The stagger of the feet refers to how much one foot is positioned in front of the other. This can be related to body alignment or independent of it. A significant stagger often causes the body to turn away from the target or twist.

This twist occurs when a player has one foot in front of the other but keeps their shoulders square to the target. The twist can cause the player to turn their shoulders as they release the ball, impacting their hand position and energy flow. I encourage players to have a relatively square stance with minimal stagger in their feet. For example, if a player’s back foot’s toe is in line with the middle of the front foot, this is considered a square stance.

Ultimately, this comes back to energy. A symmetrical stance helps ensure even weight distribution between both legs, promoting better symmetry in leg push and creating more Positive Energy. Dropping one foot back can unintentionally shift weight unevenly, leading to asymmetrical leg push and increased Negative Energy. The goal is to have the legs create energy that flows straight up and at the target for the most consistent shot.

In addition to the positioning of the feet, weight distribution is essential for generating and controlling energy. Players should adopt an athletic stance, with the full foot in contact with the floor as they begin their shooting motion. However, the weight should be slightly shifted toward the front half of the foot. This slight forward weight shift enables quicker and more stable movement into the shot.

As the player starts to rock up onto their toes and jump, they should push through the midline of the foot, ensuring that the energy flows upward and forward in a controlled manner. This weight shift, combined with a balanced foot stagger, helps the player generate more Positive Energy and minimizes the risk of creating Negative Energy through uneven leg push or unnecessary twisting.

By maintaining a symmetrical stance and focusing on proper weight distribution, the player can create a more consistent and controlled shooting motion, maximizing Positive Energy throughout the shot.

On the left is an example of what I would consider optimal - level feet with legs in similar position. On the right is an example of the approximate maximum stagger. More than this and I worry that players will have a harder time pushing evenly with their legs, thus having a harder time pushing their Center of Gravity straight up in the air.