The Greatest Basketball Shooting Myth | THE GAP !!!

[@ClassicGil]

By using your palm you have a natural tendency to push the ball upward thereby creating a better arc in deeper range. The 90s era focused mainly on mid-range & fadeaway so you see a lot of strong shooter using the finger as a main power source instead of using their palms. E.g. Jordan or Kawhi. The motion therefore is naturally going to be from backward to forward instead of from downward to upward.

[@AdamHackett15]

GREAT example!

[@DanieltimileyinOladipupo]

😂

[@derrickwilliams5407]

I love how Micah Lancaster and Bryce Stanhope teach shooting I really appreciate this information their teaching method is very effective and understandable to me. I like it a lot.

[@ernestmfakudze]

Thanks so much for this! What an eye opener! Another myth that so many people have taught me about shooting is that I should always tuck my elbow in when shooting. For many years I was really bad at shooting because I always missed left. Until recently when I was doing some research on shooting and I saw an NBA coach teaching one of his players how to shoot. First he told the player to tuck his elbow in and when he tried to shoot he missed left. The coach was quick to notice that when he tucked his elbow in then his hand was tilted to the left...which is where the ball went when he shot. The coach then told him to take his elbow out a bit and when he did that his hand was pointing straight to the basket. I immediately went to the court and tried it and I was able to shoot better instantly. I was blown away. The people who had always taught me to tuck my elbow in did not observe me and realise that I had no flexible wrist action so they blindly taught me what they had been taught too. Sad!

[@adrianadams2157]

That's damn interesting, because due to an elbow injury I had to adjust my shooting form lately. One of the adjustments I actually made was that I tossed the shooting gap and it felt way more comfortable and powerful. So this video is a theoretical confirmation of my practical experience.

[@ImPossibleTraining]

Absolutely. A lot of truth to finding comfort within reason

[@jonathanchen3261]

great video. this is my first time seeing a video expose the truth like this. i been shooting with gap for years and even injured my wrist doing so. now i know the reason!

[@cmack17]

Yep. Curry does almost nothing he advises when talking about shooting.

[@ampstudios]

I think because everything he does is just off reaction and not thinking about, it just happens. Film is a great way to break down our shots, heck the shot might be funky, but it works.

[@cmack17]

@@ampstudios No. There is also video available of Curry training. He does almost nothing he says you should do. He is simply regurgitating the things he was told as a kid (like BEEF for example).

[@michaelschmidt6548]

It's like a golf swing. Feel isnt real!

[@samiulhaque5617]

@@cmack17 it’s more like those were the fundamentals he used to learn and then as he became an expert he’s able to react to any situation differently

[@cmack17]

@@samiulhaque5617 No. "Reacting to [game] situations" is not relevant. There is plenty of video of Curry shooting stand still practice shots. He does almost nothing that he advises.

[@slpdx]

Best breakdown of this topic I've seen yet.

[@kadeemnoray4837]

The real takeaway here seems to be that there is a power-control tradeoff associated with putting the ball more on the palm (greater power) vs. putting the ball more on the fingers (more control). There may be an optimal balance between the two, but perhaps the best thing is to use the right shooting mechanics in the right context. Maybe you can get away with less power shooting mid to close range while you should tilt more toward power when you shoot from deep? Thoughts?

[@abuDA-bt6ei]

Aint it the same for dribbling? People always say dribble with your finger tips or finger pads but dribbling with only the finger tips is pretty impossible and even looking at a player dribbling its hard to tell where the ball is touching on his hand.

[@ImPossibleTraining]

yes. the same myths exist in ball handling also

[@zooksmz]

Good stuff Micah, thanks a bunch for the tip!

[@rexiri1032]

I love the explanation. It helps out a lot because I think the hand should be in a relaxed but active state while in the shooting position. Where my mind does not have to think about forcing the gap in my shooting hand.

[@adifaliff5726]

100% agree. Love the explanation. Really hard to explain period! But this video did! I literally saw repeatedly on derrick rose(prime) shot. And he just did as what this video said. Just use your full area of your to secure the ball and the gap will just follow. This small and detail explation just increase your % in shooting.👍👍👍

[@JTCbasketball]

Tuff 11mins💯💯💯💯

[@ImPossibleTraining]

JTC basketball yessir!

