As players progress into the U17 and U19 age groups, their physical, cognitive, and skill development reach a level where shooting training must become increasingly individualized. At this stage, the broad focus of earlier years gives way to a more tailored approach, where practice sessions are designed to meet the specific needs of each player. Whether a player is a strong shooter looking to refine their skills in highly game-representative environments or a developing shooter exploring new movement patterns, the goal is to challenge each player at their appropriate level.

Tailoring Development to Individual Needs

In the U17/U19 age group, players have often begun to specialize in specific roles on their teams, and their shooting development should reflect this specialization. This is the age where a "one size fits all" approach is no longer effective, and coaches must focus on the unique needs and abilities of each player.

For Strong Shooters:

• Highly Game-Representative Practice:
  • • Players who have already established themselves as strong shooters should be consistently challenged with practice drills that are highly game-representative. This means simulating the types of shots they will take in games, under the same conditions of time, space, and defensive pressure. The goal is to refine their shooting mechanics under realistic conditions, ensuring they can perform at a high level during actual games.
  • Example Drill: Set up a drill where the player must shoot coming off screens, with defenders closing out aggressively. The player must quickly catch, set their feet, and release the shot while under pressure, mimicking game situations.

For Developing Shooters:

• Exploring New Movement Patterns:
  • • For players who are still developing their shooting skills, the focus should be on exploring new movement patterns that might initially feel uncomfortable but have the potential to improve their shooting effectiveness over time. These players may need to work on correcting fundamental issues in their form or learning to shoot more efficiently.
  • Example Drill: Use form shooting drills with task constraints, such as removing the guide hand or adjusting foot positioning, to help the player explore different ways of shooting that may lead to more consistent results. Incorporate a variety of drills that gradually increase in complexity as the player becomes more comfortable with new techniques.

Balancing Group and Individual Practice

At this level, practice time is generally more abundant, allowing for a combination of group and individual skill work. However, it's important to differentiate between what is best done in a group setting versus what requires individual attention.

Group Practice:

• Tactical Concepts:
  • • Group practices should focus on team-wide tactical concepts, such as spacing, ball movement, and executing offensive sets. These sessions are an opportunity to apply shooting skills in a team context, emphasizing how individual skills contribute to the overall strategy.
    • Universal Skills:
  • Certain skills, like maintaining balance during shooting, are applicable to all players regardless of their individual shooting ability. Group sessions should reinforce these fundamental skills, ensuring that every player has a strong foundation.

Individual Skill Development:

• Tailored Practice Sessions:
  • • Set aside dedicated time for individual skill work where players can focus on the areas that need the most improvement. This is where the coaching approach becomes highly personalized, with each player working on drills that align with their specific role on the team, their current abilities, and their long-term development goals.
  • Example Approach: A strong shooter might work on refining their catch-and-shoot ability under pressure, while a developing shooter might focus on building a more consistent shooting form. The key is to align the drills with the player's Challenge Point—the level of difficulty that stretches their abilities without overwhelming them.

Utilizing the Challenge Point Framework

The Challenge Point Framework is particularly relevant at the U17/U19 level. This concept involves finding the right balance between task difficulty and the player's skill level to maximize learning and development. For strong shooters, this might mean creating practice scenarios that are as close to game conditions as possible, pushing them to perform under pressure. For developing shooters, it might involve gradually increasing the complexity of drills as they become more comfortable with new techniques.

Applying the Challenge Point Framework:

• For Strong Shooters:
  • Increase the complexity of drills by adding defenders, reducing time for decision-making, or requiring shots from difficult angles.
• For Developing Shooters:
  • Start with simpler drills that focus on basic mechanics, gradually introducing more complexity as the player's confidence and competence grow.

Conclusion

Coaching U17/U19 basketball players requires a nuanced approach that tailors shooting development to each player's needs. Strong shooters should be challenged with highly game-representative drills that refine their skills under realistic conditions, while developing shooters should focus on exploring new movement patterns that will lead to long-term success. Group practices should reinforce tactical concepts and universal skills like balance, while individual sessions should be highly personalized, targeting each player's specific Challenge Point. This tailored approach ensures that every player continues to progress and refine their shooting abilities as they prepare for higher levels of competition.