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TESTIMONIALS -- BATCH #7
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(From an experienced and respected coach in Australia.)
"Teaching shooting for so long has been one of the toughest aspects of
our sport to teach. The SWISH method provides a new perspective to
coaching this vital fundamental and we have found it most beneficial in
improving the consistency of our players.
"I cannot recommend this method highly enough in assisting any player
improve their shot."
-- Peter Lonergan, Development Manager,
Frankston & District Basketball Association
Australia
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Second one from Peter:
"Coach, Just thought I would give you an update on how we are
progressing with the changes in teaching shooting at our association.
First, the change has energised our coaching group, to be able to teach
shooting and see the results is very rewarding and we are enjoying the
challenge. Obviously, there is no change without some pain and some
coaches are struggling to come to terms with the changes.
"After years of "BEEF" and "lock & snap," it will be a gradual
process but we are singing the song.
"It is interesting, we have a player in our senior men's team, who has
played a club record 362 games and is respected as one of the finest
players in the SEABL, the second tier of senior competition in
Australia behind our NBL. He is a career 46% three point shooter and
once we started to use some of your principles, we realised that he had
been adopting many of the principles of your system for years,
obviously un-beknown to him.
"He has his lead foot foot quite forward and his follow through is very
relaxed, very little tension in the wrist at the point of release. This
is a useful "selling tool" for our new teaching philosophy!
"Again, thanks for opening the door on some of the most exciting
changes/advancements in shooting for 20 years!"
Regards, Peter
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"Hi Tom, It has been quite a while since I wrote, but I continue to
read your articles with interest and also applaud your decision to
develop a complete curriculum for teaching coaches your revolutionary
ideas on shooting.
"Just a few notes while I am on the keyboard:
"I took a year off from coaching after some disappointments in 2001. I
didn't get the high school job I wanted, but did have a successful year
coaching 5th and 6th grade girls.
"Being out of coaching for a full year was agony for me, though, after
a few months, and became unbearable when I went to all my
Granddaughter's games last Winter and had to observe the team playing
with almost no shooting skills and no coaching to be seen either.
"Nevertheless, I began coaching Ashley, who began 5th grade last Fall,
late in the Summer and she made the 7th Grade team easily. I started
her on the Swish Method, and for some reason, she did well at first,
then didn't improve for a while. I then went back and tried some of the
old ideas I learned from Ace Hofstein, a shooting coach who uses the
square up method to teach shooting. Same problem....
"Then I read one of your articles that was on your site in the coaching
department and you said that the coach's job was not to correct, but to
act as a guide to make players aware of their bodies, the flight of the
ball, and to encourage them to think about what happened when they shot
and how it felt, and to be aware of what was happening and to do what
seemed natural within the general framework of good shooting principles
relating to using a constant pure release, and using UP-Force from the
legs and body and the angle of the shot to determine distance for the
shot, etc.
"I had had a somewhat frustrating day (for us both, I suspect) with
Ashley that day and I decided to change my approach from saying "Shoot
higher!", "Use your legs"!, "Follow through!", etc, etc, and instead, I
told her that today we were going to just have her shoot and she would
think about her shot and say what she felt and what she thought might
fix the problem if she felt there was one.
"It was an amazing thing. She was relaxed and when she missed a shot,
she thought and then talked about what she thought happened. I nodded
and said nothing , or said "Ok", and she shot again. The only thing I
did was, from time to time, reinforce the ideas of simple pure release
with a relaxed wrist, catching the wave of the UP Force, and that
higher shots saw a bigger target. No suggestions were made at all about
a particular shot, I just listened most of the time and rebounded and
threw her the ball.
"The result was that she was swishing shots within 15 minutes with a
set point over her head at the free throw line. She just turned 11 and
is 5'3" and wiry and slim, unlike her ole Grandpa (me). I used this
method on a 10 year old the other day in a 20 minute session with a
similar result, though we used a low set point that allowed her to just
see the basket over the ball.
"Tom, you have found an important principle of shooting here. Not only
are your mechanics of shooting sound, but the more important thing is
to teach self discovery and the body's ability to learn if it is not
interfered with too much by a coach's constant admonitions to do this
and do that and the other thing.
