Better Shooting 2
by: Better Basketball
price: $29.95 plus s/h
website: www.betterbasketball.com

Better Shooting 2 is one in a series of seven basketball training DVD’s from Better
Basketball.  Better Shooting 2 is is one of the best shooting video's that I have watched.  This DVD is a great training tool that will help both players and coaches.
Players will learn the techniques necessary to be a great shooter; from stance
and balance to shot motion and footwork.  Coaches can utilize this video to learn how to better teach shooting; and to find and correct shooting errors.

The lead instructor, Coach Rick Torbett, does a great job of breaking down the shot and demonstrating how each part together effects shooting. He goes step-by-step through each phase of the shot; explaining why each shooting mechanic is so important.  Coach Torbett also takes time to discuss specific training drills and exercises and various types of shots such as the bank shot, post shots, and pull-up jumpers.

The instruction, detail, video footage and illustrations in Better Shooting 2 are definitely first-rate!  Better Shooting 2 is very professionally done, a feature that is lacking in many shooting video's.  I was also very impressed with the inclusion of a chapter about women players.  Shooting should not be different for males and females but it often is taught differently.  Coach Torbett is dead-on in his recognition and understanding of this ‘problem’. Having coached girls basketball and in training female players, I have seen many of these shot development errors in females. The problem is not in being female but in the way many girls are taught.
I like the addition of this chapter as I believe it will help a great number of female basketball players. The interview with former University of Maryland star,
Shay Doron, is also a great experience.

Another great addition to Better Shooting 2 is the bonus section with J.J. Redick.  It is kind of an on-court Q & A session between Coach Torbett and Redick -- with J.J. explaining his techniques and demonstrating what has made him one of the greatest shooters ever.  It’s as close as you can get to learning directly from Redick without being on the court with him. A great bonus!

Better Shooting 2, at over 3 ½ hours, is a great value. There is so much shooting
knowledge on this DVD!  All of the techniques discussed are sound, valuable, and very usable to the improvement of your shooting.  If you aspire to be a great shooter, then this is one DVD you need.  Coaches, you will also want this video at your disposal to help your players become better shooters. Better Shooting 2 is a definite must-have DVD!

Back to top
Swish Basketball Shooting Instructional Video
by: Tom Nordland
price: $29.95 plus s/h
website: www.swish22.com

Shooting coach, Tom Nordland, teaches players how to become shooters in a simple, understandable manner.  The way in which he teaches shooting is different than most of us are accustomed to, and this is what makes his video stand apart from the rest.  His approach to shooting will work for any level of player from the very young to the very professional.  I have used his methods with my teams and have watched the field goal and free throw percentages improve.  Coach Nordland goes through his methods in an easy-to-follow process and also includes a workbook and a shooting guide with the video, to help as you watch and to help as you practice.

If you want to become a better shooter, or if you want your team to have a higher overall shooting percentage, then this video is a must-have.

For ordering information or to learn more about the Swish Basketball Shooting Instructional Video, check out Coach Nordland's website at www.swish22.com

Update!!
The Swish Video is now available on DVD!  The new DVD has the added bonus feature of six extra minutes of shooting clips.  This is a great feature because you now have the opportunity to see the instruction 'in action'.  The shooting clips are a great addition and a valuable tool in learning the 'Swish Method'.


Back to top
Nitty-Gritty Basketball Series
by: Sidney Goldstein
price: see link below for pricing and special discounts
website: www.mrbasketball.net

Coach Sidney Goldstein, author of the best selling book, The Basketball Coach's Bible, has released a video and DVD set based on that book and his other books.  This series of 14 tapes and/or DVD's covers all areas of basketball from individual skills to team play to planning practices.

Fundamentals I - Individual Skills

This is the first tape in the series and the first one you should own.  Coach Goldstein progresses through the basic fundamental skills needed to be a player, whether you are in elementary school or in the professional ranks.  In a very detailed and easy-to-follow manner you will learn the correct techniques of how to handle the ball, pivot, pass, catch, and shoot.  You will also learn how to perform various individual offensive moves, how to shoot under pressure, how to properly practice shooting, and how to rebound effectively.  There is also detailed sections on playing defense and picking.

What I particularly like about this video is that Coach Goldstein not only discusses how to properly and fundamentally perform these actions, he also uses basketball players to help demonstrate them.  Seeing others go through these fundamentals is a great way to learn.  You will also see and learn a great deal of drills and activities that you can use for yourself if you are a player or use for your team if you are a coach.  Not only will you have the knowledge of how to play fundamentally, you will have the drills to actually go out and practice effectively.

Bottom-line:  This is a great video that is a must-have for all coaches.  I have yet to see another video with so much attention to detail, yet taught in an easy-to-understand manner.


Back to top
Ultimate Stair Exercises DVD
by: Virgil Aponte
price: see link below for pricing
website: www.givstrength.com

Personal trainer and physical education teacher, Virgil Aponte, has developed a wonderful training program for all athletes, as well as for anyone interested in a great workout!  The 'Ultimate Stair Exercises' on DVD is a 2 volume set that covers over 40 stair climbing exercises used by professional, college, and high school athletes to increase strength, power, flexibility and conditioning.

Volume 1 of this DVD set focuses on exercises specifically targeted for improving aerobic fitness, anaerobic conditioning, and flexibility.  Volume 2 is focused on stair exercises that will aid in the improvement of strength and power development.  This is a great set in that it is particularly well-demonstrated.  You can watch as Coach Aponte personally demonstrates the proper technique and form needed for each exercise.  It is very descriptive and easy to follow.  You won't be guessing at how to do any of the exercises...it is very well explained.

