“I know how hard I’ve worked and this isn't something that's going to last. I’m never going to stop shooting.” ~ Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever

Hey Reader!

Clank.

Clank.

Clank.

Shooting slumps are bad. But imagine being the face of basketball with fans packing arenas just to watch you play. And night after night, the ball just won’t go in.

Caitlin Clark is now 2-33 (5.7%!) from deep on the road and her frustration is obvious. And just as the All-Star Game and 3-point contest are set to happen, she’s sidelined with an injury. Amazingly, when asked about the slump, she laughed: “I’m never gonna stop shooting.”

I know what that feels like, although on a much smaller stage.

My senior year at Colgate was the toughest shooting stretch of my career. In my first three seasons, I shot around 40% from deep. Then came my senior year where, for about half the season, the ball just wouldn’t go in. It didn’t matter if I felt good in warmups or got open looks in the game. I’d go one for six, two for seven, or one for five, night after night. My percentage actually sank to around 20%. And it really started to mess with my head.

But, like Caitlin, I didn’t change my shot. I tried not to overthink it. I kept working, trusted the process, and kept shooting. By the end of the season, I had clawed my way back to 37%, hit five threes in the NCAA Tournament against Wisconsin, and made All-Conference First Team. (I still had another year because of Covid.)

If you’re grinding through AAU or summer leagues right now, feeling that sting every time a shot rattles out, look at it as an opportunity. Seriously. Use these games to work on your reaction, feel the frustration, and then take a breath and step into the next shot like it’s going in. You're building good habits and the mindset you'll need for tryouts and big games. If you face a slump during the season, you'll already know you can handle it.

Clearly, Caitlin Clark is not backing down. Through my own struggles, I didn’t either. The only way out is through. The only way is to Just. Keep. Shooting.

Brussels Basketball, BNXT Pro League

P.S. Need some help with your game or confidence? Book a 1-on-1 call with me or apply to join our community. We'd love to help you out!

3 Hacks From Me

Hack 1: Work on a “Bounce-Back Shot” Routine

After every miss (in practice, summer league, or AAU), make a habit of stopping for a half second, taking a breath, and then confidently stepping right into your next rep. No negative reaction, just move on. Your reaction, not the result of the shot, is the only thing 100% in your control.

Hack 2: "Reset" with Off-the-Clock Reps

Pick a time or place where no one is watching - early morning or late at night - and take 50 shots without video, parents, or coaches around. The zero-pressure setting helps you reconnect to why you love the game and relieves performance anxiety. Think of it as a “reset workout.”

Hack 3: For Coaches: Confidence Challenge (Love this one!)

Give a shooter going through a slump a “green light game.” Tell them before tip-off to let it fly, no matter what happened last game. Remove the fear of getting pulled after a miss. That vote of confidence can shake a player loose more than any drill.

*View all of our past emails at hackinghoops.kit.com/posts​

2 Questions for Growth

• How do I react after a miss, and what could I do differently with my body language or mindset?
• Am I sticking to my daily routines and habits, or do I start skipping steps when things aren’t going well?

Reply to this email and let me know!

1 Video to Watch

​Watch Tucker's video talking about his shooting slump in conference play.

Check out our other free resources at HackingHoops.com.