"Your personality lends itself well to that style and it was natural
for you to adapt it, but in my case, I always love to correct and
demand it be done my way as a coach. I had to learn that sometimes it
is better to provide guidance than a detailed rote routine to memorize,
specially in something that is so tied to the state of the mind and
one's self confidence like shooting. I know that you know these things,
but I want to encourage you anyway, because I have tried it both ways
and have seen how much wiser your philosophy is on this matter."
-- Mike Burke, Illinois
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(Editor's note: The following three entries are from a father and son
after a 3 hour small group session in Indiana last fall. They had had
the video for awhile and this was the first time we got together in
person. Ryan was already a top player for his age. This coaching helped
him reach a higher level of performance. Note in this first letter his
dad said his son thought I would see his great stroke and congratulate
him. It didn't happen that way, but the outcome was far beyond what
either of them expected.)
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"Tom - Ryan has always been a good shooter. The coaches at his high
school call him 'Rainman' because the arc on his shot is higher than
anyone else on the team. He has always hit a high percentage of his
shots from all distances. The night before the session with you, Ryan
scored 15 points - including three-of-five from beyond the arc. He may
have walked into the gym believing that, after watching him shoot, you
would pat him on the back and tell him nothing can be done to improve
that shot. Of course that didn't happen, but what did happen was
amazing. I'm sure, and more importantly Ryan is convinced, that because
of the three hours you and Ryan spent together, he has the information
and tools he needs to become a great shooter.
"It was so interesting to watch him as you spoke and demonstrated the
arm movement you believe is necessary to develop a consistent stroke.
He struggled at first to adapt his shot. Ryan has always been taught to
"finish high and stick his hand in the cookie jar". Your philosophy of
fully extending the arm and finishing with a relaxed wrist is contrary
to all of the work Ryan has done for two years, and breaking that
muscle memory was tough for him for about 30-minutes. I left the gym to
get something to eat, but when I got back, my wife Julie grabbed me and
said that I really needed to see Ryan. She said he hadn't missed a shot
from anywhere in 15 minutes. One look in his eyes told me that a switch
had flipped. He hit shot after shot after shot with beautiful arc and
very consistent rotation.
"There was a time when Ryan was in the fourth and fifth grade when his
upper body wasn't strong enough to get the ball to the rim from out
side 15-feet without using a lot of legs in his shot. The result of
concentrating on his lower body was a beautiful shot that had sort of
evaporated over the years - replaced by a nice looking shot by today's
standards. That great stroke of the fifth grade Ryan was back, and the
results were also very similar.
"On the way home, all Ryan could talk about was how much fun he had
shooting after learning your method. Monday after practice, he shot for
two-and-a-half hours. Ryan has always worked hard on his shot, but
after about an hour his arm would get tired and he would have to stop.
He was ecstatic that he can now work on shooting "as long as I want
because my arm doesn't get tired anymore." The concentration on UpForce
and using the lower body has taken all of the strain off his arm.
"We've spent money on videotapes before - put together by people who
were great shooters themselves - but after watching them, Ryan and I
were confused. There have been two that I haven't even let him watch
because they were too complicated, and I believe in any athletic
endeavor - the simpler the instruction the better. There are different
rules for different shots, and it is all too complex for me. Your
technique and the way you communicate it, makes your method much easier
to implement.
"There is a simplicity in philosophy and communication that allowed
Ryan to understand and develop right there in front of us last Sunday.
Add your enthusiasm for basketball and teaching, and this was perfect
for Ryan.
"What a gift the session on Sunday was (and is) for Ryan. Your
dedication to developing an easy-to-learn and understand system is
greatly appreciated by our family. Everyone involved in basketball
bemoans the erosion of shooting ability in the game, and I believe
learning your system can be a huge advantage for a player of any
ability who wants to work hard to become the kind of great shooter that
is so rare these days. People who check their ego at the door can walk
away from a session with you as a considerably better shooter than when
they walk in.
"I'll let you know how Ryan does through the rest of the season and
beyond."
-- K. Sterling, Indianapolis
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"Tom - Just an update on Ryan. He hit a 26-footer jumper at the buzzer
last night to force a second overtime in a game Cathedral ultimately
lost, but the varsity team is using him more and more. Without a doubt,
he is working harder and smarter because of your generosity with him a
couple of months ago. The game was taped for broadcast last night on
channel 40, so when we came home we took a look at both of his threes,
and the arc caused the ball to leave the screen. I looked at Ryan and
asked him if he knew someone who would like that arc, and he said,
"Coach Nordland".