I highly recommend this 'Ultimate Stair Exercise DVD' set for any coach who is looking for ways to improve his/her team's overall athletic ability and would like to utilize a method outside of the weight room.  I also recommend this to any athlete who wants to improve his/her strength, power, conditioning, and flexibility.  I often use stair exercises to enhance workouts and this is the finest example I have seen of relevant stair exercises that will noticeably improve your athletic ability.

To read more, learn more, and to check out the 'Ultimate Stair Exercises' DVD, check out Virgil Aponte's website, GivStrength, now!!


Back to top
Walking Through The Foot
by: Mike Dunlap and Metro State Men's Basketball
price: $30.00
website: www.startsmartbasketball.com

Coach Mike Dunlap, head men's basketball coach of two-time NCAA Division II champion Metro State, takes us through a variety of footwork drills his teams utilize to help them become quicker and more efficient basketball players.

The tape is basically broken into two sections.  In the first part, Coach Dunlap discusses the how's and why's to working on improving footwork for basketball players.  Coach Dunlap believes in doing these footwork drills so that the athletes can learn to move from point A to point B most efficiently.  In my role as a strength and conditioning coach, I agree with this idea completely.  Some players will be quick, some will not be very quick.  However, we all can learn to use our body properly and fundamentally so that we become more efficient in our movements.

The second part of the tape is a demonstration of the more than 20 drills utilized to help the athlete's become more efficient.  Each drill is also explained and described as necessary giving you a complete understanding of how to properly perform and instruct the specific movement.

This is a wonderful video to help you give your team and athlete's the tools necessary to become not only better basketball players, but better athletes as well.  If you are serious about developing better athletes with the understanding that a better athlete equals a better basketball player, then this video is a must-have for your library.


Back to top
Basketball DVD & Video Reviews
Click on a link below to read the Hoops U. DVD Review.  Also, be sure to check out the Hoops U. Book Reviews and the Equipment Reviews.
Basketball Shooting: Confidence, Rhythm and Mechanics
by: Dr. Hal Wissel
price: $39.95 plus s/h
website: www.basketballworld.com

Coach Hal Wissel has developed a great teaching video that is applicable to both coaches and players.  'Basketball Shooting: Confidence, Rhythm, and Mechanics' is an inside peek at one of his Shoot It Better mini-camps.  Watch the instruction and teaching in live action as players are performing drills and exercises.

As it says in the title, the video deals specifically with developing and improving a shooter's confidence, rhythm and mechanics.  I found this one of the most informative videos on teaching shooting that I have viewed.  Coach Wissel not only discusses the value of being a confident shooter with good rhythm and mechanics, but he demonstrates ways and ideas to improve in those three areas.  We all know it is important to be confident and Coach Wissel shows us how to develop that confidence.  The use of key words and positive 'self-talk' is a wonderful instrument for shooters to follow.

Another great aspect of this video is all of the shooting drills that are demonstrated.  Obviously, we always need to practice shooting, but Coach Wissel utilizes many 'cutting-edge' warm-up and lead-up shooting drills to improve the mechanics of a shot.

Overall, this is a great video and teaching tool.  Confidence and mechanics are certainly aspects of a shot that we all want and Coach Wissel teaches shooting in a way that doesn't simply tell us to be confident, but shows us how we can develop the confidence and mechanics necessary to become great shooters through utilizing key, positive words and excellent shooting drills.

This is a must-have video for any coach that wants to improve team shooting and for any player who wants to become a more confident, higher percentage shooter.


Back to top
HoopsU.com Basketball Coaching and Basketball Training

Hoops U Fundraising
Recommended
All NBA Tickets and NCAA Basketball Tickets are now available at great prices through Ticket Broker Vividseats.com! Find Lakers Tickets , Knicks Tickets , Heat Tickets , Celtics Tickets , and many more today!
Recommended
Get winning Sports Handicapping Advice and Betting Strategies from Doc's Sports Handicapping Experts. Readers will get Free Sports Picks from the advisory board of NBA Handicappers and College Basketball handicappers.

Hoops U. - Est. 9-11-1999

Copyright © 1999-2008 Hoops U. ® All rights reserved
The information contained in HoopsU.com may not be published, broadcast, framed, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of Hoops U.

Basketball Shooting: Off the Pass, Off the Dribble and In The Post
by: Dr. Hal Wissel
price: $39.95 plus s/h
website: www.basketballworld.com

This DVD, by Dr. Hal Wissel, is a great companion piece to his other DVD, Basketball Shooting: Confidence, Rhythm and Mechanics [about | review].  I found this to be a highly effective video at teaching various types of 'game shots'.  Coach Wissel has a way of teaching  the skill of shooting that makes it easy to comprehend; thereby giving you what you need to improve as a shooter.

The video is set at one of his 'Shoot It Better Mini Camps' with college and pro players.  Coach Wissel teaches many various shooting moves, as the title suggests.  However, you don't simply get shooting drills to emulate ... you learn how to technically and fundamentally execute the moves.  Learn how to effectively and quickly shoot upon receiving a pass; learn to shoot properly off the dribble; and learn techniques, moves, and counter-moves for scoring in the post.  Work on these moves or teach them to your players and you will see improvements in scoring ability and shooting percentages.

Basketball Shooting: Off the Pass, Off the Dribble and In the Post will make an excellent addition to your video library.  It is great by itself, but to receive the full complement of Dr. Wissel's knowledge of shooting, I urge you to also look seriously at his DVD, Confidence, Rhythm and Mechanics.  Either way, this DVD is a definite must-have!

Back to top
Better Basketball Training
Recommended
Sports handicapper Nick Jones provides premium and free sports picks plus college basketball odds and sports news.