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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 Swish International, Inc. Issue Number 115 -- July 2009 Tel: 888/SWISH-22 (888/794-7422) or 831/338-4647 Email: Tom@swish22.com -----------------------------------------------------------------
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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 “Personal” Release Distance! 4. An Interesting Description of How To Attain Excellence in Anything! 5. More Testimonials 6. KIDS' KORNER 7. Shooting Clinics & Camps 8. Get the Swish Videos 9. Please Bookmark this Website 10. How to Subscribe / Unsubscribe 11. 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. -- Tom Nordland
------------------------------------------------------------ 3. The “Personal” Release Distance! ------------------------------------------------------------
The “Swish” way of shooting relies on a few master principles. One is to shoot from the big muscles of the legs and middle body (we’ve given it a name, the UpForceTM). Another is to “Set” the ball in such a way that on-line “Inertia” is generated (and caught) in the shooting, and another is that the Release action needs to be the same every time, same speed and same force. The arch or trajectory can change to accommodate different distances, which is the fourth key principle, but the power and speed of the Release stay the same.
Now let’s just focus on the third one above, learning the constant Release. I’ll speak to coaches here, but as an individual, do the same exercises, thus “coaching yourself.”
When you have a Release that is always the same force/distance, you rule out a lot of possible variables and the shot becomes instantly more predictable, more repeatable. Learning that part of the stroke, the Release, is key, and the main way to do that is to go to a basket and find out how far just your Release motion sends the ball, not counting leg power. Then position yourself at that distance (it’s a semi-circle around the basket), use minimal or zero leg action, and fire away. Once your Release is repeatable and you find your distance, shooting becomes easier. Your practice will then take you higher and higher as a shooter. It can’t fail.
LEARNING HOW TO SHOOT -- THAT ONE DISTANCE! I’ve come to see a better way to describe that ONE DISTANCE that works for you to develop and perfect your Release. Instead of “Pure” Release Distance, as I’ve been calling it for many years, I now call it the “Personal” Release Distance. This make more sense because everyone’s different and so has, potentially, a different distance.
The exercise to “find” your personal distance is one of the keys to great shooting. Once you find it, then swishes become more and more possible and easy. It’s also a source of great joy to see your body perform a motion so well over and over and over.
(NOT FORM SHOOTING!!! Note this is not “Form Shooting,” which, to me, tends mostly to train people in having a tight wrist and hand (by “wrist flipping”), which you have to do to shoot a shot with one hand. By teaching the use of only one hand, the wrist has to cock back at 90 degrees or more from vertical (else the ball falls off the hand), thus requiring at least some wrist flipping.)
When your wrist and hand become relaxed, used simply to cradle the ball and keep it on line and then “Let Go,” repeatability manifests and shooting becomes a lot easier.
The first step is to find that special, personal distance. The Release becomes an action ... "to the end of the arm," no further, no shorter! The key is to "DO" the Release and then adjust the distance, instead of going to a particular distance and then adjusting the Release or the leg action to fit it. This way is much more Universal -- One Release Fits All! The idea, again, is that once you get a constant, automatic and trusted Release, then by adding leg power and adjusting height you can shoot effectively from anywhere in your range.
As a coach, Invite a demonstrator* (let's assume it's a girl) to do it. Help her find her personal distance. It'll be a semicircle, from any spot of which she can fire off her Release and the ball will fly high and true, over and over. Use a little leg power at first or a rocking motion to establish a little rhythm or tempo and fire off the Release. Whatever is the motion, keep it the same every time. If you’ve done the Release properly (constant Release action, same high angle) and it lands short of dead center, then move forward. If it’s long, then back up. There will be just ONE distance that works. (It’s not too difficult to freeze the body while doing this, but it seems to be awkward for a lot of kids, so allow a little leg/body action at first, but then ask the player to make it less and less until it’s minimal.”
(* Note coaches, do this exercise yourself, too, so you know from experience what you’re coaching. It adds a whole different level of authenticity to what you say.)
With trial and error, the volunteer will find the distance from which dead center is easy and automatic. Then just keep reinforcing the Release for a few shots. This is the master exercise, where you learn and groove (and eventually start to master) your constant, automatic Release action. You can even close your eyes and send it dead center, Swish! Then have her move back and add distance and leg power while keeping the same Release, simply varying arch to control the distance.
Then have the whole team/group do the same exercise in pairs. Interesting results will start to happen all over the place as the players start to “get” this way of shooting. What’s especially neat is that, once you start to get it, you’ll see that this “constant Release” thing is how the few great shooters have always been shooting!
