01-28-2013, 11:47 PM
I'm fairly happy with the direction and progress in the last few games. Coaches are giving relatively inexperienced players the green light to explore their games (within reason). More people are attempting basketball plays, including shots, which is progress, and I'm not so concerned right now with the misses. A lot of them would do better with adding a two foot jump stop (getting balance), go up and down vertically (not leaning or fading) - into the shot. The highest percentage shot from the field though is a catch-and-shoot (many need to do that and stop dribbling automatically when a team-mate has set them up for a shot).
It was nice to see Chiney take a jumper or two, even if missed. The goal should be to take even more per game. Chiney's comfort on the left side of the basket will improve when she can execute a two foot jump stop, and take a real jump shot (sometimes off the back board, that angle is much better). The misses in that left zone for her comes from fading away (making the angle of the shot worse), and pushing the ball to the basket -- not taking the full jump shot yet. But even so, there is progress there in trying more things from that side.
This is the time of the season to take the risks. Try bringing practice skills to the court in games. Each player should find a sweet spot in practice, where they can hit a shot at above 50%, in several conditions; set shot, catch and shoot, two-foot jump stop. Then make it easy in-game, and try to get several shots off from the sweet spot.
It was interesting to observe how connected the team is generally on defense. The team flowed well together for most of these last games. By way of contrast, the offense is to often much more choppy and disconnected.The team has done enough to get 15+ leads in games. But they have also let some teams back into the games, usually with around 10 minutes left. Some of it is giving different combinations of people the opportunity to play -- which I think is a good idea. It surprised me a bit that the runs by the other team is helped along by the Stan team becoming more disconnected on defense during those periods. The defense seems to become more one-on-one, with every player wanting to steal the ball or block the shot -- and getting lots of fouls instead. Making a player take a tough shot without fouling, and relying on your teammates for support gets lost somewhat during the runs. Moving the feet, position the body -- and keep the hands and arms away from being targets opponents can exploit to get fouls.
It was also nice to see some team members playing thru tough physical defense, dishing out some contact for a change. It was nice to see members of the other team holding their jaws for a change (nothing dirty, just moving bodies into position first, or making an aggressive forceful move first when someone is laying their chin on your chest).
And it was nice to see Chiney playing essentially the 3 for a bit. Clearly it is a work in progress, but worth the risk/effort. She needs to be comfortable defending (without fouling) - and scoring from the short perimeter (not so much for remaining Pac12; but for potent versatility for NCAA run).
When Taylor was hitting shots early in the season, she was taking the ball up much more quickly to slightly above shoulder height, then releasing with good leg strength behind the shot. Seems slower uptake and lower release point now.
I smile sometimes when I see a few players running down the court and it seems that glue is stuck to the bottom of their shoes. More weight work is needed on some legs (or some much lighter shoes).
There are several upcoming games to continue making progress.
It was nice to see Chiney take a jumper or two, even if missed. The goal should be to take even more per game. Chiney's comfort on the left side of the basket will improve when she can execute a two foot jump stop, and take a real jump shot (sometimes off the back board, that angle is much better). The misses in that left zone for her comes from fading away (making the angle of the shot worse), and pushing the ball to the basket -- not taking the full jump shot yet. But even so, there is progress there in trying more things from that side.
This is the time of the season to take the risks. Try bringing practice skills to the court in games. Each player should find a sweet spot in practice, where they can hit a shot at above 50%, in several conditions; set shot, catch and shoot, two-foot jump stop. Then make it easy in-game, and try to get several shots off from the sweet spot.
It was interesting to observe how connected the team is generally on defense. The team flowed well together for most of these last games. By way of contrast, the offense is to often much more choppy and disconnected.The team has done enough to get 15+ leads in games. But they have also let some teams back into the games, usually with around 10 minutes left. Some of it is giving different combinations of people the opportunity to play -- which I think is a good idea. It surprised me a bit that the runs by the other team is helped along by the Stan team becoming more disconnected on defense during those periods. The defense seems to become more one-on-one, with every player wanting to steal the ball or block the shot -- and getting lots of fouls instead. Making a player take a tough shot without fouling, and relying on your teammates for support gets lost somewhat during the runs. Moving the feet, position the body -- and keep the hands and arms away from being targets opponents can exploit to get fouls.
It was also nice to see some team members playing thru tough physical defense, dishing out some contact for a change. It was nice to see members of the other team holding their jaws for a change (nothing dirty, just moving bodies into position first, or making an aggressive forceful move first when someone is laying their chin on your chest).
And it was nice to see Chiney playing essentially the 3 for a bit. Clearly it is a work in progress, but worth the risk/effort. She needs to be comfortable defending (without fouling) - and scoring from the short perimeter (not so much for remaining Pac12; but for potent versatility for NCAA run).
When Taylor was hitting shots early in the season, she was taking the ball up much more quickly to slightly above shoulder height, then releasing with good leg strength behind the shot. Seems slower uptake and lower release point now.
I smile sometimes when I see a few players running down the court and it seems that glue is stuck to the bottom of their shoes. More weight work is needed on some legs (or some much lighter shoes).
There are several upcoming games to continue making progress.