"He's hit his last four threes in varsity, and hits from everywhere in
the JV games. He had 34 in a 45-38 win last weekend. He's really
blossomed since your workout. I included the link to today's
Indianapolis Star story about last night's game. The end of the piece
mentions Ryan a bit, with a nice quote from the head coach.
"The assistant varsity coach told Ryan last weekend that if he can
improve defensively that he'll be an Indiana all-star. It's a long way
off, but Ryan was excited to hear this pretty reserved guy speak that
enthusiastically about his future.
"Ryan is too modest to write to you himself about his accomplishments,
but he says thanks."
-- K. Sterling, Indianapolis
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(Ed's note: but he did write -- read the following comments.)"
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"Dear Coach Nordland, The main thing that making me a consistent
shooter is working on the right things, like using the upforce that you
talked about. That keys everything for me. If I use the upforce, my
elbow locks and my wrist flops. Using the work routine you showed me,
starting where you just use your arms then moving back to where you
jump and use upforce, helps to get my shot in rhythm. By working almost
every day my shot gets more and more consistent. Before I shoot I
always think that this is going straight through the net and it is
going to be a swish. Thanks for all your help."
-- R. Sterling, Indianapolis
(From Tom: Ryan is a 9th grader this year at Cathedral High School)
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"Tom, I have become a great believer in your method. Last year I became
frustrated when my daughter just couldn't "get it" shooting so I got
your video. It was hard for me to unlearn my years of coaching, but my
daughter and I both learned together and she's significantly improved
her shooting, especially from 15+ feet. There are still some issues,
but I'm certain she'll work those out over time.
"I am now putting on 'mini-clinics' based upon your SWISH method for
players in the local community education program. I have modified the
teaching a bit to keep the parents off my back. Everyone learned the
"square up; elbow under the hand" method and I get an earful when I
teach the more relaxed and natural SWISH method.
"My solution has been to essentially show both methods, explain they
are both valid, but each player should try them both and see which
feels better or more natural. The goal, as you so aptly stated, is to
control the flight of the ball to the basket, so whatever works for the
individual is the best method. I work hard on having the players be
aware of their shot and how slight variations feel and then how those
slight variations that feel better actually help or hinder the flight
of the ball.
"In the end, about half of any group I work with seem to improve their
shot during the few hours we are together. I feel there should be some
type of follow-up clinic to encourage the players to continue to work
on and gain confidence in their new shot so they start using it in game
situations instead of just practice."
-- S. Meidell, Massachusetts
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(Another comment by S. Meidell)
"Since I could probably write several 'newsletter' length notes about
shooting, I thought I might share another minor insight.
"I've recently been disappointed to find that several travel team, AAU
and school coaches are teaching the young players to make their 'set
point' next to the ear/above the shoulder. I've seen this technique in
a number players who come to my mini-clinics and I finally watched two
coaches working with a middle school player shooting free throws. For
all the reasons you've noted, and a few of my own, it is frustrating to
see young players being taught what I feel is a technique that can't be
translated for later years when the player is both taller and stronger.
"This is a touch difficult to explain without diagrams, but...my
revelation was that this "next to the ear/over the shoulder" position
is taught with a square stance (both feet pointing to the basket, hips
square, etc.). If you keep the ball and hand position in 3 dimensions
exactly the same and have the player open their stance, allowing for
some rotation of the shoulder, you get a good eye- ball-basket
alignment with a more relaxed shoulder and arm which can then use the
rest of your method. I've used this where I know the team coach works
on this "next to the ear/over the shoulder" form. This allows the
player to get mostly consistent help from two separate coaches and just
allows them to see the alternative, and hopefully more natural feel, of
the open stance.
"As you may be able to tell, my whole goal in teaching is not to force
a particular method (although I do believe yours is about as good as it
gets) nor imply all the teaching they've gotten to this point is wrong.
I try to show there are alternatives or variations of what they are
doing or learning that may be able to help the flight of the ball and
make their shot easier and more accurate. If they see that use of a
couple of these variations makes a difference in a short session with
me, hopefully, they'll start to incorporate these changes into their
shot.
"I offer an hour of shoot around time at a local gym each week during
the season for those who have gone through a mini-clinic to give the
players a chance to experiment and work on their awareness in a
supportive environment (although I do admit I tend to emphasize the
SWISH method). This is where I hope they start to see what works and
what doesn't work, and gain confidence in that set of mechanics that
works for them."
