How NBA Coach Dave Hopla Teaches Shooting The Basketball

[@SILK334]

The way I look at it is this, the man has great form and his numbers don't lie so he has a pretty good idea what he is talking about

[@NewEnglish860]

Saw him teach at ECSU as a kid. He is awesome.

[@HoopsMR22]

There's two ways of looking at shooting. 1) The best shooters in the world have certain mechanics that make them great, and we should try to emulate those mechanics. This is Coach Hoover's view. 2) Even the best shooters in the world have room to improve their shooting. If they tightened up their mechanics, they would be even better shooters. This is Dave Hopla's view. Dave Hopla thinks he's the best shooter in the world (and he just might be the best at standing alone in a gym and knocking down jumpers). He believes he's the best because he has the best mechanics, and everyone would get better at shooting if they practiced his mechanics. Personally, I think Coach Hoover's view is correct. Hopla might make every shot when there is no defense, and he gets a perfect pass every time. However, that's not how basketball is played. I'd love to see how Hopla shoots in a game situation. I highly doubt he'd shoot anywhere near as well. Also, laugh at my claim if you'd like, but I consider myself a great shooter, so I think my opinion on this subject holds a lot of weight. I spent most of my childhood trying to shoot like Dave Hopla and getting frustrated. Ever since I learned about ProShot, my shot has gotten much more consistent. ProShot principles just feel so much better.

[@bballbreakdown]

Michael Riveccio All terrific points. Well said!

[@34cvc]

how is it possible to catch a ball low and dont dip if your teammates make a bad pass to the side or up? just think a little bit and youll see how flaw that system is... he says no turn or 10 toes to the rim, but he was teaching the turn as he was explaining. and to end it off, how can you have more options off the 1-2 step rather than the hop? not even gonna waiste my time on this. coaches have to open their eyes and be open to say im wrong, and teach the right things! nothing bad about being wrong if youre willing to change

[@bballbreakdown]

I agree, especially with the 1st point...

[@34cvc]

mat mullins true

[@theartofcompetition5965]

I really like what you wrote :) and i agree for the most part. but he basically does everything the same as the pro shot system. his form is very standard. and is just fine for in game scenarios. what does he do differently than the pro shot system?

[@marcelamazan565]

He knows his stuff!

[@SuperStrik9]

Cool to see Dave Hopla. Remember when he worked with the Raptors back in the Bosh era.

[@edchelstephens]

Great interview! Thanks coach 💯

[@AznpersuAzn12]

Just in case you didn't realize this, neither Coach Nick nor him specified when he prefers the 1-2 step (off the dribble or spot up). It seems to me that his preference for the 1-2 step is when shooting off the dribble. Also the reason Coach Nick and the Pro Shot System like the hop is because it's faster off a spot up situation. Both Coach Nick and the Pro Shot system have stated that they do not have a preference when it comes to shooting of the dribble (1-2 or Hop)

[@SuperMrme2]

Excellent interview

[@zzdh1]

"a quarterback doesnt follow the path of the basketball"... Did anybody else catch that?

[@bballbreakdown]

Well, this is true...

[@ExpCommie]

lmaoo hilarious

[@ChromaticTempest]

Yep and could find no fault with it. lol

[@EGarrett01]

Pretty sure he meant that the quarterback doesn't watch the football when he throws a pass.

[@allworldzeus5935]

im saying

[@travellingsilently]

Hey Dave, we loved you in Belfast.

[@Cabbrickk]

Confidence, concentration, consistency and control are the most important skills in a shooter's arsenal.

[@knoknivesgaming9573]

Guy came to my ball camp today, doesn't miss

[@ShareefusMaximus]

Best shooting year ever for Carmello came under coach Hopla's drilling. I don't know a shooing coach that could out shoot him. (That includes Mark Price and Dell Curry.)

[@edgurrr]

Well that settles that debate. No more hop/1-2/dip videos (jk, keep em coming)

[@theartofcompetition5965]

a lot of people are comparing him with the pro shot system. while he may not articulate it quite as well. . .he basically does everything the pro shot system suggest. a lot of people mention him not being able to shoot like this in a game. This is like the most standard way of shooting ever. all good shooters in the nba shoot like this basically he just does it better. without small flaws here and there

[@theartofcompetition5965]

you guys didnt comprehend what he said about the dip. hes basically saying you should dip if its a bad pass or you werent shot ready, but optimally you dont want to dip it if you catch it in that position already

[@ballersix2941]

I'm glad this video was posted, always good to hear other peoples thoughts etc, . I can see the benefits in both styles but as a former player I wish I used the hop to speed up my catch and shoot back in my playing days instead of the 1-2 that I used back then. I teach the Hop to players now btw even though I often still shoot myself using the 1-2 from habit.

