I grew up watching 90’s basketball and being in awe of Michael Jordan’s mid range game. He’d get his defender on his back and he’d make that mid range fade away jumper all day. Not too long after Kobe started using MJ’s moves to become one of the greatest to play the game.
If you look back on the history of the game most legends of the game had an amazing mid range game. Others include: Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Patrick Ewing and David Robinson to name a few.
These days NBA offences sees a lot of shots taken beyond the arc. Steph Curry being the main reason for this. The 3 point shot has changed the game in the last decade. Even centers are stepping out and nailing these shots at good percentages.
So why should young basketball players still develop a midrange game? Well let me break this down to you in 5 simple reasons.
Gives you more options
I see a lot of young basketball players sit on the arc and wait for an opportunity to get a shot up. I also see over dribbling resulting in a bad shots from distance. I guess they see Steph Curry do this and think it is sound offense.
In reality, you are just hurting your game. As a coach in the professional league in Australia I can tell you during scouting of the opposition teams. I will realise what your strengths and weaknesses are, and have my players play you accordingly. This means denial of the 3 point shot. If that happens, what do you do then?
Now let’s look at your options. Penetration? Well that’s easy to cover with split line help from some very athletic big guys. Without a pull up jump shot your options now are very limited, making your effectiveness on the game zero.
Creates opportunities for teammates
Now that you know how I’d play a shooter. Close out hard and force towards help. If you did have a good mid range shot; off one or two dribbles. After a couple of made shots it is now easier to fake a shot and get to the hoop.
After losing your defender as they left their feet, you are now (in most cases) 1on1 with a big (due to help D). More often than not, challenging a big at the hoop isn’t a great idea. Especially if you are a small guy like me.
Instead if you attack the basket and the big challenges the shot what you will have is a dump down to one of your teammates. After all, if someone helps there’s always a teammate open. Easy basket!
Note: for more ways you can better create opportunities for your teammates have a read of an article I wrote about ball rotation.
Higher percentage shot
It’s very evident that a mid range shot is a higher percentage one than a 3 point shot. Getting into position to be able to take this is a more intellectual approach to scoring. However I see players sit on the arc and not hedge in.
For example, you are sitting at the 3 point line on the base line. On penetration instead of sitting on the 3 point line, hedge in a little; between the three point line and the short corner. This reduces the length of the pass the penetrating teammate has to make. Not giving ample time for the defense to recover allowing you to get a quick shot off.
Better vision of the floor
Being a threat from the mid range allows you to create space and see the floor better. Giving you more options. Penetrate, shoot or pass.
Lets play out another game scenario to help explain. Having a good mid range game will have people close out on you. In other words tight guarding and not sitting in the passing lanes. With the passing lanes free you are able to make good passes and create for other members on your team.
Having a good mid range game will open more options for you on the floor. Not all of them will be scoring opportunities but at least it’s things that will contribute to a win.
Breaking tape of my opponents I can say that the hardest players to guard are the ones that can pull up on a dime and shoot the ball. When we do close out hard they blow by with a couple or dribbles or create for their teammates. What I have termed, the complete player.
Be that player that is hard to guard. Work on that mid range game!