Low Point Shooting
Go through your free throw routine. Line yourself up, take your dribbles, and do whatever else it is that you do. Right before you are about to bring your body up to shoot, stop yourself. That is your low point. The point that you find yourself comfortable while using the right amount of bend in your knees and leg strength to shoot the ball. That is the point where you should always prepare to catch the ball, and be in for triple threat, because you can elevate right into your shot from there.
Different players will have different low points as some players shoot the ball with more elevation, some shoot with a slight bend in the knees, but you should always be ready to shoot the ball and be a threat whenever you catch the ball.
While you are doing your shooting drills, create consistency. Catch at your low point, have your feet the same way, have your target up, hop into the pass, and have the same amount of turn in your body at the end of your shot. Frequent reps while shooting with consistency will help build muscle memory so your body is constantly ready to shoot the same way.
One way to work on gaining the consistency in using your low point is to start with form shooting right in front of the rim. Spin the ball out to yourself and catch the ball on the hop right at your low point. Use the right amount of lift in your legs (without jumping, up on your toes) and extension in your arms to see the ball go up and in without hitting the rim (the back of the rim is okay, front of the rim you need more lift, and sides of the rim you need to adjust your stance to be lined up correctly). Make three shots in a row and you take a step back to do it again. Keep moving back as far as you can go while still being able to shoot without jumping. Once you need to jump or start pushing the ball, rather than shooting, you are done. Do this before your shooting workouts to get a better feel for the leg strength in your shooting. The more you do it, the more familiar you will be with shooting with your legs at your low point.
When working on catch and shoots, your body should have one fluid motion up into the shot. So catching that ball at your low point will allow you to rise right up to take your shot. Be low and engaged so your body is ready to shoot rather than catching the ball high, only to have to bring your body back down to shoot anyway. Low and strong, not weak and high.
