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----------------------------------------------------------------- T H E “S W I S H R E L E A S E” N E W S L E T T E R A Quarterly Conversation FOR Great Shooting! ----------------------------------------------------------------- By Tom Nordland, Shooting Coach Issue Number 117 -- January 2010 Tel: 888/SWISH-22 (888/794-7422) ----------------------------------------------------------------- ATTENTION: You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to it. If you'd like to remove yourself from this mailing list, please see the instructions at the end of this newsletter. Our subscriber list is NOT made available to other companies or individuals. We value every subscriber and respect your privacy. PLEASE excuse the advertisement paragraph you'll see at the top of this Newsletter. Because I have a “free” service with the Mail List company (Topica), they insert that ad to help them pay for the service. Sorry for the little commercialism. ============================================ IN THIS ISSUE ============================================ 1. Welcome from the Coach 2. Purpose of this Newsletter 3. The “Pre-Shot” Routine -- Do We Need One? 4. Coaches: Have “Designated Shooter” Sessions in Practice! 5. BOYS TO MEN 6. More Testimonials 7. KIDS' KORNER 8. Shooting Clinics & Camps 9. Get the Swish Videos 10. Please Bookmark this Website 11. How to Subscribe / Unsubscribe 12. Contact Information ------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Welcome from the Coach ------------------------------------------------------------ Welcome to my “Swish Release” Basketball Shooting Newsletter. Each issue I write about the skill of shooting in the game today and how it can be more effectively learned and coached. If you like what I'm saying, please tell others about it and suggest they subscribe, too. Remember: Great Shooting CAN be taught! ------------------------------------------------------------ 2. Purpose of this Newsletter ------------------------------------------------------------ This newsletter is a vehicle for communicating what I know about shooting and for a conversation on how shooting can be improved. With your help, I intend to shift the game and help players and coaches everywhere re-discover the Lost Art of Shooting. Thank you for reading this and subscribing to it and sharing it with your friends. ------------------------------------------------------------ 3 . The “Pre-Shot” Routine -- Do We Need One? ------------------------------------------------------------ I’m working on my third video, Swish 3, and it’s going to be on Free Throws. In the research and script writing for it, I had to address the idea of a “Pre-Shot Routine.” So I came up with this short summary of my thinking. Maybe it will help you do your own Free Throws and/or coach others. The idea is to keep it simple and focused on where you are and what you need to do, AND to find your own answers to these suggestions. The key is that YOU feel comfortable, focused and ready, not to adopt a routine someone else gave you. And less is surely better than more.
SUGGESTIONS FOR FREE THROW SHOOTING: • Center yourself in the present moment (feel, see, hear what’s happening). • Center yourself on the Line so backboard action is most advantageous. • Relax as best you can (take a deep breath or two, feel yourself breathe, let go of worries, doubts, fears as best you can, take a dribble or two to get loose and remind yourself you are prepared for this moment.) • Focus strongly and completely on the target, your intended outcome. • Trust your process and GO! No need to wait and get into thoughts about "What if?," "Who's watching?," "I could fail," etc. • Trust your incredible body to do your trained motion. • Let it Fly!!! No time for doubt or fear! You've got a job to do and you're totally capable! • Observe with detachment. Yes or No. In or Out. One of those outcomes! No more, no less. Learn from what happened so you can self correct, if needed, for the next time. The point is you are trained for some level of Free Throw shooting. When you are on the line, it’s too late for new ideas. You need to perform the best you know how and that happens in the present moment. Try following the steps above. They’ll help you perform closer and closer to your potential. Your feedback will help me reshape this thinking as I create Swish 3. ------------------------------------------------------------ 4. Coaches: Have “Designated Shooter” Sessions in Practice! ------------------------------------------------------------ Helping the psychology of your lesser shooters (Reprint from Oct. ‘05) (Editor’s note: I was reminded of this Newsletter entry at a recent game when