-- Regards, S. Meidell, Massachusetts
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"Tom: Two years ago I took over a program that was horrible. I had been
out of coaching for 12 years. For two years I have tried to get our
players to develop good shooting technique, but no matter what I tried
we were a horrible shooting team from both the FT line and field. This
spring I began reading your newsletters, read the testimonies of
players, coaches and parents who have used the SWISH method. I knew I
had to do something to get things turned around. I ordered your video.
I had to watch it at least two times before I became a "semi" believer.
I shared it with my coaching staff and a couple of parents. We all
agreed it was something we should pursue.
"We set up a weekly shooting session that was run by a volunteer
parent. I can't begin to tell you how much improvement we have seen in
many of our players in just a short period of time. Our players are
beginning to understand how to use the upforce to power their shots and
to rely less on arm strength. Players are "aiming high" and we are
seeing more shots go in because of the arch they are using on their
shots.
"I held mini camps for players entering grades 1-9. Each camp was
3-hours long. The first two days were used (just) to learn and work
with the SWISH method of shooting. All players made progress, and many
of the JH players made tremendous progress. The third day of the camp
was for individual offensive skills. You can bet that we reinforced the
SWISH method as the girls went through the shooting drills using their
offensive moves.
"I want to share one particular case from our mini camp with you. On
the second day as we started camp I showed the group a portion of your
SWISH video. It is the part where the little left handed girl is
shooting. We broke down her technique. It was a great visual. We also
watched the next two male players shoot and studied their high release
points. This helped our players to see someone their own age, or
younger, successfully use the SWISH method.
"About midway through our second day of camp we were working on short
bank shots just above the block. Again emphasizing the SWISH method. We
had a little girl who will be a second grader next year make four shots
in a row and was displaying great SWISH technique. I stopped the camp
and had this little girl show everyone (about 35 players) how she was
being successful using the SWISH method. Not only did all the campers
get a kick out of watching this little girl have success, but the
confidence and positive self gratification in the little girl's face
was glowing. It gets better, this same little girl the day before could
not get the ball to a 10 foot basket.
"We did not have adjustable rims so we taped off squares on the wall at
8 1/2 feet for the younger players to shoot at. By the end of the
second day, not one younger player needed to shoot at the square on the
wall. Each was having enough success of getting the ball to the basket
they refused to use the square.
"I know we are in the early stages of developing good shooting for the
entire program, but if we continue to make as much progress as we have
already made, no telling how well we will shoot the ball come season
time."
-- R. Lyttle, Hamilton, OH
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"Hi Tom, I just wanted to say thanks for the great clinic you put on in
Potomac MD. My daughter Alyssa really had a great experience, and was
helped in the process. She came home and the next day began to work on
the things taught in the clinic. She was shooting from 10-12 feet and
beyond and I saw her hit 12 consecutive shots, then 8 in a row, etc.
"I was out of town this past week, but she was working on her own.
She's shooting about 150 shots per day. She told me she hit 15 in a row.
"Yesterday she finally got a few minutes of playing time for her middle
school team. She was fouled while trying to make a put-back. She went
to the line and sank the first shot- hitting nothing but net! The other
team called time out. After play resumed she shot the 2nd shot and
'swish,' nothing but net! The net was hardly disturbed on either shot.
She told me later 'that new form really works!'
"Again, thanks for the investment in my daughter. I hope our paths
cross again."
-- S. Worley, Mechanicsville, Virginia
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"It works!
"My daughter has been playing basketball since she was six years old.
She is now thirteen. She has always been recognized as one of the best
defenders around. If someone was killing us with her shooting, the
coach would always put my daughter on her and shut her down. That fact
and the fact that she always hustled to get steals and could rebound
like someone much taller allowed her to play on some pretty good teams.
"The problem was, she couldn't through it in the ocean. It got to the
point she was afraid to shoot, thankfully she became a very good
passer. About a year ago I purchased your video and we set about
changing her shot. It didn't happen over night and I must admit there
were several times we both almost gave up but this month she tried out
for and made the middle school team.
"I am not bragging when I say this is a powerhouse team. Thirty five
girls tried out for ten spots and my daughter bagged one of them.
Before trying out, a former coach told her, "just do what you do best,
they have plenty of scorers on that team". But now, not only is she
doing "what she does best", she's a scorer too! One night she was four
for seven and the next she was four for six and added a free throw.
