I do overuse it little during games.
That's my only problem with runners/floaters. Yes, they're a good shot. BUT, only at times. If the other team has an imposing frontcourt that is capable of constantly blocking/altering shots to where you don't think you can overcome it, then a floater is a good choice. But too many people rely on that shot instead of getting to the basket to create/absorb contact. I was always taught, and teach my players, that getting to the basket is priority #1 on offense. We design our plays around the few decent penetrators we have and around quick decisive ball movement with the ultimate goal of reaching the paint for easy shots. We do this because 1: close shots are obviously higher percentage, 2: short shots are easier to decipher where rebounds will come from and we crash boards hard to rebound, 3: most importantly we like to create contact on our layups/short shots to get opposing big men in foul trouble early and often. This allows us to get to the free throw line (where we shoot 70%+ as a team) and get easy points. My starting point guard, and starting 2 guard lead the team in PPG, but they do it by getting to the free throw line 5+ times a game. Look at all the biggest stars in basketball. They get EASY points by getting to the line often and shooting it well (here's looking at Dwight Howard who could easily have 5-6 more ppg if he shot just 70% from the line).
A floater/runner is a good shot, but it works by avoiding contact. It also sets you up (if you're not paying attention) to commit charges as you are jumping with your momentum heading towards the basket. It's a lazy move somewhat as it gives you an easy out to avoid going all the way to the basket. I allow my players to shoot it, but they sure as heck better have tried going all the way to the basket a time or two before they shoot it. My players are above average at finishing around the rim. We run a lot of drills for absorbing contact on inside shots. Of course, it helps that I'm 6'5" and athletically capable of playing with them during practice so they get the feel of a shot blocker's presence inside (Example: The movie The Rookie with Dennis Quade, when he started pitching to his baseball players, they became better hitters.).
Anyways, once again, this is just my opinion as a player/coach.
A question is how can I improve my bball IQ. When I was playing I was probably just as skilled or more in some areas as the other players, but I was seriously lacking with my court savviness. Is it just playing? How can I watch game tape to become a better offensive player, defensive player, team player, and a point guard. I have begun reading Dick Devenzio's "stuff" a little every night.
The best thing for this is to play early, often and with as good of players as you can. I was fortunate growing up to have a Dad, Mom and older brother who all played and enjoyed watching basketball. When I was little, I played with my Dad's weekend group of guys who just got together to play every so often. Both my parents played college ball and knew the game very well and taught me from a young age. Also, my brother who is 2 years older than me would go and play with his friends (who were usually 2-3 years older than him) and I got to tag along. So I always played with older, more physical, semi-smarter players than I or my friends were. It just helped develop me naturally at a quicker pace.
The 2nd thing I can recommend is watching basketball with a purpose. Record a game, re-watch it. If somebody does something well, say someone has 10+ assists in a game and you want to know how he got that. Grab a piece of paper and a pencil and pay attention to -only- that player. See how he dribbles to a spot in the court that sets his teammate up for that backdoor lob, or see how he slows down his speed to let the play develop in front of him. Try and decipher what it was he was thinking as the play develops. Write it all down. Make mental notes of what he's doing to be successful. The more you do this (I did this -a lot-) the more it becomes second nature to you. And the more you start to recognize something you're familiar with, before it happens. You can apply this to all aspects of the game, defense or offense, individual or team, etc. Also, read a lot of books. Almost every basketball book ever written by a semi-established coach will teach you at least 1 thing new. Whether it's just hearing something you've heard before re-worded to make sense or something entirely new. Just read read read! (Sidenote: I HATE reading...but for some reason basketball books are easy to read. I try to read a new one every 3-4 months. I've only started doing this in the last year. And they're not all about learning basketball, some are just informative looks at the history of basketball or just outside random knowledge of basketball). Hit up your local library if you can and see what kind of section they have. Then just start going through the ones that look interesting.
Hope that helps!
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