[@bballbreakdown]

I'm the same way. I hop off the dribble, but I've got 30yrs of 1-2 muscle memory

[@ballersix2941]

BBALLBREAKDOWN Oh "muscle memory" how I love you but hate you at the same time :D

[@marcellon2003]

Coach Nick with the cheeky questions about the ProShot Shooting System. ProShot System works, my shot has improved the last couple months, not that it was great to begin with, but I've seen some steady improvement since I've started using the system.

[@bballbreakdown]

Awesome. I believe in ProShot, but i also like to share lots of opinions...

[@marcellon2003]

Absolutely, coach!

[@tomeknaj]

HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE ARE GONNA APPEAR ON THIS CHANNEL TALKING/TEACHING HOW TO SHOOT THE BALL I WAS ALREADY ALERGIC TO THIS VIDEO TITLE NOW I CANNOT BE STOPPED

[@bballbreakdown]

C'mon, we done probably 20 put of over 900

[@tomeknaj]

Well... 20 is still quite a number!:)

[@TheKomet123]

Coach, How is Shawn Marion shooting mechanics?

[@bballbreakdown]

They're pretty bad.

[@hdtekstil]

BBALLBREAKDOWN How about MKG's new mechanics ? Better than before but is it still bad or not ?

[@sohaminyoh]

BBALLBREAKDOWN Magic Johnson?

[@jasonjasonson9154]

BBALLBREAKDOWN are they pretty bad or is it a shooting form that has kept him in the league for 15 years?

[@michaelcisneros3986]

jason jasonson Shawn Marion hasn't been in the nba because of his jumpshot it's because he is a good defender his jump shot is horrible

[@GunterJPN]

Hopla is an amazing shooter, and very old school (as am I). The recent trend of hopping/dipping/sweep and sway/finger/etc. is fine and dandy, but practice is what is most important. Hopla practices his shot like crazy. He keeps records of his makes and misses, over YEARS. I'd put him up against any Pro Shot System shooter for 1000 shots around the court, and I think he'd win. He might not be able to do ANYTHING else, but he can SHOOT.

[@bballbreakdown]

GunterJPN For sure. That said, if you're practicing bad mechanics, you're just practicing to miss

[@34cvc]

like mj said, if youre practising the wrong way, youll become the best in the world at doing the wrong things... ;)

[@paufranco8960]

If you practice every day, even with bad mechanics you can become a pretty good shooter. And that's the problem. I think that if you practice the same time with good mechanics you will become a GREAT shooter. Watching NBA staes and practicing, i think that the turn, dip and sweep and sway are the best elements to a great shot

[@pedromoreira840]

***** Ray Allen will not be as good as he his now because he uses a lot of lift in is shoot

[@GunterJPN]

BBALLBREAKDOWN Do Jamaal Wilkes and Reggie Miller have good mechanics to you? I contend that they have bad mechanics, but a shot with bad mechanics that goes in, if done exactly the same way every single time, will go in every single time. Certain shooting forms and shooting systems work to minimize variables in the shot, but to say that bad mechanics is equal to missing is erroneous. Silk and Reggie understood their shots. They knew what they had to do to make their shots. That knowledge came through practice. Even though they practiced with bad mechanics, they practiced MAKING SHOTS with bad mechanics.

[@2big2handsome]

everyone who doesnt know look up who Dave Hopla is...one of the best shooters ever

[@hdtekstil]

I prefer 1-2 over hop as jumping disturbs my rhytm when I shoot. Best shooting for me is to take one dribble to the side or front ( if there's space ) then take the jumper after catching the ball. Hitting the ball to the floor before shooting helps me a lot

[@bballbreakdown]

Okay, but that is a lot slower

[@hdtekstil]

BBALLBREAKDOWN Sure it is. Slow doesn't matter much in pick-up games though :) That's the only place I play bball. Love your videos, analysis. Thank you for putting all those work for your audience. (Y)

[@bballbreakdown]

Thx! #ImIn

[@hdtekstil]

BBALLBREAKDOWN Hey coach I was playing basketball the other day and I figured out that I use 1,2 and hop both. I remember the exact time when I used hop it was when I needed to create space for my jumpshot and I hop stepped to left before catching the ball to create space for a jumper.

