Taking Shots

This summer, I have had a silly little personal goal. Until now, I haven't talked much about it but there is a reason I have been on the court so much. I have always wanted to have decent basketball skills and so what began as a personal dedication has become a fun hobby. Its hard to say if I've improved - I hope I have - but the manner in which I've progressed is something I want to mention.

I've had all summer to look up guides, consult friends, talk to coaches, even seek out a trainer. However, I've done none of these things. I like to compare it to those jazz musicians who are completely self taught. Sure there's a proper way to play the fiddle, but what do they care? I haven't played organized basketball since I was 11 years old and any ball I've played in the interim has shown the complete deterioration of any skills I may have once had. That last part is generous. I remember my crowning moment in my basketball career was when I made a three pointer in a game. It was extra special because I didn't know which line to shoot from so I took it from three feet further back than was necessary. I also shot it like you would throw a soccer ball: both hands, overhead. Just goes to show how completely my soccer upbringing affected any sport I played. For God's sake, I've been playing basketball in Sambas all summer. Old habits die hard, I suppose.

Today was special. I had a breakthrough. What I could have learned from a five-minute YouTube tutorial finally clicked after two months of daily gym sessions. After observing some young guys playing ball at the opposite end of the court, I noticed they were landing on the other side of the three point line when they took their shots. Until today, I had been jumping straight up and down, landing in the same spot that I'd started. I tried their method. It worked. Next thing I knew, I was going head to head with Jordankobekareemshaqlebron. I hope this is the breakthrough I've been looking for. Until now, I've had a few false alarms. I've stumbled upon things that've helped but nothing that helped me go 16/30 like this did. Maybe my hands were just hot.