That's nine points in twelve minutes. (I told you they were a
powerhouse, no one has played over twelve minutes in any game).
"Another former coach asked me what happened to her, she said, "she
couldn't hit the broad side of a barn last year". She wasn't being mean
spirited, we all knew she was right. I just wanted you to know, I am
not writing this for any sort of publication, just to thank you for
helping us find her shot. Keep up the good work."
-- G. Hartley, Kingsport, Tennessee
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Great job!
"I bought your instructional tape last March and both of my sons have
become disciples of 'UpForce.' I emailed you last spring to tell you of
their successes and you courteously replied. I thank you for that.
"New update: Both 3rd grader and 6th grader have had a good year.
However, last summer, little did I know I would have to coach the 6th
grade team. I had not coached a great deal in my life but I did play
high school ball many moons ago.
"I decided I would start the kids at square one. We watched the
"upforce" video one evening and then practiced all of your techniques.
Other than warm-ups our first week of practice consisted of nothing but
'UpForce'. Two years ago this team was 1-14. This year their record was
10-5 (should have been 12-3 but they had a bad coach) and we beat both
of the teams that played for the league championship. Our foul shooting
was between 80-85%.
"Credit where credit is due: Our team has gained some height, seven
kids with great heart, and a little video titled 'UpForce.'
"You have probably heard this a million times but....
"May the UPFORCE be with you!"
-- K. Wilson, Morgantown, West Virginia
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Here are some more remarkable testimonials. One, the first, reports on
his tremendous breakthroughs JUST from reading the Swish Workbook that
accompanies the video.
"Hello Tom, I did some shooting in the side yard before reading the
booklet accompanying your video (ok, I'd scanned the booklet). I shot
ok, I've always shot ok, pretty well as a kid. I used to pride myself
on my precise arm shooting and would wax philosophically about where my
elbows were positioned. Then 2 weeks ago I read the booklet like I was
preparing for finals.
"At rec league ball last week I put what I'd read into motion. Keep in
mind that I hadn't really played since about 1985 until this year. I
started my usual game of defense and passing. Then I started to shoot,
and shoot, and shoot (until guilt made me back off). It was as if there
was a string running from my legs through my line of sight, up through
the ball and my finger tips and through the middle of the basket. At
one point I made 8 straight 3 pointers. In between games I sank 10
straight free throws, backed up a step and rang out another string.
"Last night I started off half a bubble off plumb, adjusted my leg push
up, then started up again. Shooting in between games I did an around
the world from baseboard to baseboard from behind
the three point arc then back. Finally "the guys" refused to pass the
ball back out. My in game
shooting wasn't quite as sharp but I had really opened up some eyes.
"I got to tell you Tom, this is all before I've watched the video. This
is based [just] on the book. I'll be watching the video real soon. I'm
already a believer and can't wait to start coaching my 4th/5th grade
girls team next fall. I'll be teaching your shooting technique with
absolute confidence.
"And, I can't believe I'm writing such a fan mail type email. A pretty
fawning letter to a Minnesotan from a born-and-bred Iowan, I'd say!"
-- Best, P. Wingate, Hadley, MA
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"Tom, I am greatly enjoying reading all the monthly newsletters ---
they are very helpful.
Also I have been reviewing the SWISH videotape this fall to help me in
my coaching -- I'm
coaching a 7th and 8th grade team and the assistant coach for a high
school girls' varsity team.
"Two exercises from your tape have been very helpful in helping the
players develop their shots -- the first being where the players shoot
to a partner about 10 or 12 feet away. We incorporate this into a
passing drill so that one player passes, the other catches and shoots.
It's great to see the shots get gradually higher and the backspin get
better as the drill progresses. The players naturally involve their
legs and the UpForce more in this drill as they try to get the ball to
come down directly on their partner's head.
"The other exercise is where players shoot a foul shot (or a closer
shot) and call out where the ball is going to end up, so as to increase
their awareness and feel. Usually it only takes four or five attempts
before players become very good at feeling where the shot is going --
left, right, short, long or in. Short and long are the tough ones for
my players -- that seems to be a more sophisticated feel that is
tougher to master than right or left.