[@Dan-cy1ld]

I focus on Shooting the ball over the front of the Rim in the middle of the basket

[@jataka3]

I agree with targeting in the epicenter of the hoop or the backboard if doing a bank shot. Thank Coach Dave. I'll put this into practice

[@GanLinChuMa]

Coach,whats the best way to hold the ball before shooting?

[@theartofcompetition5965]

the biggest difference I see I his shot that I'm very curious about is that his knees now outwards instead of inwards

[@ExpCommie]

LOL, this guy trained me at Jim Calhoun camp

[@ndlovulwazi]

same here ,He coached us in Leeds UK .he helped me out with my mechanics

[@IdKForDahWin]

This coach was supposed to teach us how to shoot. He started off good. He said that the index finger should dominate the ball. Then we needed to shoot one handed jumpshots squared up from the free throw all the way to almost half court. I asked him isnt it better to allign your shooting arm and he said no . I made like 3-20 shots with shooting one handed squared up it was terrible.

[@bballbreakdown]

Well, nothing happens that quickly. You gotta give every type of technique time...

[@GabrielJauregui]

Great Stuff

[@Lauie222]

seems like he was completely opposite to coach nicks principles. He prefers the 1-2, doesnt have the turn, doesnt like the dip or sway haha

[@bballbreakdown]

He definitely has a turn, just doesn't use the right foot as part of it... Watch him. Shooting in the beginning.

[@ttu0mas96]

BBALLBREAKDOWN and Im pretty sure he sways too... I remember watching one of his vids.

[@Wowchiehemera7456]

He was so serious when he said it too , He gives a look like I fucked up but lets carry on

[@martytu20]

He did say feet should land slightly forward because you want momentum. Unless he didn't know what the sway was, he just contradicted himself.

[@azteccarts3817]

Dave coaches at my basketball camp at mass maratime.

[@MrMontetowe]

Can we have a sports physiologist discuss how the dip enables you to connect the power from your lower body to the shot? Is it really quicker to not dip? I don't believe you can explode into a quick shot without a dip. I shot and taught not dipping for years, and now that it is part of my shot and I teach it seems so much quicker and explosive. I watched a girls' team practice, and nobody dipped and they shot well in practice situations. But then, in game situations, those same players struggle to get their shots off.

[@bballbreakdown]

I've always felt that not dipping causes incredible tension in the shoulders and rushes the shot.

[@jasonjasonson9154]

BBALLBREAKDOWN how would not dipping create more tension in the shoulders than dipping? when you dip youre actually contracting your shoulders more than if you don't dip

[@Natethemagicman]

Omg this guy is a freaking genius I mean who knew that quarterbacks dont follow the flight of the basketball 😂

[@Windowlick_]

I find it somewhat amusing that he says he doesn't teach the turn, but then perfectly describes it right afterwards...

[@CJ14Bball]

0:39 if you actually watch how pretty much every player does a step back, they hop because it's quicker than a 1-2

[@levi8676]

Hey coach, can you become a great shooter with a four finger down ''cookie jar'' release? Do you know any great NBA shooters that are using that kind of release? I'm having troubles with adjusting to the one finger release so thats why i wonder.

[@bballbreakdown]

I believe having the last 3 fingers higher than the index is important on release... That's how I'd teach it...

[@joeromero92]

has he interviewed Black Jack Ryan aka water? the shooting legend from the Brooklyn

[@hulksmash54]

Watch him shooting nba 3's. He dips, turns, sweeps and sways. Can't see it here because he's shooting set shots. Hopla is an exhibitionist, coach Hoover is a coach and there's a big difference.

[@RydATube]

Interesting Stuff

[@mrpitusberry]

releasing the ball with two fingers is also the way Dirk's shooting coach recommends. feels kinda awkward though at the beginning when you are more used to shooting with three fingers.

