There are days when something significant happens and it’s either exciting and happy news, or devastating news. However, sometimes, it’s both. A recent announcement is news that conjures those mixed emotions. Yao Ming has announced he is retiring from the Houston Rockets. He made the announcement from his homeland, China, but the impact reaches far across the oceans and continents touching the basketball world globally. Dennis Passa, AP sports writer, summed up the contributions to the sport made by Yao as well as the personal achievements and tribulations due to injuries over the last couple of years in an article. At 7-foot-6-inches, Yao Ming grabbed attention everywhere… Read more »

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You’re at the free throw line, your body is lined up, and you’re flexed and focused on your Goalrilla Basketball Goal. It’s time to shoot that ball and put a point on the scoreboard. Follow through with the release shooting position and you’ll soon be a free throw scoring machine! Free Throw Shooting Fundamentals: Part 3 There are three phases of shooting free throws: 1.       The Shot Prep Position 2.       The Cocked and Flexed Shooting Position 3.       The Release Shooting Position Each phase of shooting requires the proper technique including the position of key body components: Footwork Lower body Upper… Read more »

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Shooting the basketball (and more importantly, scoring!) requires consistency. It’s true for all types of basketball shots, and especially true for free throw shooting. Putting the fundamentals in motion time after time will boost your scoring and make you a player to watch. The Basketball Goal Store wants you to be the best player you can be. That’s why we created this blog, so you can find – and use to your advantage – these and other tips that can help you become a prime time player. Subscribe to this blog to make sure you don’t miss a thing. Then,… Read more »

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Do you know what blinders are? They are flaps put on horses so they don’t get startled by things around them so they keep moving forward. Blinders keep you from seeing everything that’s going on around you. Just for fun – make yourself some blinders: You can get two file folders and hold one on ech side of your head. (Or you can get a box big enough to fit your head in and cut out the top and a notch in one side so it will sit on your shoulders and you look out the open top. The back… Read more »

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Free throw shooting always takes place from the same place on the basketball court (and without a defender challenging your shot). Because of this, free throws can be your big chance to put points on the scoreboard. All you need to do is master the fundamentals, tune out distractions, take careful aim at your Goalrilla Basketball Goal, and follow through. As you practice your free throw shooting, refer often to this Basketball Goal Store blog (or better yet, subscribe!) so you can be among the first to master these and other basketball skills. Free Throw Shooting Fundamentals: Part 1 There… Read more »

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Basketball backboards are not created equal – and the disparity is important when choosing one for your family. 1. Get a strong frame Even though some basketball goals may have the desirable ½-inch glass backboard, it is supported sandwiched in an aluminum frame. Aluminum is weak with a lot of flex in it. Therefore, rebound characteristics during play are inconsistent over the surface of the backboard. Three (3) Goalrilla Basketball Goal systems have a ½-inch glass backboard that is fully supported by a welded tube steel frame. Steel is strong and has little flex in it. The welded wide span… Read more »

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Well the 2011 NBA championship has been decided – and I would think that Mike Bibby is one really disappointed guy. As you might recall, Bibby gave up a $6.2 million dollar paycheck to play for free agent wages with the Miami Heat. General consensus was that this player was on the backside of his career and wanted to “win the big one.” Well, sometimes you take a chance and it works out just how you hope it would. Other times, well, not so much – like for Bibby and the Heat this year. It really isn’t worth the chance… Read more »

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“How should I know? You didn’t tell me!” If you have children, a spouse, or any people around you, you know how effective communication gets things done or greases the wheel to get along!! Without communication, people assume that someone else will do something and then no one does it. Like when parents don’t communicate and no one goes to pick up Johnny from practice. It happens when the garden doesn’t get watered or the car isn’t gassed up. The same is true on the basketball court. It’s just another way the game of basketball can be a place to… Read more »