------------------------------------------------------------ 4. An Interesting Description of How To Attain Excellence in Anything! ------------------------------------------------------------
(Reprint from April, 2004 Newsletter)
A VOCAL COACH FROM L.A. TALKS THE SAME LANGUAGE
I'm interested in learning, and what are the things that help or inhibit it. Last weekend I was listening to a course on tape I have from a wonderful speech coach named Arthur Joseph. His program is called "Vocal Awareness," and he talks about his passion -- speech and vocal expression -- much as I do about shooting. Arthur’s list of clients is as long as your arm: Sean Connery, Beverly Sills, Arnold Schwartzenegger, Angela Jolie, Mike Butkus, etc. etc.
There are a lot of parallels with respect to relaxation, intention, concentration, trusting yourself, free expression, etc.
His description of a progression to Power, meaning Vocal Power in this case, says it very well: "Power comes from Freedom, and Freedom comes from Letting Go, and Letting Go comes from Knowledge."
SHOOTING EXCELLENCE, SHOOTING MASTERY
If we change the words slightly, I feel it's equally applicable to shooting: "Excellence in Shooting comes from Freedom, and Freedom comes from Letting Go, and Letting Go comes from Knowledge." We can also substitute "Awareness" for Knowledge in this case, as Knowledge can be both intellectual/conceptual AND physical, but Awareness is mainly physical.
THE SWISH METHOD PROVIDES THE KNOWLEDGE
In my Swish video and when I coach a shooting clinic, I give players the Knowledge of how to shoot that allows them to start "Letting Go" in their shooting. It's Letting Go of doubt, fear, of lack of trust, of worry about the result, of thinking who might be watching, etc. and letting the body start to shoot more naturally, more on its own, with less interference. Awareness and feedback then give the body knowledge of results and more and more learning happens. When you know what causes the ball to go left and right, then "straight" becomes possible, not just by accident, but by design, by intention!
KNOWLEDGE LEADS TO TRUST AND LETTING GO
When you "know" what you're doing, you instantly have more trust in yourself. The trust leads to Letting Go which brings you closer and closer to your potential. And you will start to exhibit "fearlessness." The Swish Method is a simple method that supplies that sense of knowing.
Letting Go leads to Freedom, freedom from tension and worry and trying hard to shoot "right." To perform at your best, you need to be relaxed and present. Definitely Letting Go will give you that. One of my mentors, Tim Gallwey, of "The Inner Game of Tennis" fame, called this state "Relaxed Concentration." Freedom is like that. When you're free, you're much more apt to be focused and "in the moment" with your shot and open to discoveries and learning.
FINALLY, TO SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE AND, POTENTIALLY, MASTERY
Finally, Freedom leads to power, excellence, mastery, if you will. When the body-brain-nervous system is left to its own devices, it can do incredible things. It's fear and doubt that mess things up. The mastery of a shooting method is easy stuff for the amazing thing we call a human body. Making shots over and over with little variation into a big basket is easily achieved by a fully aware and free body.
THANKS FOR THE UNDERSTANDING, ARTHUR!
It all starts, in Joseph's words, with Knowledge. That makes sense. Knowing what works and what doesn't work, both intellectually and physically, helps you get right to the heart of the matter.
------------------------------------------------------------ 5. More Testimonials ------------------------------------------------------------
“Hi Tom, I've just ordered a set of both of your DVD's for two reasons.
“First, because it is priced right.
“Second, because of the way it is presented.
“As a coach and father of players, I've looked at several "improve your game" sites. They are so full of hype-hype-hype it is virtually impossible to tell what they are really selling--and it seems clear that that is actually their intent. I can't tell if they're selling a training program, or amazing shoes, or a magic ball, or flubber, or a self-hypnosis system. Their writers are truly amazing in that they can say the same thing over and over again without repeating themselves and without giving away their "amazing, secret, never-before-seen-by-human-eyes" programs. In fact, they don't really give any useful information at all. They seem to be trying to talk their site visitors into a frenzied state of mind in which they'd buy anything at all, for any price at all. (One guy is offering a vertical leap system that he says after midnight tonight will be priced at nearly $2 Grand! It's about $300 as it is and the buyer has absolutely no idea what it contains.)
“Your site alone, on the other hand, has already allowed my son to improve his shooting in just a few practice sessions. I mostly appreciate the real information in the clearly written text, and the samples of the videos that provide so much useful information about exactly what you are offering.
“No hype. Real information. Informative content. That is truly refreshing. Thank you. I will recommend your system to anyone I see who is interested in improving their shooting. Thanks.”
-- Brent P., Edmonton, Alberta ---------------------------------------
“Hello Tom: I have enjoyed your video.
“When you mentioned NOT to put your elbow directly under the ball (and then you demonstrated how awkward it is to align your hand if you try to) when shooting I had an epiphany. That is why I rarely had back spin when I shot. The ball often had side spin.
“My left to right aim is a lot better now because of the changes I have made. The good news is that the rebound (if I miss) tends to come right back at me making it easier in a game to get my own rebound.
“I am still having a little trouble judging distance accurately however, with more practice that will come.