"Recently, after some poor free throw shooting in games, my high school
team started working on foul shots more in practice. We did the
feel-call-your-shot drill, then I had them do it with their eyes
closed. At first they didn't believe I wanted them to shoot with eyes
closed, but when they did it they loved it. I believe that if a coach
can get his players to do this exercise he will help their shooting
immensely. The players were amazed that they (1) made foul shots with
their eyes closed, and (2) could so accurately tell where the shot was
going to land. And once they started doing it, they couldn't get enough
of it.
"Thanks very much for all your work"
-- M. Gillis, Salt Lake City"
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"Mr. Nordland, I just wanted to thank you very much for taking the time
to come to the Washington, D.C. area and put on your clinic. I only
wish I had also signed up my son! My daughter, Melanie, was in your
afternoon clinic and just loved it. It is just amazing what she
learned. I thought that 4 hours of shooting might be a lot for an 11
year-old to take in, but she just ate it up! She came home and
continued shooting. All she could do for the rest of the weekend was
talk about shooting and how much she learned! Thanks for all of the
inspiration! I will continually check your web site for future clinics
-- I hope you make it back to the east coast next fall. Thanks again
very much."
-- K. Leas, D.C. area
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"I just picked up your video. It is awesome. I love it, it is the best.
I already see my shot improving dead swish every time. I can't miss a
shot. I feel like an old school or like Pistol Pete. I played a pickup
game recently and nailed seven 3-pointers with only one miss. The
onlookers went crazy. The defense didn't affect me either. Thanx to
your broom exercise. I now have completed my arsenal with a shot,
including game knowledge, and handles. My NBA dreams are now in full
swing. And one more thing Tom, why didn't you go to the NBA? You would
have done great with your shooting technique. I would have loved to see
you go against Larry Bird. Thanx for everything!!"
-- E. Michaels
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"I made a great discovery about shooting last September. I learned to
practice.
"I have read everything you have published on the web. I've probably
read every one of them at least twice. Somehow I just hadn't really got
it, not until last September when I made great progress. This season
I've played in an unfamiliar team in an unfamiliar city, since I
started to study in an university. I was doing well in my new team,
getting playing time, scoring points because I was such a good shooter.
But I haven't had time to practice during the winter and my shot
started to slip back to the old. And when I did have time to practice I
was just basically wasting my time.
"Now I'm on a holiday and trying to regain my form. I also wish to
increase my range. First I realized that my limited range was due to
lack of power. I have a good release ( I can't force myself to say it's
great but I have mastered it to some degree) but I lose the release as
I move back. I haven't practiced what you call the UpForce ( I think
it's a great name) very much so I thought it would be easy to just work
on that while of course giving notice to the release and the sun would
be shining again. Easier said than done. I had also forgot how to
learn, how to practice during the winter. I've always had the
difficulty to complicating things.
"Last September I realized how very simple learning is. Somehow I just
didn't get what I was to do when going to shoot: What to look at, what
kind of mindset should I have. All became complicated, practicing
became waste of time, in plain words: I learned nothing. Just an hour
ago I was outside shooting in our driveway, I live in Finland so it's
rare to be able to shoot outside during the winter and even then gloves
are a must. I was missing as usual and not making any progress.
"Then all of a sudden everything clicked. I was just about to leave
when I captured the feel I used to have and again I was making
everything. First I did my routine work from in-close on my release and
when I got that down I move to 13-14 feet and started to work on the
UpForce. I was going back and forth catching a lot of it. I tried to
look at the basket in different ways, to be relaxed when going to shoot
but nothing seemed to work, I just didn't learn. The thing I then
realized was that all I had to do was to channel my mind fully to the
shot, that is to say to be completely in the moment. It was only then
that my body could learn as the mind wasn't interrupting.
"I was giving the normal feedback of when in the jumping motion I
released and my body just got it. I'm pretty sure that the difference
was in my mindset since that was the only thing I changed. All along
the answer was so simple that it seemed too simple. Just connecting to
the basket. I'm looking forward for tomorrow and new chances to learn
but that's just great about this journey that I'm on that I can only
get closer and closer but there's always a ways to go."
-- Risto ja Anja Autto, Finland
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"Hi Tom, I bought your Swish video a few months ago. I decided to try
it and see what happened to my shooting first. I would play pick up
games at work during lunch, usually 3 on 3's. I was always the worst
percentage shooter on either side. To make a long story short, I'm
starting to see a big improvement in my shooting. It's not just me but
the other guys I play with tell me so.
