Movement Coordination/Stability Drills
The Movement Coordination phase is the foundation for basketball shooting, where players focus on refining their mechanics and establishing consistent habits. This phase is characterized by high accountability to optimal shooting habits, and its primary goal is to help players explore and adopt more efficient and effective movement patterns in their shot.
When coaches picture this phase, they should think of Contemporary Dynamic Form Shooting, which I’ve developed specifically to achieve these goals. Players in this phase will work on exploring around new habits—whether that’s improving footwork, hand positioning, or shot alignment. The idea here is to focus on making movements as close to “perfect” as possible within each player's context.
Key Characteristics of Movement Coordination Training
- Low to Moderate Game-Representativeness:
In this phase, we aren’t emphasizing complex game-like situations. Instead, we’re working in relatively controlled settings where the player's primary focus is on repetition and habit refinement. Players are encouraged to develop smooth, repeatable mechanics that will serve as the foundation for more complex drills later. - Low Variability and Task Complexity:
The phase features low variability in the sense that we aren’t introducing significant environmental or situational challenges, like defenders or time pressure. That said, low variability doesn’t mean no variability. Players will still encounter some minor variations to help reinforce adaptability, but the focus is on consistency rather than dynamic changes. What qualifies as “low” or “moderate” variability may differ from player to player, depending on their skill level and current needs. - High Accountability to Optimal Habits:
This is the most critical aspect of this phase. Players should aim to hold themselves (and be held) to a high standard. Every movement, from the placement of the feet to the follow-through, should be examined and refined to get as close to optimal as possible. This doesn’t mean perfection is expected, but players should be constantly working toward optimal mechanics that will increase their chances of success in real-game situations.
Relevance of Non-Linear Pedagogy
This phase can still incorporate elements of Non-Linear Pedagogy, where players move back and forth between different types of practice. Rather than focusing exclusively on perfecting one aspect of their shot, players may alternate between different movements and drills within this phase, experimenting with foot positioning, hand placement, or shot mechanics. This back-and-forth approach helps to build adaptability and resilience, while still keeping the overall emphasis on form and movement coordination.
Connection to the Larger Periodization Framework
The Movement Coordination phase serves as the base for the entire periodization structure, much like the endurance phase in physical conditioning. By establishing strong movement foundations here, players will be better equipped to move into the Skill Adaptability and Performance Training phases later on. This phase doesn’t involve game-like pressure, but it’s essential in preparing the body and mind to handle those more complex demands as the season progresses.