a team I’ve been working with was way ahead in the second half. Those final XX minutes could have been used to help the shooting confidence of the players who don’t get to take that many shots. Here’s how it could have happened.) One way to develop CONFIDENCE in your players shooting abilities would be to give time for each of them to be the “Go-to” guy/gal for a minute or two in practice from time to time. I know from my own experience that confidence can come and go pretty quickly. Actually it’s more like, it comes SLOWLY but can go VERY QUICKLY. (It isn’t fair!) Your star players develop a lot of confidence and, by playing them, you acknowledge and strengthen that confidence and win more games. But your other starters and most of the substitutes might have a very big issue with confidence. And the less they play, it’s probable they will have even less confidence. I’m reminded of this by a woman who ordered the Swish video today to try to help her son regain some of his confidence. She said he was a big part of the offense last year as a sophomore and had good confidence. But this year he’s getting fewer minutes and when he does get to play, the pressure to perform well is high and he doesn’t always play as well as he can, and he’s lost much of his confidence. One way back, she felt, would be to learn to shoot better and hope that will get the attention of the coach. Working on technique is part of the equation for this boy and anyone who wishes to improve a skill. Developing confidence and concentration is another major area. Here is a suggestion of how to work on confidence of an entire team: DESIGNATED SHOOTER -- DEVELOPING CONFIDENCE The defense is told to lighten up to let this player shoot. Don’t overplay it. Also don’t just collapse back. It’s okay to “sort of “play defense so it’s close to reality, but then let the player have the shot. You might mix it up a little and allow the teammates of the “Shooter” to shoot occasionally to confuse the defense, but generally set the offense to get this one “special” player open. GREEN LIGHT -- ANY WAY S/HE WANTS TO SHOOT IT’S OKAY TO MISS ALL THE SHOTS! WITH FREEDOM TO FAIL WILL COME FREEDOM TO EXCEL HOW THE EXERCISE IS SET UP IS IMPORTANT If a player’s technique is a problem, then suggest what can be done to improve it in the future. For now, just have some fun and don’t expect too much. That’s probably when the best performance will come out. If the technique is fine but the lack of confidence and fear of failure keep interfering, this exercise can have magical powers. A SET ROUTINE TO GET PLAYERS OPEN If you do this exercise, please give me some feedback about the results. I’ll publish them in a future Newsletter. ------------------------------------------------------------ 5. BOYS TO MEN ------------------------------------------------------------ Joe Ehrmann, Coach for America Subtitle: “Winning in Life is Everything!” Everybody, please, listen to this message about kids and coaches and the value of sports in our society’s and our nation’s health. I’ve mentioned Joe Ehrmann’s name and message before. His work is about the journey of boys to men and, with his wife’s work, girls to women, and how those critical missions can be helped. Joe makes the point that sports is like a second religion in our culture, and coaches are the “high priests” of that religion. We have a tremendous influence and responsibility to make the experience of sports meaningful and powerful. How a coach relates to a player can both make his/her day (and life), or ruin it. In this short audio file, Joe is talking to David Jacobson of the “Positive Coaching Alliance,” another remarkable organization I’ve told you about. http://www.positivecoach.org/uploads/mp3/Joe_Ehrmann.mp3 VISIT THE WEBSITE, AMAZING STUFF, AMAZING MISSION! http://www.buildingmenandwomen.org/ ------------------------------------------------------------ 6. More Testimonials ------------------------------------------------------------ After a clinic in Maryland in 2004: “What stuck with her the most were two things ... the leg force and the "dead hand flop". Prior to the clinic, she had always been a "better looking" shooter than most... But the results were not as good as they should have been. Always on line, but flat ... with many shots bouncing off the rim. “Since the clinic ... she has had a high, arching shot and is recognized as the best shooter on her team. Inbound pass plays are designed to get her an open shot. In a game late last year, with the team behind at the end ... her coach put her in telling her to shoot every chance she got and that "if you don't shoot, then I am taking you out" ... and he did take her out because she was passing more than what he had wanted (I don't think she had developed the shooters confidence and bravado by then). “She feels great about herself and truly feels that she has been taught ‘the secret.’ She sees the flaws in her teammates shots, and tries to help them. She sees and comments on their no legs, all arms, flat shots. “Thanks for staying engaged with us, Tom.” -- Paul R., Olney, Maryland --------------------------------------- “PUUUURRRRE genius! I think you're being humble by calling it a ‘method.’ The way I see it, Swish is just reality! That's why I'm so into it. My dad was just a little bit skeptical cuz of the way I talked about it on the phone, but after I showed him the video and then kicked his butt a few times in PIG with all outside jumpers, he's a believer too now. “My former roommate who had never really played basketball before watched it. Then I coached him on it while shooting around in front of my house, and he's knockin' em down all over. “I haven't had much time to play recently, but when I'm shooting around and practicing regularly, it seems like I'm darn near 90% from the field. Feels so good, man. On behalf of all the people I'm going to teach this to, and myself, I say thank you!!!” -- Jonathan G., Escondido, Calif. --------------------------------------- “Hi Tom: My son and I watched all or part of Swish 2 a couple of times over this past weekend. Fortunately, the weather here in Michigan (you never know in March) was nice enough that we could get outside and immediately work on what we learned. “I took your advice and had my son (12 years old) teach me the Swish 2 method which really reinforced the concepts for him. “The results were quite remarkable. He has always struggled with a flat shot (I probably had him shooting over his head at too young an age) resulting in a low shooting percentage. Reinforcing the basics (which were pretty solid) and then just concentrating on ball flight and Upforce had an immediate impact. His set and jump shots were so much smoother and most importantly he just couldn't miss. It really was quite amazing to watch. “While he still has a ways to go, practice is so much more fun now that he is making such a high percentage of his shots. “Also, the one thing that resonated with my son more than any other (and had the biggest impact on his shot) is keeping the ball in-line with the basket from beginning to end of the shot. We really worked on how he moved the ball from dribble or catch up into his set point. When he finally got it, his accuracy increased dramatically. “Thank you for your help.” Grant S., Rochester Hills, MI --------------------------------------- THREE COMMENTS FROM YOUTUBE VIEWERS: happykid1234 has made a comment on "Swish 1" Basketball Shooting Clips & Video: “This is the PROPER way to shoot, not flipping your wrist! What was key to me for getting this beautiful method was the release and how it has to be the same even on long range shots. Upforce is just what gets it there and this takes practice and observation to capture a lot of... “Anyone who doesn't get this method needs to go back to the pure release distance and truly be aware. Also, notice where the power is coming from, the lower body or wrist!” --------------------------------------- The Shooters Touch has made a comment on "Swish 2" Basketball Shooting Clips & Video: “I bought Swish 2 and I'm glad to say I'm happy that I bought your video Tom. “People want to be like Kobe, McGrady, Jordan and hang, shoot, etc like them. They fail to succeed with that kind of shooting form. Tom has simplified the shot so it becomes very easy and consistent. “Other things: No, you will not get your shot blocked AFTER you have mastered the release. And the kids are shooting in close to become more aware of their release.” --------------------------------------- The Shooters Touch has made a comment on "Swish 1" Basketball Shooting Clips & Video: “Many have tried so hard to find the solution to shooting like it's so difficult but it isn't. If you can simplify your shot so it is easy when you are learning your shot, your release will be effortless. Then, you can practice your new shot in game spots (off screens, pull-ups, spot shooting, etc). “Once you can progress through game spots with a simple release like Tom has taught, you will become the knockdown shooter you've always wanted to be. I know I have. It works. Thanks Tom. ------------------------------------------------------------ 7. KIDS' KORNER ------------------------------------------------------------ (NOTE: This is a reprint from Newsletter #64, Dec. 2004. It’s worth reviewing.) SEEKING “PERFECTION” IN THE RELEASE What I noticed the last couple of times is what I’ll call “Seeking Perfection.” By that I mean that my actions can sometimes