[@bballbreakdown]

I coach releasing with the index finger only, pinch it to the thumb

[@mrpitusberry]

BBALLBREAKDOWN you could ask good shooters how they do it in your next interviews, would be interesting

[@tatlertom3090]

many pros are very happy using middle finger. this is garbage that one has to use index finger. use what works. see which it comes off naturally - -when you snap your wrist, which finger is lowest? that's the one, i think. this "do it my way" garbage is mainly just garbage there's $$$ in coaching "your way," i guess....but it will hurt you, maybe.

[@JaySee5]

It would be great if you could interview Bob Thate.

[@bballbreakdown]

I don't know who that is..???

[@JaySee5]

The Clippers shooting coach responsible for Griffin's improved shot and also Jason Kidd's improved shot in the past.

[@bballbreakdown]

Oh! I think I'll be able to do that at some point...

[@JaySee5]

Nathaniel Knight I'd still call it ugly and stiff, but it goes in now.

[@AznpersuAzn12]

I find his reasoning for not dipping the ball to be a bit strange. First off, he acknowledges the fact that many to most NBA players dip the ball. He also says the he doesn't change a NBA player's shooting form, rather he adjusts their form. So it would seem that if a player dipped, he wouldn't change it but he goes on to equate dipping the ball as a bad habit. It just seems like he stating some conflicting ideas.....

[@Dj-ux8qg]

Lol he thought you meant off the dribble when you said 1-2 or hop

[@38IagoKoerich38]

Coach nick, i discovered your channel while watching pro shot shooting mechanics and i love your material and opinions but for me its hard to tell my stone age mechanics coach and its tuff i showed him michael jordans jumper and he said it didn't had a turn... Quite ignorant (im from brazil)

[@bballbreakdown]

Really? He watched Michael Jordan shoot and couldn't see he turned??

[@38IagoKoerich38]

Yeah, it was really funny and bad, if you know what i mean

[@38IagoKoerich38]

He said it was because it was on mid air so his feet turned?????????????

[@38IagoKoerich38]

BBALLBREAKDOWN then i remebered that thing "you dont see what you dont want to see"

[@38IagoKoerich38]

BBALLBREAKDOWN he said he turned because he was in mid air so his feet turned?????????? and i started laughing

[@rain__man]

Dave might be an all time great, but he is still in the fog. I would like to see him shoot in the game. I guarantee he dips and turns, just like all of us in the heat of the game because it's a natural motion. He basically is a rep coach, not a mechanics coach. Coach Hoover's Pro Shot system works almost instantly and requires less reps, I know because that's my experience with it and when I look at great shooters, they use his principles. I don't know a great shooter who doesn't use at least 2 components of pro shot system.

[@squishee7938]

There you have it. The 1-2 is better than the hop. Suck it Coach! Just kidding

[@tygeezy]

I hate that one handed shooting drill. You aren't ever going to shoot the ball like that; and you can't dip like that, so it isn't like it helps you with your mechanics. I think there is a place for the 1-2, like if you are moving away from the basketball while catching a pass; I find it hard to get good balance when hopping in this situation. Coming towards the basketball with a catch should always be a hop as well as any shot off the dribble. You also can't really hop if you are in a jab step isolation type situation either.

[@bballbreakdown]

Ha, I'd say it's the opposite. If you're flaring away from the ball, much easier to catch off the Hop...

[@tygeezy]

For me it is easier coming towards the ball. I'm weird though and like to shoot off the dribble using my dominant hands, so maybe that is why.

[@MarionDoesIt24]

Lmao " a quarterback doesn't follow the flight of the basketball"

[@GerardoTostado]

Like I said a little while ago, there are more options with the 1,2 step. I guess it needs to come from him for coach to believe...

[@GerardoTostado]

Saying I made no sense, come on coach

[@bballbreakdown]

If the only thing you're getting is a step back, then I just shrug. Catching on hop gives u more options than 1-2

[@GerardoTostado]

BBALLBREAKDOWN But it is not. . .

[@ReCharredSigh]

if you hop into a catch, your pivot foot is undecided, and you can choose either pivot foot; 1-2ing into a catch means you establish your pivot foot. taking that into account, how does a 1-2 have more options than a hop?