"I concentrated on several of your key points. Constant upper body
release (what you use to call "zero point release"), power from the
legs (UpForce), and a high arch. When I practice on my own I always
start off with the zero point release until I make a lot of swishes
from about 5 feet away. Then I step back a few feet and start to add
the leg power to my constant arm release. I pay attention to putting a
high arch to my shot and adjust it a little for different distances. If
I get the other details and practice more then I know I'll even get
better.
"I feel confident enough to start teaching these few points to my 8th
grade girls b-ball team soon. Thank you and I'll write again if I feel
I've hit another milestone in my shooting or my team's shooting."
-- V. Magno, Fremont, Calif.
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"I once again want to thank you for the terrific clinics you put on
this weekend. The coaches' clinic was very informative and really
fundamentally changed some of my ideas about how to shoot and how to
teach the art of perfecting the shot. I have always felt that the coach
is teaching players how to make their own evaluations of situations,
their own decisions, etc. Your method teaches players to evaluate their
shot so that they can continually make improvements.
"I also sincerely appreciate your allowing me to assist you at the
clinic the following afternoon. The clinic really cemented in my mind
the methods you use in coaching shooters. This was a very energizing
experience and I look forward to sharing what I learned with my players
so that they may all benefit from the "Swish" method. I intend to run
my own "Swish" clinic for my players, utilizing your lesson plans and
teaching principles.
"Best of all, I got to watch three of my players grow immeasurably in
the course of one afternoon. When we finished, one of my players stayed
around and was shooting free throws. Her shooting had improved so much
that she couldn't help but hang around the gym and watch that beautiful
shot fall time after time - even after spending four hours in the gym
that afternoon. And I was amazed to see a girl who had been struggling
from the line taking free throws and finding it next to impossible to
miss a shot. She was in an amazing zone and, on those rare occasions
when she missed, she knew what she had done wrong, corrected it, and
knocked down another string of 7-8 straight. While 7-8 straight makes
from the line might not set any world records in any age group, for her
it is a remarkable turnaround.
"I spoke with a coaching colleague who sent a daughter to the clinic.
He was very impressed with the video. His son, a star shooting guard at
one of the local private schools here in DC with a great natural shot,
watched the video as well and was equally impressed. You will probably
hear from Walter as well. We only want to know when you will come back
so we can get more players out to benefit from your teaching method. I
would really like to get with my Flames organization to work on having
you come out for another go around. We have a number of teams who could
fill some clinics with appropriate coordination. And those of us who
have seen the results will definitely spread the word.
"Thanks again for a wonderful weekend of hoops. I will have to let you
know how our clinic goes in a few weeks."
-- J. Grant, Maryland Flames Girls AAU Basketball
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"HI DEAR TOM, I WAS LOOKING ON THE INTERNET FOR SOME DRILLS TO HELP ME
WITH MY SHOOTING WHEN I STUMBLED ON YOUR COACHING PHILOSOPHY ON
SHOOTING.
"I MUST SAY IT IS INDEED VERY ARTISTIC, NATURAL, FREE, EASILY EXPRESSED
THEREFORE EASILY REPEATED, AND MORE EFFECTIVE THAN THE CONVENTIONAL
METHOD. THE THING ABOUT THE CONVENTIONAL METHOD IS THAT ONE IS TOO BUSY
CONCERNED OR THINKING ABOUT HOW TO PLACE THE FEET, HOW TO SQUARE UP,
THUS THEY MISS THE ART OF FREEDOM OF SELF EXPRESSION.
"I WANT TO SAY I THANK YOU FOR THIS VALUABLE WORDS OF WISDOM, THEY
REALLY HELP ME SEE MORE CLEARLY THE TRUTH ABOUT THE ART OF SHOOTING."
YOURS IN THIS BLESSED GAME
-- I. ELUGBE, ARKANSAS
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"Tom, I just wanted to let you know of another success story with your
shooting method. I am a 54 year old Dad who played high school
basketball, 1 year of college and still play fairly competitively. At
6'3", I have always been a relatively good shooter. Also, I have
coached kids off and on for about 15 of the last 30 years. Always, it
frustrated me that I couldn't get them to shoot as well as they should.
"2 years ago or so, I bought your Swish video. My older son was already
in college, and not really playing competitive ball anymore. My
youngest was then 11, and pretty tall for his age. He had very little
interest in the video.