be viewed as approaching perfection. When I drain several shots in a row, dead center, swish, it’s a little view of how amazing a body can perform. It’ll never be completely perfect, as perfection is a very special word. We could maybe say that “God is perfect,” but humans are “imperfect” (at least I am, by my experience). We can have moments of perfect execution or perfect expression, but we will forever interfere with that possibility due to our thoughts, our fears and doubts, our emotions, our programming ... our “humanness.” But we can “seek” it, can’t we? OBSERVE HOW YOU SHOOT From my experience, just with practice and observation of these things, your shot will actually start to improve and you’ll start to get more consistent. That’s because the human body is a terrific Learning Machine. We’re built for learning. Our brain, body and nervous system function as an amazing awareness-feedback system, if we’re awake and aware. If you see that the ball went to the right, the body will make a correction the next time. (Note this correction will occur only if sending the ball straight is something important to you, something you “care” about. If you don’t care, then the body will not be in a mode of correction and learning. It might just be having “fun” and playing.) As you observe your actions and the results, a natural learning is engaged. Even if you don’t know what technique you wish to change to (the Swish Method could be an example of that), the body will improvise and improve ... to a point. It’s fun, it’s exciting. Seeing your body perform anything well, from bowling strikes and getting base hits to serving an ace in tennis or even throwing a rolled up piece of paper into a waste basket, is enjoyable. I feel it feeds the ego, it makes us feel better about ourselves and our potential. If we can’t do things well and don’t get any better, then we can feel we’re not able, not talented, not this or that. So we play games to test ourselves and to grow. SHOOT FOR PERFECTION If you know of a great technique of shooting, then your learning and development will be even keener. It helps if you’re calm and a little detached. If you make a shot, don’t get so excited it throws off the next shot. If you miss badly, don’t get discouraged. GIVE PRECISE FEEDBACK YOU CAN TELL BY WATCHING WHERE IT HITS CAN YOU BE DETACHED? LET ME KNOW IF YOU DO THIS I’d love to hear what discoveries you make. Thanks. ------------------------------------------------------------ 8. Shooting Clinics & Camps ------------------------------------------------------------ A) IT’S TIME TO PLAN NOW! COACHES’ TRAININGS MOVING TO THE FORE It’s time now to start planning shooting clinics and camps in California and around the country for this coming off season. I can only do so many trips until I train coaches to do more and more for me. Having Coaches’ Trainings at some stops will be a big part of my commitment now when there’s interest. As part of a processs to train coaches, I’m working on an eBook on the Swish Process, how to learn and coach it. It should be available within a month or two. Swish 3, to be on Free Throws, has a rough release date of late summer and will give the Swish video collection a powerful boost with this simple but tricky shot. KIDS’ CLINICS The cost is reasonable, ~$50-60 per person for the 4-hour “Clinic,” a bit more for the 7-hour, 2-day “Camp.” If there are facilities costs or fund-raising needs, the price will need to be adjusted. The fees include one of the Swish videos, worth $30 alone, so it should not be difficult to find coaches and basketball organizations who can come up with numbers. We’ll work on a price that is fair and manageable for families under these tight economic circumstances. Scholarships will freely be given!!! B) PARTNERSHIPS WITH BASKETBALL CENTERS? Northern California is one option, but I’ll consider other venues as well, traveling there periodically to train coaches. My top coach-in-training, Ernest Johnson, lives in Washington, D.C., and so if you’re in that area, contact me and I’ll have Ernest contact you. Another of my coaches, Rex Harris, lives south of Indianapolis and can help organize things in that area. ------------------------------------------------------------ 9. New “Swish” Flyer / Get the Swish Videos ------------------------------------------------------------ See this color PDF that describes the “promise” of Swish. There really IS a big problem in the great game of basketball, and this new flyer of ours describes the challenge and the opportunity my coaching offers. Print it out (in color or not) and share it with your friends. If you’d like a quantity of them, let me know. We printed 2,000. http://www.swish22.com/assets/SwishFlyer.pdf Let