[@GerardoTostado]

ReCharredSigh How about off the dribble now

[@CoachJayMalloy]

Dave Hopla doesn't shoot the way he teaches. If you watch the video of him breaking the 3 pt record in Portugal you will see his right foot pointed at the corner of the court (not the rim) you will also see him dip (slightly) every time he catches a pass. There are two ways of looking at shooting - 1) Shoot the right way and teach another. 2) Shoot the right way and teach it. Dave Hopla (and most coaches) do #1. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmGUd4l5qtFnm5I

[@tatlertom3090]

totally true. not to mention, so many coaches tell you to do different things. it's really one of the most garbage areas of coaching. each individual shooter needs his own style. elbow in, we all agree.

[@deandrepage1048]

Old-school simple fundamentals without the fancy terms are always best. The basket is still the same as it has been for the last 40 years. Every NBA players thinks he's a 3pt shooter today so mechanics aren't that important today. Mid-range shooting is where fundamentals are crucial, & takes more time to be proficient. 3pt shots are a crapshoot, but you only have to make 35%.

[@bballbreakdown]

Disagree completely. Mechanics are even more crucial from 24' away

[@deandrepage1048]

I have coached kids that can fire up 3-pointers like running water but are afraid to shoot mid-range jumpers. Kids shoot 3s because defense doesn't extend that far. Most old school hate this 3-pointer revolution. The farther out you shoot, you start to lose your mechanics. Simple logic.

[@basketballcoachbob]

👍🏀

[@drunk1kangaroo]

*Dave Onetwola

[@christopherhortman6610]

dude said it him self 99% of nba players dip... soooooooooooo??

[@chrisdavis4168]

Nah he tought me ten toes toward basket

[@azteccarts3817]

chris davis do u know who mike halloran is?

[@crank23that23]

Sounds like a lot of hoopla to make over a little Krabby Patty, right? Haha-WRONG

[@khaichuanteo1797]

he is in the fog

[@MrMontetowe]

99 percent of the best players in the world dip on the catch, yet just think how good they would all be if they shot it where they caught it? Not sure that makes sense... Could it be the dip is part of the reason they are there?

[@bballbreakdown]

Great point.

[@jasonjasonson9154]

or could it be they are great shooters in spite of this. the world may never know..

[@jedipudu]

I've never seen this guy shoot in a game though. It's all just stationary set shots.

[@jasonjasonson9154]

have you ever seen coach nick shoot period?

[@napolianmyhand4642]

This dude is a boo boo shooting coach for real!!

[@sleepywolf82]

Oh man almost everything hopla believes in goes against everything bballbreakdown believes in. Sway, hop, dip etc. No wonder one is an NBA shot coach and the other is a KZbin coach

[@bullit199]

This interview was cringe-worthy to me. So difficult to hear a shooting expert who has mastered "his way" of shooting but doesn't really believe in the dip, the turn, the sweep and sway because he has simply perfected his own shoot with millions upon millions of reps. Hopla doesn't recognize that in game shooting is what is most important. The hop is faster. Shooters with a dip like Ray Allen and Jeremy Lin have some of the fastest shots in the league.

[@jasonjasonson9154]

that's the point. perfecting your own shot. I think even Coach Nick knows that he isn't right about everything. And call me crazy but I think an NBA shooting coach MIGHT know a little more about shooting than you, me, or coach nick.

[@jasonjasonson9154]

steph curry and james harden are 1,2 shooters. so theres your counter.

[@danielmerran2552]

And this is why the knicks are the WORST shooting team

[@tatlertom3090]

he's wrong on the finger - some use middle finger, some use index finger, some both. it's garbage to say do it one way. pure garbage - and he knows that many pros don't use two fingers. many great shooters go off middle finger. a lie.

[@owenzhang2106]

Haha this guy lives deep deep in the fog if you know what i mean

[@jeffharris166]

Please stop with this "Pro Shot System" crap. Guys Paul Hoover, the inventor of this system gathered research from Dave Hopla and Ed Palubinskas. He has created a marketing gimmick. Don't buy into this nonsense. If you have to worry about finger, turn, dip, sweep, sway you'll never make a shot or get it off. The Pros shoot like Dave.

[@duk3335]

yep😊

[@NielsTari]

So hes the reason the knicks are doing so bad😂😂

[@jasonjasonson9154]

he coached the knicks 2 years ago as well when they were one of the best shooting teams in the NBA

[@rayrocks1224]

This is why the Knicks shoot so bad

[@JeffreySushi]

well i mean he was the shooting coach for the '12-'13 knicks, which specialized in the 3 ball.