the adjustments that best meet their program. For example…

1- Determine how often the players take the test. Maybe for some coaches it is once a week for throughout the season. 

2- Determine how often to do the test in the off-season as well. 

3- Adjust the threshold levels to meet your team’s needs. 

4- Adjust what it means to be Green, Yellow, Red.

Hey Player, Are You Serious About Becoming a 3 Point Shooter

If a player is serious about becoming a three point shooter, in the off-season they should have a plan. I would suggest the following:

100 Made 3’s Daily- 5 days per week make 100 threes. Make 20 in each corner, 20 at each wing, and 20 at the top of the key. 

Players Need to Know

Being a great high school player means being a good three point shooter. 

A high school player who can’t make threes becomes a role player offensively. 

Shooting threes in a game is something players must earn.