“If you want to shoot at the highest level, you better get comfortable hitting shots with a hand in your face.”
~ Steph Curry

Hey Reader!

Damn, I’d love a do-over. If I could go back and play one high school game with the mindset I have today, I’d take more of those so-called “contested” shots.

Back in 2017, if someone started toward me with a hand up, I’d often hesitate, pass, or drive into traffic, anything to avoid putting up a contested shot. Now, playing pro overseas, clean looks are rare. Almost every shot is truly contested. A hand in my face? Only inches to shoot? That’s just basketball.

Watching old film with my sister, it’s painful to see how many good looks I passed up. Most of the time, I had way more space than I realized. As always, my biggest opponent was living rent-free in my own head.

Here’s the truth: high school defenders aren’t smothering you half as much as you think. Those closeouts that look scary are often late, slow, or off-balance. In reality, if you can shoot with any kind of consistency, you’re open way more often than you think.

This isn’t an excuse to just start chucking shots. It’s the opposite. It’s the reason you should practice with a hand in your face, with teammates closing out hard, and with coaches making drills chaotic. That will help make those slightly-uncomfortable shots feel normal.

How much space do you really need? It depends on your release, your confidence, and the defender’s speed. But if a guy is a foot or two away and not in a full sprint, trust your work and put it up.

Stop chasing perfect looks. Instead, redefine “open” and take the shot.

You got this!

Brussels Basketball, BNXT Pro League

P.S. Want to chat about your game, your mindset, or your recruiting journey. Schedule a 1-on-1 session with me today!

3 Hacks From Me

Hack 1: Film Yourself, Then Check Your Spacing

Go back and watch videos of your games and pause every time you pass up a shot. Use something simple (like your shoe) as a ruler on-screen. How much space did you actually have? You’ll be surprised how often you bail out with 12–18 inches of space. Or more.

Hack 2: Practice with 12" Closeouts

In your next shooting session, have a friend or teammate close out but stop 12 inches away with a hand up. Make it your goal to get 20–30 shots off at game speed against that soft pressure. No dribbling, no hesitating. This gets you comfortable with “almost” contests. You can ask the defender to move closer once you're making shots consistently at 12".

Hack 3: Adjust to Variable Pressure

During practice, ask a defender to contest your shot in unpredictable ways. They should sometimes close out hard, sometimes ease up, and occasionally try to block your shot. Don’t let them announce how they’ll contest. This forces you to read each closeout in real time, adjust your shot speed, and get comfortable shooting under every kind of defensive pressure you’ll face in a real game.

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

2 Questions for Growth

1. How much space do you honestly think you need to shoot? Have you measured it, or are you just guessing?​
2. In practice, how often do you actually simulate real defensive pressure, or are most of your shots uncontested?​

Reply to this email and let me know!

1 Video to Watch

Coach Huber from BreakthroughBBall demonstrates 5 Quick Release Basketball Shooting Drills to help you get your shot off faster.

Check out our other free resources at HackingHoops.com.