Transforming Basketball
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Decision making

How to Coach Basketball Shot Selection

Alex Sarama
30. März 20261 min read

At Transforming Basketball, we designate shots into a medal system with shots being declared gold, silver or bronze medal shots.

Gold medal shots are those upon which we value the most, including foul shots and finishes inside the smile. Shots considered to be valued slightly below gold as “Silver Medals” are catch and shoot threes, particularly in the corners. Finally Bronze Medal Shots are off the dribble 3s and non-rim paint shots. All the other shots included in the shot spectrum are considered to be of relatively low value and aren’t included in the medal system. There can of course be exemptions for particular players at higher levels.

Shot selection medals: gold for fouls, layups and dunks, silver for spot-up threes, bronze for off-dribble threes

Want to build a complete shooting system with your team? Check out The Shooting System course.

To start taking better shots with your team, it is as simple as constraining the “medals” that players can attempt in your small-sided games and scrimmages. For instance, having large stretches of practice where you only attempt gold and silver medal shots will lead to your players not only running more efficient offense, but also improving their spacing habits simultaneously.

Within our Transforming community, we asked coaches how they are teaching shot selection to their team. Here are some great ideas offered by Matt Sanders and Ryan Josephson…

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sherwood bowmen shot scale

Finally, here are other ways college coaches teach shot selection:

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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Transforming Basketball (@transformingbasketball)

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Alex Sarama, Founder, Transforming Basketball

Alex Sarama

Founder, Transforming Basketball

About the author

Alex Sarama

Alex Sarama is the founder of Transforming Basketball and Head Coach of the Portland Fire in the WNBA. Alex was previously Assistant Coach and Head of Player Development for the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the sports world, he is regarded as a leading voice within skill acquisition and the constraints-led approach.

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