[@ampstudios]

what comes to mind is a shot putter, when they releasing the shot, they are pushing it, and basically in basketball you are pushing the basketball one handed, your hand on the side is the guide hand, and you're pushing the ball. I actually was never taught about the gap, I just knew the way I was shooting, I was makings short and distance shots.

[@carterwthaz5086]

That’s crazy thanks I didn’t know that

[@chrisa1155]

A lot (not all) of those players do actually have a gap. But the angle in which the picture was taken makes it appear as though they’re palming it.

[@ImPossibleTraining]

Chris Austin this isn’t true unless you’re defining gap differently then they do. Are you referring to seeing shadows?

[@chrisa1155]

Micah Lancaster Basketball - IPTV Yes, Im referring to the subtle shadows plus the width of the fingers. Specially Ray Allen, Larry Bird, Reggie Miller, and Mark Price I believe show pretty clearly that the ball is raised up off their palm. Obviously not as much a Peja, but still on the fingertips + finger pads.

[@ImPossibleTraining]

Chris Austin We went over this in the video. Our hands aren’t flat and the ball is round. It would be impossible to truly have your palm on the ball when your hand is wrapped around it. There will inevitably he shadows and natural “space” there. The issue is that people are teaching in the same manner Pete, Steph and Klay did which is an exaggerated and unnatural gap.

[@chrisa1155]

Micah Lancaster Basketball - IPTV I understood what you said in the video. Im just trying to point out that the angles in which the pictures were taken are from a lower level, typical along the baseline where the cameras are under the basket. This makes it difficult to gauge exactly how separated the ball is with the hand. I know for a fact that the players I mentioned above are finger pad shooters just from looking at a lot of photos and videos throughout the entire shot. Either way, success can be found with both methods. Special when we see Dame’s and Steph’s shot in particular, who both undoubtedly have their “full hand” on the ball.

[@KasamTK]

thanks for doing this type of video, it helps a lot!

[@giorimini]

More videos like this please! GOATS

[@chrisssmith3206]

IM ABOUT TO GIVE YOU THE BEST SCENARIO TO UNDERSTAND WHY THE PLAYERS DO USE THE GAP WHILE SHOOTING. IMAGINE YOU BALLED UP A WAD OF PAPER, YOU ARE ABOUT TO SHOOT IT INTO A ROUND TRASH CAN, YOU WOULDN'T GRAB THE WAD OF PAPER WITH ALL YOUR PALM AND FINGER WRAPPED AROUND IT AND SHOOT IT INTO THE BASKETBALL , WHY???? BECAUSE YOU LOSE YOUR ACCURACY , SO YOU USE YOUR FINGERS ONLY TO AIM FOR ACCURACY AND YOU FLICK YOUR WRIST AND SHOOT IT INTO THE CAN. ITS THE SAME FOR A BASKETBALL, YOU DONT SHOT PUT A BASKETBALL INTO THE RIM, THE GAP IS TO MAKE SURE YOU AIM AND FLICK USING YOUR FINGERS TO SHOOT. GREAT ROTATION AND GREAT DISTANCE WITH THE GAP. THE BASKETBALL CAN REST ON YOUR PALM BEFORE SHOOTING, BUT ONCE YOU START TO SHOOT, YOU SHOULD FEEL FINGERS AND THE ROLLING TO THE TIP ONLY. THIS IS WHAT THEY MEAN WHEN TALKING ABOUT THE GAP, ITS NOT A MYTH. THIS IS WHY YOU CAN SEE THE GAPS IN ALL THOSE VIDEOS BEFORE THE BALL COME FROM OUT THE SHOOTING HAND. ITS A REAL THING.

[@ImPossibleTraining]

Your ending summed it up. The “gap” happens near the end. The problem happens when it’s taught unnaturally at the beginning. “The basketball can rest on the palm at the beginning” as you stated, and the player shouldn’t necessarily force a gap at that moment. That’s the whole point!