“Thanks for producing this video. My only wish is that I had it 25 years ago. Too soon old, too late wise.
“Thanks again.”
-- Dr. John Clark, Newcastle, Ontario, Canada -------------- Follow up from John C., above:
“Feel free to use my testimonial with my full name if you wish (Dr. John Clark - chiropractor).
“I scored a three pointer last night. It was effortless. Before watching your video shooting took effort. I felt like I was always heaving or throwing the ball. When I do it right now it is like the ball flies out of my hand effortlessly. I guess that is the upforce that you talk about. I used to always shoot at the top of my jump. Then I would have to "jerk" the ball with my smaller wrist muscles at the last split second to make up for the loss of inertia. The results were disastrous when I did that.
“Thanks for everything.”
-- Dr. John Clark ---------------------------------------
“Hello Tom, The latest in using the Swish technique is all good news. I’ve been playing in the same competition for 5 years and last season for the first time I took out the “Fairest and Best” player for the competition. The only reason was because of my shooting, again, thanks to the “Swish” method.
“Our team also won the competition for the first time in at least a couple of years.
“One thing I have definitely noticed this season is that the better teams are really starting to overplay me and it’s much more difficult to get as many open looks. As I’ve said always, this isn’t some natural shooting ability I have. Far from it, a total testament to the “Swish” method.
“So I’m thrilled that my teammate is keen to learn the “Swish” method as well.
“Ironically, when I have a bad shooting night like I did tonight, I know exactly why and it just doesn’t bother me.
“I’ve got some Achilles tendonitis at the moment and I just couldn’t generate anywhere near the amount of Upforce that I normally do. Therefore, my shots were flatter and I was making up for the loss of Upforce with extra momentum in the release. Well, that led to a poor shooting percentage but I recognized it and didn’t take as many shots as I normally would.
“i.e. I have a very good understanding of what works and what doesn’t in regards to shooting a basketball thanks to yourself.
“I am always keen to share the “Swish” method but like you, the reluctance for anybody to change their shot astounds me. I just don’t get it.
“However, a few months ago, I did help a basketball player I play socially with from now and again and he pretty much had the Swish technique except he needed to relax the hand which was killing his percentage. I spent 20 minutes with him and saw him later, he corrected the problem and is shooting so much better.
“He’s currently playing in the State League here and has got real potential so it’ll be interesting to see how far he can go.
“Boy is he quick and can get an open shot anytime he wants off his own dribble if he wants. A luxury I don’t have – LOL. That skill, combined with the “Swish” method, just deadly.
“Kindest regards!”
-- Travis M., Wembly, WA Australia ---------------------------------------
Comment via YouTube by the handle, “jpand1mg.” (Feb. ‘09)
“Got swish 1 in 04. Shot has never been the same. Watched the dvd about 9 times before actually practicing the stuff. Came out of the gym that day being called the jump shot master. Earned several other nicknames as well in the future, like instant offense. And people saying he never misses. What I was taught before was garbage. I love swish 2 as well.”
2nd comment from “jpand1mg:”
“I played ball from 7 to 12th grade always was an athlete, but was taught a flawed technique that takes tremendous practice and hours to get so called good at. I remember struggling to hit 5 free throws in a row after practices my senior year. Now I would laugh in my coaches face if he told me I had to hit 5 without missing before I left.”
3rd comment from “jpand1mg:”
“Swish is just what it says it is. Learning to control the flight of the ball. And some of you don't want to put the time in to learn. Learn and take notes. Getting better takes practice. I took 2 months off without playing ball and went to the gym and hit 45 out of 50 free throws after warming up. So easy to win in horse by shooting free throws with eyes closed or hitting long range 3's consistently once you have mastered or slightly mastered this technique.”
4th comment from “jpand1mg:”
“And yes I have seen a lot of the videos out there. They don't really compare to me. I taught this method to my neighbor an 8th grader, who can beat the best person on the 8th grade boys team who averages about 18 to 20 points a game easily in a game of 21 every time, and the guy doesn't even play on the team. How do I know? They both live in my neighborhood.”
------------------------------------------------------------ 6. KIDS' KORNER ------------------------------------------------------------
(Reprint from an article I wrote for the BizyMoms website, April 2009. Kids, read this as though I’m writing it to both you and your parents, suggesting a way you can approach the game of basketball as a “Life-learning” activity.)
THE WAY OF THE GREAT BASKETBALL SHOOTERS!
You, as a Busy Mom (or Dad), might be wondering who is this guy (me, Tom Nordland), this supposed “shooting expert,” who wants my child to take up basketball with his ideas. And what’s he proposing? Is it good stuff? Is it worth my time and that of my child(ren)?
