Master the High Hard Pounds: Lock In Your Shooting Mechanics
Great shooters don't just rely on a smooth release; they rely on a perfect gather. The High Hard Pounds drill is a fundamental shooting activation exercise designed to synchronize your ball handling with your shot mechanics. This drill is essential for guards and wings looking to improve their "off-the-dribble" scoring, as it teaches you to transition instantly from a violent, controlled dribble into a soft, balanced jumper.
How to Perform This Drill
- Assume the Stance: Start in a low, athletic "square" position with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees bent. You should be in a loaded posture, ready to explode upward.
- Execute the Pounds: With your shooting hand, take two extremely hard dribbles directly outside your foot. Drive the ball down with maximum force—try to "dent the floor."
- Gather the Ball: On the rebound of the second pound, snap the ball quickly into your shooting pocket with your guide hand meeting the ball. Keep your hips low during this transition.
- Rise and Fire: In one fluid motion, transfer the energy from the bounce through your legs and into your shot. Lift the ball to your set point and release.
- Stick the Landing: Hold your follow-through until the ball hits the rim and land in the exact same spot you jumped from to ensure perfect balance.
Why This Drill Works
In a game, you rarely have time to adjust your grip perfectly before shooting. This drill forces your hand to naturally find the center of the ball through the resistance of the hard dribble, improving your tactile control and grip security. Furthermore, it reinforces the concept of "energy transfer." By starting low and exploding up from the hard pounds, you learn to generate power from your legs and core rather than pushing the ball with your arms, leading to increased range and consistency on your jumper.
Pro Tips
- Eyes on the Target: Do not look down at the ball while dribbling. Keep your eyes locked on the rim to simulate game pressure and improve your court vision.
- Speed of the Gather: The time between the last dribble hitting your hand and the ball reaching your set point should be instant. We call this a "quick pickup"—the faster you gather, the faster you shoot.
- Stay Loaded: Fight the urge to stand up straight between the dribbles. Keep your chest up but your hips dropped in a squat position so you are always ready to launch.
- exaggerate the Force: These aren't casual warmup dribbles. Pound the ball harder than you would in a game to over-stimulate your nervous system and build arm strength.