[@ImPossibleTraining]

9:18 addresses this

[@chrisssmith3206]

@@ImPossibleTraining WHAT IM SAYING IS THE GAP IS THE FIRST THING AS THE HAND IS GOING BACK AND YOUR GOING UPWARDS BEFORE LAUNCH OF THE SHOT I THINK THE SET UP BEFORE THE SHOT THE BALL REST ON THE PALM, I THINK MOST COACHES KNOW THIS, THEY TEACH THE SHOT , NOT THE SETUP. THE PLAYERS AS WELL IS TELLING HOW THEY SHOOT AND IT WITH THE GAP BEFORE THE FLICK OF THEIR WRIST NO ONE SHOOTS WITH THIS GAP LIKE YOUR SAYING WHILE HOLDING THE BALL OFF A PASS OR TRANSITION IN THE SETUP TO SHOOT. TO PROVE THIS SHOW ME SOMEONE THAT IT SHOWING THE BALL COMING OFF A FLAT PALM ROLLING TO THE FINGERS. YOU SEE THAT GAP AT SOME POINT CAUSE THE THUMB AND BABY FINGER IS IN POSITION TO SHOOT, YOU WOULDNT SEE IT IF IT WAS ROLLING OFF A FLAT PALM , NO THUMB OR BABY FINGER WOULD EVEN BE SHOWING TOUCHING THE BALL. MEANING HOLDING IT UP AT ALL. TO MAKE THAT GAP YOU NEED THE THUMB AND PINKY

[@NetanelColish]

THANK YOU!

[@nattosanto6033]

I always found the gap gives me more range. But I will try and see if this works better in long range

[@burakakjoy]

Did you try?

[@nocapjfaanjw534]

@@burakakjoy palm is better even a 7 foot kevin durant dont have gap

[@crimewavbeats5532]

Same, I actually miss alot more, I've literally hit 5 in a row in a game with the gap and actually missed 5 -6 in row with out it.

[@derrickwilliams5407]

This is valuable information.

[@AHG1347]

Basketball Mythbusters with your host, Micah Lancaster. Can't wait to see which one he debunks next.

[@ImPossibleTraining]

Kevin Wong some really fun topics coming!!!

[@cmack17]

@@ImPossibleTraining You should discuss HOW to pick up the ball when shooting off the dribble. What position should the hands be in on the last dribble with either hand?

[@ImPossibleTraining]

Goldie yup. We have a new shooting episode coming every Saturday for a while

[@chrisssmith3206]

THE GAP HAS ALWAY BEEN FOR THE SHOOTING SO YOU KNOW HOW THE BALL IS ROLLING OR SPINNING OFF THE HAND . WHEN YOU CATCH THE BALL ITS ALWAYS IN THE PALM AND IT SIT IN THAT POCKET BEFORE THE SHOT; THE GAP ONLY COMES INTO PLAY DURING THE SHOT, NOT THE SET UP FOR THE SHOT. I GET GREAT ROTATION IF THE BASE OF MY FINGERS AND THE BALL ROLL TO THE FINGER TIPS VS HAVING THE BALL IN MY PALM AND SHOOTING FROM PALM ROLLING TO FINGERS BASE THEN TIPS. GAPS GIVE YOU FASTER FLICKS FROM THE WRIST AND YOU CAN SHOOT FURTHER WITH LESS EFFORT. I WAS A ALL PALM SHOOTER FOR A LONG TIME AND THIS GUY SHOW ME THE GAP WITH BASE FINGERS AND FINGER TIPS, I WAS ABLE TO SHOOT FURTHER WITH BETTER ACCURACY. I UNDERSTAND THE GAP THAT EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT COMPLETELY.

[@arc_green]

I’m going to try this.

[@sethdossett1304]

man what else in life are we doing that is mere tradition but incomplete

[@ImPossibleTraining]

Seth Dossett in basketball there are a ton

[@LofiSamurai11]

Question Coach, I've bee studying this topic for months now and while I noticed guys like MJ, Kobe, and Kawhi shoot with the gap, I also looked up snapshots and I see that there's times when the ball rests in their palms when they shoot. Was it just an adjustment they made on the fly at times? or just a rare occurrence?

[@ImPossibleTraining]

I'd question whether you were looking at the correct part of their shots. The end of anyone's shot will show a gap because the ball is literally rolling to the fingers.

[@LofiSamurai11]

I'll look them over again Coach. Studying never ends.

[@jinillee59]

Liked your video, but its CC is unavailable. Could you activate it?