me again encourage you to get the Swish videos, if you haven't already. Swish 2 may deserve the “Academy Award” of shooting videos, as one coach put it in a Newsletter awhile back. These videos are poised to help shift the way shooting is taught everywhere. They reveal a very simple approach to shooting that can be seen to be the way the greatest shooters have always shot. They teach kids how to learn and practice, and HOW TO COACH THEMSELVES! That's Huge! They also, especially Swish 2, teach how to coach others in shooting excellence! Get both Swish and Swish 2 with the discounted “package” price of $44.90 plus shipping (and tax if you're in Calif.). The original Swish is a “classic,” especially for younger players, well worth the price of $15 (half price, no extra shipping) it costs to get both. Swish 2, two-hours long, is my “masterpiece.” DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE 2) For most international markets, “PAL” format DVD’s: (Since we have excess inventory of PAL DVD’s, plus shipping is very high and often Customs fees are added, we’re offering these higher discounts: $10 off for one video; Use this code: ‘International$10’ (without quotes) $15 off for the Package of both DVD’s (Pkg #2): Use: “International$15’. As one coach put it, “The answer to the shooting woes is mechanical, not mysterious ... physical, not mental.” (Click here to see the whole quote "More Mechanical than Mysterious." If you're a coach and want to coach shooting, I've got some special coaching tools I'll send you when you purchase Swish 2. There are also lesson plans and coaching stuff on the “For Coaches” page: http://www.swish22.com/forcoaches.html. Sign up on the Coaches’ Email List there. I’ll be developing more materials soon to help you view the videos and teach the Swish Method. I want to inform and empower YOU to coach this skill most effectively. We all need to work at this to “right the ship,” as it's said. Shooting is at such a low ebb, we need something different from what's been coached the last 20-30 years. For more information and to order the videos: ------------------------------------------------------------ 10. Please Bookmark this Website ------------------------------------------------------------ I invite you to bookmark my Website (http://www.swish22.com) so you can go there easily to catch my latest comments on shooting. You can read about my videos there (including endorsements, testimonials, reviews and an overview of the videos), my coaching, and the many articles on shooting I've written. You can see video clips and archived back issues of this Newsletter and, of course, subscribe, if you're not already getting this on a regular basis. Please tell others about this newsletter, my site, and my videos. Forward the newsletter to them and suggest they read it and the many archived issues. Send them the URL and let them know there's a proven method for powerful shooting. This great game of ours deserves a Renaissance in shooting! ------------------------------------------------------------ 11. How to Subscribe / Unsubscribe ------------------------------------------------------------ To SUBSCRIBE to this Newsletter, click on the link below. ***Important: Please note that when you "subscribe," Topica, the company that manages the free list for me, will send you a "confirmation" email and offer you two ways to "confirm." I SUGGEST YOU USE THE SECOND OPTION! The first option is to click on a link to Topica where they will ask you open a free account with them. This is okay to do, as they have good free mailings lists, discussion groups, etc., but I think most of you just want to subscribe to the newsletter. You do that most easily by the second option, just REPLYING to the email. That's all you need to do, no need to key anything. Click on this email -- it will start the subscription process: mailto:Swish22-subscribe@topica.com?subject=subscribe. Remember to expect the Confirmation email. To UNSUBSCRIBE from this Newsletter, just send a blank email to the following: mailto: Swish22-unsubscribe@topica.com ------------------------------------------------------------ 12. Contact Information ------------------------------------------------------------ Tom Nordland, Swish International, Inc. ------------------------------------------------------------ Tel: 888/SWISH-22 (888/794-7422) or 831/338-4647 Email: mailto: Tom@swish22.com Originator of the Official Swish Method of Shooting! For a Basketball Shooting Renaissance! ------------------------------------------------------------ (c) Copyright 2010 Swish International, Inc. All Rights Reserved ------------------------------------------------------------ |
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