Edward Foster is a post graduate of Clemson University(1996) and a huge sports fan. He currently has a company called Hidden Talent Sports Referral (http://hiddentalentports.net). On the web site, he writes articles that cover everything from AAU basketball to the NFL.The site also helps high school athletes gain recriuting exposure. Foster's writing style is based on not being afraid to go against the norm and can be backed up with strong facts and opinions. We all know that Michael Jordan is one of the greatest players ever, but has Dwyane Wade mastered a shot that could one day make him better then Mike? A shot that could one day make him the greatest of all-time. A shot, which if worked on properly, could make you a better all-around player!
In traveling from city to city and gym to gym, I noticed a few things in regards to basketball players and their overall "game." Ninety percent of the athletes do not have a mid-range jumper, which would be defined as a shot anywhere between 7-16 feet from the basket. This lost art is vital in the preparation to being an excellent player.
I have seen kids take the ball to the basket, utilize the low post with expertise and I have seen kids hit the deep three. However, the mid-range jumper is a shot that is not very popular with athletes right now.
The reality is that it's a shot, if mastered, can take your game to another level. Look at players like Rip Hamilton of the Detroit Pistons and Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat. These guys have mastered the art of the mid-range jumper.
Being that players are taller, stronger and more athletic in today's game, guards and even some forwards are having difficulty in getting to the basket. Being able to stop and hit the mid-range jumper will eliminate the chore of trying to score around the basket amongst the giants.
As a young athlete, it is critical to have a plan as to how you are going to improve your game. Most athletes develop their games in the off-season, because it gives you the opportunity to focus on skill building. With school being out for the summer there is plenty of time to find a goal and develop the mid-range jumper.
Whether you are attending basketball camps or doing individual drills by yourself, you must work on your game, which might require you to shoot 400-500 jumpers a day. That may sound like a lot, but once you get used to it, you will feel more comfortable shooting the ball that many times. This repetition makes you comfortable taking the shot when a real game situation occurs.
You have to understand, in order to be great at anything, you have to put in the work even on days you are dead tired. You have to be prepared to work harder than the next person.
O.J. Mayo from Cincinnati, Ohio, who is the top high school player in the class of 2007, works on his jump shot basically everyday! At 6'4", he understands that he is not the tallest guy on the court, so he will not always be able to take it to the basket and score. He realizes that he has to pull up short and hit the mid-range jumper in order to score from time to time. This makes him an efficient scorer.
Parents of athletes, in order for your child to be successful with developing their skills, it's important for them to have your support.
If you watched Dwyane Wade during the NBA finals and throughout the year, you noticed that he didn't take many three-point shots. Many of his points came from the mid-range area. The skill to be able to stop before entering the paint and nailing the jump shot increased his shooting percentage.
What Wade has done is made himself an all-around offensive weapon. The ability to carry his team was very similar to what we saw in Jordan. I'm not ready to say Wade is better than Mike, but that mid-range jumper was deadly. Just ask the Dallas Mavs, I'm sure they will agree.