About Swish 22: A Legacy Continued

The Mission: Restoring the Lost Art of Shooting

At Swish 22, we believe that great shooters are not just born—they are built through understanding, simplicity, and the correct mechanics. Our mission is to demystify the basketball shot, moving away from rigid, over-coached techniques and returning to the natural, repeatable motion that allows players of all ages to achieve the perfect "Swish."

The Founder: Tom Nordland (1939–2022)

Tom Nordland was a true student of the game and a pioneer in shooting mechanics. A Minnesota basketball legend, Tom led Minneapolis Roosevelt to back-to-back State Championships in the 1950s before playing at Stanford University.

Decades later, while working at Apple Computer, Tom rediscovered the "pure" form of his youth. He spent the next 30 years dissecting the physics and biomechanics of the shot, codifying his findings into the Swish Method. His video series—Swish, Swish 2, and Swish 3—became the gold standard for shooting instruction, influencing thousands of players from beginners to NBA professionals.

The Next Chapter: Passing the Torch

Following Tom’s passing, the future of Swish 22 needed a steward—someone who didn't just understand the method, but had proven it works on the court and on the sidelines.

Adam Taylor, a former NCAA and NAIA Head Coach, was the natural choice. Adam has been a practitioner of the Swish Method since his own college playing days. The results spoke for themselves: utilizing Tom's mechanics, Adam was an elite shooter, boasting career statistics of 90%+ from the free-throw line and 49% from the 3-point line.

Adam continued to use the method throughout his coaching career, implementing it in his collegiate programs and exclusively using it in his camps and clinics since 1993.

A Natural Transition

Concerned about the preservation of Tom's work, Adam reached out to Tom’s wife, Jeanne Nordland. With the respect and politeness of his Southern upbringing, Adam asked "Miss Jeanne" if she had considered how Tom's creation would be carried on, offering to continue the work through his own organization, Adam Taylor Basketball.

Jeanne’s response confirmed it was the right move: she had already been thinking of Adam for this exact role. It was a moment of perfect alignment—a longtime student and teacher of the method stepping up to ensure the legacy continues.

Swish 22 Today

Under Adam Taylor's leadership, Swish 22 continues to expand. The method is now being passed down to a new generation—including Adam’s own 13-year-old son, Liam, who utilizes the system daily.

Swish 22 travels to public and private schools, youth clubs, organizations, and camps, offering world-class instruction. While renowned for shooting, we now offer comprehensive player and team skills coaching.

Meet Coach Adam Taylor

Adam brings a wealth of elite certification and experience to Swish 22, blending Tom Nordland's pure shooting mechanics with modern skill enhancement techniques.

Credentials & Certifications:

• Former NCAA & NAIA Head Coach

• College Career Stats: 90%+ FT, 49% 3PT

• Impact Basketball Certified Coach

• I'm Possible Skill Enhancement Coach & TDSE Coach

• FIBA 3x3 Certified Coach

• John Wooden Way Certified Coach

Ready to Find Your Shot?

Whether you are a school team needing a shooting tune-up, a club organization, or a parent wanting the best for your child, Swish 22 is here to help.

[Contact Us to Book a Clinic or Camp]

The Man, The Method, The Legacy

Who Was Tom Nordland?

Tom Nordland (1939–2022) was a visionary coach, a dedicated student of the game, and the creator of the revolutionary Swish Method.

His basketball journey began in Minnesota, where he established himself as a legend in state history. A high school phenom, Tom led Minneapolis Roosevelt to back-to-back State Championships in 1956 and 1957. Renowned for his deadly accuracy, he earned All-State and Scholastic All-American honors before continuing his playing career at Stanford University.

But his greatest contribution to the game didn't happen during his playing years—it began decades later.

The Rediscovery of the "Lost Art"

In 1989, Tom was working a corporate job at Apple Computer in California. After years away from the court, he joined a lunchtime basketball game. To his surprise, his shot was still there. He was draining baskets with the same "pure" form he had in high school.

He realized that his body remembered what his mind had forgotten. This sparked a revelation: the complex, rigid advice given to modern players—"elbow in," "square up," "snap the wrist"—was often counter-productive. It created tension where there should be flow.

Tom spent the next 30 years obsessed with one question: What makes a shot effortless?

He dissected the physics, biomechanics, and mental approach of the world's best shooters. He realized that shooting is an art, not just a mechanical process. He codified these findings into the Swish Method, releasing the now-classic video series Swish, Swish 2, and Swish 3.

What is the Swish Method?

The Swish Method is built on the belief that the body naturally knows how to shoot if we stop interfering with it. It is about removing variables, not adding them.

The Core Philosophy:

• Trust the Arc: A high arc opens up the rim. Tom taught players to let gravity do the work.

• The "Push and Flop": A relaxed release that eliminates wrist tension, creating a soft, consistent touch.

• Energy Transfer: Shooting is about flow—transferring energy from the legs through the fingertips without "hitching" or stopping.

• Automaticity: Training the shot to be a subconscious reaction, allowing players to perform under pressure without overthinking.

A Lasting Impact

Tom’s method didn't just change jump shots; it changed careers. From youth players struggling to hit the rim to NBA and WNBA professionals looking to regain their rhythm, thousands turned to Tom’s videos and clinics.

Although Tom passed away in 2022, his philosophy remains the gold standard for pure shooting instruction. He proved that you don't have to be the biggest or strongest player on the court to be the most dangerous—you just have to know how to Swish.

"Stop hoping the ball goes in. Start knowing it will." — Tom Nordland