FREE THROW
SHOOTING EXAMS
Dec.
7, 2005
Just like Morehead State University, this is the last week of
regular classes at the Kyle Macy Free Throw Shooting Academy.
Next week is finals week! However, professors sometime don't
require students to take a final if they have earned a high
grade point average up to that point. I think I will do the
same. I have decided to not have a Final Exam next week.
Instead, I am awarding passing grades to the team for their
improvement at the Free Throw line. In our game last Saturday,
we went 14-16 for 87.5 percent! No it is not perfect, but if you
remember, in an exhibition game earlier this year we shot 4-21,
or 19 percent. The academy has accomplished its goal. Now the
team knows they can do it and must accept the responsibility to
maintain this improvement throughout the rest of the year. It
just shows that if a player knows the proper form, develops a
shot routine, practices, gains confidence, and concentrates, he
can become a good free throw shooter. So enough talk for now
about free throws. Happy Holidays!
A DEMANDING
SCHEDULE
Nov.
29, 2005
Loss by 26 and 34, and Free Throws seem to be the least of our
team's concerns. 5 for 10 at Dayton and 1 for 4 at Texas Tech.
Looking at those numbers tells the story that either a) we
didn't go to the basket strong enough or b) there is a reason
teams pay money to have you come to there place to play. Don't
get me wrong, officiating was not what beat us. Better teams
did, but 4 free throws for the entire game and NONE in the first
half? Despite this, guarantee games can be really helpful to a
young team like ours, and that is how we approached it. That is
also why when you look at who we have played out of conference
over the past eight years, it is a who's who of college
basketball powerhouse programs. Plus sometimes there are other
benefits too. This year I got to visit with Stew Robinson, a
former assistant of mine now on the TX Tech staff, and Head
Coach Bob Knight. I had the good fortune of playing for Coach
Knight in the 1979 Pan American games and have always followed
his success. It was great to see both of them!
On the court, weaknesses really stand out against a more
talented team. For us, what glared was our lack of offensive
execution, lack of strength, and playing as individuals not as a
team. All things that can be somewhat expected by a young team
early in the season and fortunately, all things that can be
improved! Off the court, the players were exposed to travel
delays due to the holiday season and inclement weather. We even
missed a connection and had to spend an extra night "out on the
road". I guess it is safe to say we had more then enough
opportunities to learn from? Our challenge now is to try and
develop these young players quickly and not allow them to lose
their confidence while playing this demanding early schedule.
But then again, lack of confidence doesn't seem to be a problem
with today's youth! Go Eagles.
FREE THROW
EXAM 1
Nov.
20, 2005
The first round of exams at the KM Free Throw Shooting Academy
were held this past Friday, the 18th, as the Morehead State
Eagles hosted Kentucky Christian University. It depends if you
see the glass as half full or half empty to explain the results.
Half full and the Eagles upped there FT% from 19 percent to 66.7
percent (76.9 in the first half), half empty and that is still
below the team goal. Yes, it is only the first exam and like
most freshman, it takes a while to understand college, so
overall, while the grade is below average, it was an
improvement! We just can't let up and stop attending class. Two
tough road games at Dayton and Texas Tech this week means the
exams are only getting harder. Repeat after me, B-E-E-F. B
equals balance and bend your knees to get power from your legs,
E stands for elbow under the ball, the second E stands for eyes
on the target, and F means follow through at the basket. That's
all for today class!
NEW ADDITION
Nov.
16, 2005
John Summers, a 6-8, 205 pound forward from Gahanna (Ohio)
Lincoln High School has signed a national letter-of-intent to
play basketball for the Morehead State University Eagles.
Summers, who plays for Coach Tony Staib at Gahanna Lincoln,
averaged 10 points and 7 rebounds as a junior. He hit 56 percent
from the field and earned honorable mention All-Ohio Capital
Conference honors. Summers helped lead his high school team to a
conference championship in 2004-05 and to a district finals in
2003-04.
The addition of John Summers to our program will give us great
flexibility. His size allows him to play inside, yet he is also
very capable of stepping outside and knocking down the three
pointer. John comes from a successful high school program, and
we have very high expectations for him..
