When a player has to shoot from a different stance, they have a new problem to solve.
They still want the ball to go in. They need to work out how to organize the movement from that position.
Differential learning, or DL, deliberately introduces movement variation into practice. In a basketball shooting activity, that might mean changing the stance, release speed, or arc between attempts. Our article on the theory of differential learning in basketball shooting explains the research behind it.
You can introduce it with a short block and a few clear options.
Explain the Intention to Players
Tell players that they are exploring different ways to shoot.
Keep the goal clear: find a way to send the ball into the basket, hit the front of the rim, or score a BRAD or a swish.
Try This Five Minute Differential Learning Shooting Block
Work in pairs, with one player shooting and one rebounding. Use three attempts each, then swap.
First minute: Shoot from different locations and ranges. Most BRADs or swishes wins.
Next few minutes: vary the DL activity. On each minute, change one condition. The player can choose from:
- Vary the stance on every shot.
- Shoot off two feet and land on one.
- Vary the release speed (fast, slow, normal).
- Vary the shooting arc.
Final minute: reflect. Ask which change was challenging and what the player noticed about getting the ball to the basket.
These timings are a starting point. Keep it shorter if the group needs a simpler introduction.
You can use a familiar external cue such as BRADs (Back Rim And Down) if it helps direct attention toward a target. We explore cues like this in what external cues are optimal to develop better shooters.
Free resource
21 SSGs for your next practice.
A free PDF of small-sided games you can run right away. A practical first taste of the approach.
Adjust the Amount of Variation
More unusual is not automatically more useful.
Use the MAYA principle (Most Advanced Yet Acceptable) to meet your players where they are. If a variation is uncomfortable, choose another. It is important to build trust with players before going all in with something they have not done before.
Watch the player and notice which DL variation could help them improve their shooting.
Use Differential Learning Shooting for Load Management
DL shooting can also help with load management. In five minutes, players can get up around 50 shots each. Coaches can use it to let players rest while transitioning from one small-sided game to another, or use it more on low stress days.
Practice can be intentionally broken up with three five minute blocks, so players rest while still getting up an extra 150 shots.
Include Opportunities to Choose a Shot
DL emphasizes movement variation. Representative shooting practice is about making the decision before the shot.
They can appear in the same session.
After the exploration block, play a live contested shooting game. Let the receiver shoot, drive, or pass according to what the defense gives them. Our guide to coaching basketball shot selection has more ideas.
The Transforming shooting development guide connects these ideas with the wider shooting environment.
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