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How Great Shooters Get Open
By Coach Randy Brown

What do Reggie Miller, Steve Kerr, Tim Legler, and Jon Sundvold all have in common? Other than establishing reputations as flawless NBA marksmen, they all share another unique trait. This trait separates them from all others in the NBA and the all-time record book proves it. Each of them possess an uncanny knack of getting rid of defenders and getting open for jump shots. Each player ranks at the top of the three point percentage category, and prove that great shooters play their best basketball away from the ball.

A common mistake made by fans and coaches is the tendency to focus on the ball when watching a basketball game. A great majority of the action is away from the ball. Mathematically, 80% of the players on offense are without the ball. What they do away from the ball makes the next pass or ball reversal worth watching. Try watching away from the ball the next time you watch a game and you will be amazed at the results. The same is true for the art of getting free for open shots. Many people focus just on the shot itself. What they miss is all of the effort, strategy, and craftiness that comes before the shot becomes a reality. Reggie Miller is regarded as one of the best clutch shooters of all time. Even with the opponent knowing Reggie will take the final shot, he could still get open for the game winner. Reggie possessed the true mark of a player who knows how to use his head to get free. What secret does Reggie have that other players do not have? Keep reading and you'll find out.

The level and importance of game preparation these days is very high. Player tendencies and strengths of opponents are analyzed in great detail. With all of this information available, the game represents a setting for the best "players" to shine. Notice that I did not say the best athletes, the quickest, or most experienced players will shine. Big reputations and media hype are for underachievers once the lights come on. The player who "executes" and thinks during the game is the one who helps his team win. These players have the biggest "impact on winning" because they can take to the floor those things they have learned in film sessions and in practice. This added edge propels them from good to great.

Characteristics of great shooters before the shot:

1. Understand how teammates can get you open. With communication, non-verbal signals, and body language a players can use his teammates to get open. Plays that are run for shooters are set up in advance. Because your opponent also has prepared for this play, it takes great understanding of the game to get open to shoot. By understanding angles and using teammates for interference you can get open regardless of your defender's ability.

2. Change of Speeds. The easiest player to guard is the player who cuts at the same speed on every play. What looks like hard cutting and hard play is actually a player who cannot think on his feet and is void of creativity. Great shooters walk, job, explode and cut in spurts to be effective away from the ball.

3. Crafty and creative. A great shooter knows when his opponent is running out of gas and takes advantage. Angles are used to the fullest, especially when accepting screens. He uses the body or shirt of his teammate to aid his ability to get open. A player once told me, "Coach, they are not going to call a foul on me if I grab my own teammate!" Watch players who can really get open and chart their cuts and creativeness throughout the game. Your will be amazed at the multitude of tactics used.

4. Play the "opposites game". The best way to elude your opponents is to convince them your are making a cut in a specific direction. Once you have the defender's body and momentum moving one direction, good players plant their foot and explode in the opposite direction. Even without screens, a good player can get open to shoot just by following this simple strategy.

5. Be unpredictable. A shooter is most difficult to guard when his cuts and tactics are not predictable. Watch the best shooters on TV and you will see no pattern to their ability to get open. By employing the above skills, you will immediately become a versatile offensive player. The result of these strategies will increase your ability to help your team offensively and get you open for tons of shots.

These five concepts are weapons that shooters count on every night. Let the great dunkers have their way as they worship the game's most overrated skill. The key to getting open and making big shots is not to separate vertically from the floor, but to separate horizontally from your defender. All players should heed this advice and invest time in scoring before the shot. It will be one of your most valuable uses of time in your career.