FREE THROW
SHOOTING
Nov.
11, 2005
The Morehead State basketball program has taken great pride in
being one of the top free throw shooting teams in the country.
In the past eight years Morehead has always been ranked in the
upper echelon.
In fact, in 2001-2002, the Morehead State team was the
statistical national champion in team free throw shooting
percentage! We work a lot on our free throw shooting and have
been fortunate enough to also get the right people to the line.
And, while most coaches like to take credit for their team's
free throw shooting success, most coaches are normally a little
hesitant to change a players shooting form after they have
reached the college level of their basketball career. The
players are usually hesitant too. However, that won't be the
case this season at Morehead State! Minds are open and "changes
are a coming!"
Someone once said that kids grow up to be just like their
parents.
I don't know if it was the same person, but it was also said
that teams are a direct reflection of their coach. If that is
the case, (and my team is my family), then this season my team
must have either been adopted or the mirror was cracked. What am
I talking about, well, in our second exhibition game of the
season, my team/ family shot a whooping 4 for 21 from the free
throw line. Yes, I said 4-21!!! 19 percent. That is coming off
our first exhibition game in which we shot a smooth 8 for 18. 44
percent. Back in "the day," I personally could have shot better
then that with a blindfold on, and I am pretty sure I could
still do that with my eyes closed even now! So, starting today,
I am enrolling the entire team into a new schedule of classes at
the Coach Macy Free Throw Shooting Academy. Everyone knows how
changing your academic major in college can sometimes bring new
life and enthusiasm into your world. I only hope the Shooting
Academy can do the same for the team? At this point, what do we
have too lose?
You are probably saying, come on coach, it is only two
exhibition games. Your right, but like everything else, it is
important to create good habits, not bad ones. 12 for 39 is a
bad habit. How will we create good habits? To begin with, I will
repeat the same procedure I do every year the first day of
individual workouts. I video record each player individually
shooting. We did it this year too, but obviously there must have
been a problem with the video machine. I will then point out the
lack of success they are having with their current form.
Then, I will demonstrate the correct form that, from this point
on, they will be using. I will also create a routine for each
player to follow every time they attempt a free throw. Why a
routine, you ask? Well, a routine aids in the development of
concentration and relaxation. A shooter should be relaxed and
concentrating on the one goal he or she has every time they step
to the line. Make the free throw. A routine that is practiced
successfully builds confidence. Notice I said, that confidence
is built through successful practice. It may take some time to
find the routine you are most comfortable and successful with,
but once you find it stay with it. Each time you change, you are
eroding your confidence level. Personally, I believe free throws
are 85 to 90 percent mental concentration. Knowing what you are
going to do every time, and almost putting yourself in a trance
like state that blocks out all negative thoughts or
surroundings. The other 10 to 15 percent is then executing the
proper form that you should be practicing with every shot.
Follow our progress this year to see if the team's FTPA (Free
Throw Percentage Average, not GPA) increases after this change
in curriculum. Of course, it can't get much worse! 4 out of
21!!! It's a long way to the dean's list, but that is our goal!
NEW MARKS
Nov.
8, 2005
Many of the most popular television shows these days seems to be
about getting makeovers. Home Edition, Three Wishes, not to
mention all the plastic surgery makeovers. Well, Morehead State
Athletic Department has also recently undergone a cosmetic
makeover. Yes, all Morehead State University athletic teams are
now playing under a new mark. What was fondly referred to as
Beaker has been retired for a new updated Eagle head. Those in
favor, like to think it is a more intense Eagle ready to soar
and claw its way to victory. Those opposed like to refer to him
as Evil Eagle. I guess I am in favor of the new mark, although
it is not a real big deal to me. I mean I still don't understand
the problem with teams being called Warriors, Braves, and the
like. To be put in a Mascot position seems to me to be one of
idealizing, a point of pride and respect, not downgrading and
disrespect? So my team has gone more towards the secondary mark,
an M. You decide. By the way, who came up with the term
politically correct when describing these mascots, the same
person that wants to take competition out of schools? Give me
dodge ball any day!
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