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