"In 6th grade, the youngest played on a middle school team and was one
of the taller players. His shot was terribly inconsistent until he got
frustrated and watched your video. (We had another one he looked at,
too, I must confess, but it taught very similar concepts.) Over about a
two week period, he completely changed his shot form from an
inconsistent, almost 2 handed thing of ugliness to a beautiful,
consistent, repeatable 1 handed release that looks perfect.
"He is going into the 8th grade this next year and is 6'2", around 150
pounds. Over the summer, he has probably consistently worked on his
shot about 3 or 4 days a week and it just amazes me when I see it. In
practice, at least, he can frequently make 9 or 10 free throws in a row
and he is almost automatic on his 10-15 foot jump shot. Even his 3
pointers, which I don't like for young kids, is accurate now. It all
comes from his lower body, and a 3 pointer is absolutely no strain for
him.
"Your most recent newsletter pointed out something my son has started
doing, to his great benefit. Kids all want to walk out to the 3 point
line and start cranking shots up. Because of your video, I start
warming up right under the basket and work my way out. My son Spencer
has started doing this, without any urging from me, and he now
frequently takes 30 or so shots from right under the basket out to
about 15 feet before he really starts.
"Starting in close and achieving that high, repeatable release have
been the two things that have really worked for him!
"This year will be interesting! Spencer plays football too and doesn't
burn with desire to excel in any sport, but he likes both football and
basketball. He hasn't wanted to play travel basketball and I haven't
tried to push it. This year, he will be the tallest kid on his school
team, the best rebounder and probably, at worst, the second best
shooter, but 2 or 3 of the other kids play basketball year round and
have a lot more experience. It will be interesting to see if his
shooting skill translates into playing better in games!
"Thanks for all your good help -- I wish I had understood this better
when I was a kid!"
-- J. Bryan, Tequesta, FL
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"Tom, I found your web-site while doing a search for basketball
coaching videos. After purchasing and receiving your video, I watched
it, took notes, and started to try the techniques. After getting a
handle on things, I convinced my son, an eighth grader at the time, to
give it a try. He was a very poor shooter. After just a couple
sessions, he was making BIG improvements. Soon he was "self-correcting"
and making consistent shots during our practices. His confidence in
games went through the roof and with that his playing time. In one
game, he was the high scorer. (The team's lead scorer was gone that
game, but hey!) With his early improvements so obvious to his team's
head coach, I had asked if I could show the video to the team and work
with the boys on their shooting.
"Now, I should mention most of these boys had poor form over the past
four years. They relied on passing to a great shooter, and never
developed their own shooting skills. After getting approval to start
working with some of the boys, during practice, one of them said to me
"Mr. Richards, it doesn't matter." That's how low this kid was on
shooting. Another kid cared even less. That's because they never were
taught how to shoot. An they were never taught how to shoot, I believe,
because no one had a copy of your video.
"Well, during one practice, when I had two of the boys for 15 minutes,
one said the "Mr. Richards, it doesn't matter" line again. Under the
threat of running laps with their arms raised up, they realized it did
matter!!! The poorest shooter on the team, one of these boys had never
made a shot in four years. We worked and worked, and in practice he was
consistent out about 8 feet.
"The season was coming to a close, and we were supposed to play in one
final tournament. A notoriously hard tournament at that. The head coach
was reluctant to sign-up for it, but with a little encouragement, he
went ahead and did it. I don't blame him for being reluctant. These
boys never advanced in a tournament over four years, why have one more
disappointment?
"Well, this team of only eight boys lost the first game to a team of at
least sixteen that ran them down something fierce. But we did go on to
the consolation bracket. While leading during the last game of the
bracket, our boy who had never made a single shot sunk a jumper with
"video-perfect" form. The place went nuts, and after the buzzer, we
were able to take pictures with the boys holding a trophy for the first
time ever!
"There were a lot of factors that turned this team around. Simpler
plays, harder practices, higher expectations all played a roll. But I
really do believe your video made the biggest difference.
"You know how they say you're not supposed to dwell on the past, but
look forward to the future? Well, I can't help but wonder how much
better my son and his teammates would have been had we used your video
from the start. I hope more people get their hands on your video and
embrace the techniques. It's so easy, and natural, that it feels like
cheating!!!
"Best Regards and Thanks Again."
-- Joe Richards
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