MY BACKGROUND QUALIFIES ME I have an interesting background, if you want to get into it, and it’s all described on my website, http://www.swish22.com. Read the “Background” in the “Swish Story” section, and you’ll know all you need or want to know about where I’m coming from.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS WHAT I’M TEACHING But, most important, is what I’m teaching. If your child loves basketball, what I have to offer is great stuff. It’s what the best shooters have always been doing, but somehow the game of basketball got off track in regards to shooting (and a lot of other fundamentals of the game), and the result is poor shooting at all levels.
PARTLY THE COACHES’ FAULT The main point I want to get across is that shooting is very poorly understood and learned/coached in the game today. It’s obvious at all levels. But why? What’s going on?
There’s enough finger pointing to go around as to why we’re in the pickle we’re in. Part of it is lack of gym time for kids to be kids and just play around and experiment. And too many games at too young an age (too much “organized” competition). Part of it is the obsession with the 3-Pt shot and the dunk (for boys). Part of it is probably the shortened attention spans of kids these days.
But one of the reasons has to be the coaching, because I can see that most coaches teach stuff that doesn’t work, never has worked, never will. I see a bunch of “myths” of shooting that are being taught to kids, things like “squaring up,” and “flipping your wrist.” Another beauty is “having the elbow directly under the ball.”
As I see it, the best shooters don’t do any of the 5-6 myths that I’ve been pointing out for years. But somehow the Shooting Establishment (coaches, TV commentators, parents, kids themselves) are locked into rules that actually sabotage great shooting.
IF YOU BELIEVE ME... If you believe I might be right or could be, then check me out. My two Swish videos are terrific, highly rated. They would be the best route to take if you’re even a little convinced. They’re sold with a 90-day unconditional Money Back Guarantee. You can also read all about my ideas on my website, and you can watch video clips that give a sample of what’s going on.
------------------------------------------------------------ 7. Shooting Clinics & Camps ------------------------------------------------------------
PARTNERSHIPS WITH BASKETBALL CENTERS?
I’m interested in establishing relationships with basketball centers that have multiple courts and large databases of players and coaches. We can run joint shooting clinics and camps and share the revenue. You provide the court(s) and the players and I’ll provide the coaching and training of coaches. Your membership and people on your general databases will love to get coaching in the game’s most important skill: shooting! We could do clinics throughout the year.
Northern California is my best option, but I’ll consider other venues as well. 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.
THREE GENERAL OPTIONS AVAILABLE I’m now offering a choice (mix and match) of three clinic/camp formats:
FOUR-HOUR HALF-DAY CLINICS: This is the “Signature” format as it gives me ample time to lead a slow, awareness-filled experience in learning. By the end, participants know fairly deeply what and how to practice and how to coach themselves. That’s the only way this coaching is really going to stick! These clinics are 4 hours long, and I can do one or two per day.
THREE-HOUR FREE THROW CLINICS This format is similar to the 4-day clinics, but serves more as an introduction to self-coaching. Its main focus is applying Swish principles to the Free Throw, including my latest discoveries about this simple, can-be-frustrating shot. The “Swish Free Throw” makes this shot easy, a sure thing! I can do 2-3 of these clinics per day, or mix them in with the other formats.
TWO-DAY CAMPS: (The Preferred experience!) These are 7 hour, two-day experiences, with a suggested 3 1/2 hours the first day and 3 1/2 hours the second (other formats are also possible). The two-day experience gives the students an evening in between to watch the Swish DVDs, practice what they are learning, and develop questions to ask. The second day becomes magical as the kids get more deeply what’s possible and learn additional ways to practice it and play with it. I can do two of these Camp formats in a two-day period, with both a morning session and an afternoon session.
THIS FALL
Vancouver, B.C., the weekend of Oct. 23-25 I am open for a couple clinics around Vancouver & Victoria. Call me: 888/794-7422 Seattle, Sat., and Sun., Nov. 7th and 8th Could do more clinics in area that weekend. Call me. Other locations are being considered
(See the “Clinics” page for the latest details and Guidelines --http://www.swish22.com/clinics).
------------------------------------------------------------ 8. Get the Swish Videos ------------------------------------------------------------
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 Coach Bill Dale put it in a former Newsletter. 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.” (Note I’m working on “Swish 3,” to be on the elusive Free Throw.)
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." http://www.swish22.com/assets/ttucker.html)
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. 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 20-25 years.
For more information and to order the videos:
------------------------------------------------------------ 9. 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!
------------------------------------------------------------ 10. How to Subscribe / Unsubscribe ------------------------------------------------------------
To SUBSCRIBE to this Newsletter, click on the link below.
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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.
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------------------------------------------------------------ 11. Contact Information ------------------------------------------------------------ Tom Nordland, Swish International, Inc. 325 Crows Nest Drive Boulder Creek, CA 95006 Website: http://www.swish22.com ------------------------------------------------------------ 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 2009 Swish International, Inc. All Rights Reserved ------------------------------------------------------------
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