[@KingMcElvy]

So just to clarify Micah, you literally mean put your hand on the ball? I’ve been doing it since this video came out and the feeling of it is inconsistent. Some times I curl the ball up in a since but I also feel like it’s because the ball is too close to my body which messes up my release path.

[@ImPossibleTraining]

Brandon McElvy you have to find a comfortable balance. If you have unnaturally forced the ball away from your palm, it could take some unnatural feelings to go more “natural” with your grip.

[@maurosuri]

Hi man so i see Kobe Bryant sometimes with ball on the palm early in the shot and sometimes on finertips early in the shot so what you think bout him does he have gap or no

[@Drippy_JDj]

I actually use my palm ✋

[@clutch236]

You're on the right team Sir!

[@ivicapetric8148]

But isn't natural for majority of players( relating to players in young ages ) to palm the ball as they grow up they don't have bigs hands to shoot it with the gap...

[@drewdandrea]

The example of a push up and a lineman blocking is a logical fallacy of false equivalency. When you’re doing a push up or pushing someone you’re not worried about trajectory, producing spin or guiding direction you’re only worried about one thing…producing as much force as possible. I could make the same false equivalent for throwing a baseball. Why do pitchers hold the ball in their fingers when they want to throw a fastball but hold the ball in their palms when they want to throw a change up? It’s not the same at shooting a basketball. I personally think that a shooter should worry much more about finger-pad control, touch, and rotation more than producing enough force. Ok so we saw some photos of them with their palm on the ball.. we don’t know if they made or missed those shots and we can see that there is a need for the ball to transfer to the finger pads later in the sh it anyways so if the palms were really that important it would remain in contact until release. Honestly, shooters need to stop worrying about distance and worry about making sure your mechanics and rhythm are aligned from floor to peak of your shot. Practice enough and the distance will come. You don’t need to worry about producing force through your palm when you have two legs that are stronger than your palms and triceps will ever be.

[@jeremyoakley8133]

Are you located in Indiana

[@noitallmanaz]

You are making a big deal out of something that actually isn’t. The shot rolls straight off your first two fingers and your thumb as a guide. It is all physics and engineering. Gap or no, it all comes down to how the ball rolls through the track you make.

[@ImPossibleTraining]

It becomes a big deal when players are artificially creating unnecessary gaps because they think it’s the right way. There is no reason for them to be confused by old sayings and myths

[@arc_green]

So why are they lying about the gap when they know they don’t shoot with a gap??

[@coacherb23]

Easy Ed Macauley taught the Whole pad method in the 1960’s

[@ManosIsma]

I need to have a gap yes or no??

[@clutch236]

Two answers: "NO" and "NOOOOOOO!!!" lol

[@jataka3]

It could be that the gap being taught to children might fit their small hands better? Maybe??? I dunno. I do know that when I told a child to do this, she shot the ball better.

[@ImPossibleTraining]

jasontakaki it’s not as if it’s wrong. A few great shooters have pulled it off. It’s more about understanding that the gap isn’t dominant in players AND as the player has to shoot further out, it will be more difficult to generate consistent power with it

[@puaxes4434]

MLXT - Micah Lancaster What about Trae young he’s a gap shooter and Mikey Williams.

[@edotlp4717]

imma need the @ of the girl

[@ultimatebladeryt1140]

Why you think curry so good a shooting cuz he using his palm

[@clutch236]

"BINGO!!!"

[@ryangrube1874]

How about taking pictures from a different angle? Then you will see daylight between the ball and webbing formed between the index finger and thumb. That is the gap. The "myth" as you call it, or the generational mis-teaching, is mischaracterized in this video. The correct teaching, as it has been for generations, is to keep the ball off the heel of your hand. And there's no myth about that. Otherwise, you'll be shot putting the ball. Furthermore, the lineman example is a poor example because you don't have to cause rotation on a player you are pushing. Bottom line, crowning the ball is bad and so is letting the ball touch parts of your hand too close to the wrist.

[@kevinkuang5499]

I have been having the gap for years. Cry

[@ImPossibleTraining]

kevin kuang simple adjustment and see if you like your full hand better

[@jayyyhammm]

Please don’t shoot without a gap lol you will kill your accuracy…a shot is mostly 2-3 fingers involved. Pads give you the most feel control and direction and touch when shooting