Let’s talk about terminology for a second.
But before I even get into too far, let me say that I don’t get hung up on terminology too much. There was a guy on social media that told me that a player can’t get the guide hand off the ball because I referred to it as a guide hand, or non-shooting hand, or whatever I called it, and that they would be able to if I called it a “balance hand”. To him, the name made all the difference. To me, the name is simply what we call something so that people know what we are talking about. I just don’t think it improves a player if I call it the “balance hand”, the “guide hand” or “Steve”. The name doesn’t make a difference.
But, I want to make sure we avoid situations where I’m talking about one part of the shot, and you think I’m referring to another part of the shot. So let me clear up for you some of the terminology that I use, without implying this is the only correct terminology.
Let’s start with triple threat position. Some people call this the shooting pocket. I keep it at triple threat position just because I think we all get the same picture in our head of what that means. Triple threat is what I call it when a player holds the ball at belt height, hopefully protected and close to their body.
Next, the set point. To me, the set point is the position that is typically around forehead height for players where they transition from the lifting motion into the shooting motion. Others might call this the shooting pocket or the release point. You can see where confusion starts to arise.
Next, the release point. To me, the release point is the position of the follow through at the moment the ball is released from the hand.
Lastly, the follow through. This is the positions after the ball has left the hand.
Again, I’m not claiming these are the RIGHT names, or that you HAVE to use these names. I just thought that since people use t3 different names for 2 different positions, all interchangeable, I would explain what I’m talking about when I use these phrases.
And before I go, I want to talk for a second about the set point (remember, this is the transition point at forehead height). To me, this is the most important position in shooting. If a player can be in the correct position here, they stand an excellent chance of being a good shooter. The release point might be the most critical position, but it is more a reactionary position. The release point is more determined by positions that players hit earlier in their shot. If they get to a good set point, chances are good they are going to hit the correct release point.
To me, the set point defines a shooter. If they can’t physically get into the correct position, consistency will be tough.