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Playing basketball takes a lot of energy and focused thought. You want to contain the opposition in a way where you conserve energy and prevent them from moving the ball forward and scoring. Mastering the defensive slide means controlled movement of the feet and arms and resisting the impulse to gallop. Galloping happens when players stand upright and click the feet together when they move. A good way to stay in check is to watch that your head stays in a level plane. If you find your head bobbing up and down, refocus on staying down in your defensive stance… Read more »

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Shooting baskets and scoring points is a thrill – But a winning record requires a good defense, too. And a good defense begins with the most important aspect of playing defense – a proper defensive stance. That being said, a good fundamental defensive stance position does not take into account a player’s position on the floor, ball position on the floor or one-on-one defensive movement required by the player. That takes engaging the brain and knowledge of the game and – you’ve heard it before: P-R-A-C-T-I-C-E!!! Practicing is easy when you have a Goalrilla Basketball Goal system at home. With… Read more »

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It takes two, baby — Really, it takes more than two on the basketball court, but it’s the idea that a team is more than one player and a good team moves the ball between players to win games – and that requires passing. Developing a strong, fundamentally sound stationary two-handed chest pass is a key building block to moving the basketball from one player to another – and puts the team into teamwork. Teamwork on the court means players are familiar with how each other play and they work together to move the ball and score. That familiarity comes… Read more »

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It’s getting close to THAT time of year – you know – summer – when the kids are out of school. Are you ready for it?? Are you looking forward to: –          I’m boooorrrrrreeeeed. There’s nothing to do….  (week 2) –          Continual biinggg bonng Clunk!! of games and game systems on the TV  (weeks 3 – 4) –          I wanna —- (go to) — (rent) — (watch) — (get) — (buy) — you fill in the blank (weeks 5 – 7) The answer from most parents out there is, “No. I’m not ready. I thought this year might be different.”… Read more »

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Having spent several decades on this earth (OK, a couple more than just several), I have discovered that there is more than one “clumsy age” in life. Didn’t like it the first time in those pubescent years (remember tripping over your own feet in class??) and I certainly don’t like it now when it’s mis-judging the stairs or doorframes because of bifocals or expanded hips. Use basketball to improve balance and coordination I’ve heard that as humans age, their balance and coordination suffers. I’ve also heard that exercise helps – and basketball is one sport that can really benefit the… Read more »

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It’s really hard to comprehend the number 11.109 million. Imagine that many marbles – or hot dogs! No matter how you look at it – that’s a big number! It’s a number that set a record – it’s the number of people who watched the Eastern conference finals game between the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat on May 15. (It beat out the record 10.829 million viewers who watched Michael Jordan’s last NBA All-Star Game in 2003.) The point is, basketball is popular – there’s no denying that and if you want a sport that will keep you in… Read more »

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In the heat of a game the adrenalin and concentration is intense – so are the nerves – especially when it comes to shooting and making baskets and points! Many great players have said that there are times when the body just knows what to do and does it. But to get to that point, well, you know the p-word – practice. You do the One Minute Mid-Range Shooting Challenge with the intensity of game play, so the pressure is there – it’s just that the consequences aren’t as dire – except to your own standards (which may be just… Read more »

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Mastering the fundamentals of perimeter shooting takes time – and practice. And, once a player has developed good skills, there is still work to be done. Developing Conditioning Footwork Hand and eye coordination Catch and pivot Shooting fundamental execution and Perimeter shooting proficiency It takes more time, effort and practice. If you are an intermediate to advanced level player, try this drill that will challenge you and help you become more proficient on the basketball court – and valuable to your team. It’s great because you can practice on your own – even on your Goalrilla Basketball Goal home court!… Read more »

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The actual shooting is the part every kid wants to jump right to – forget where the rest of your body is positioned, let’s get the shot!!! And every coach knows that’s just not going to get the ball through the hoop – no matter where you are on the court. Here at the The Basketball Goal Store we know that too. Which is why, in addition to offering the premier, in-ground Goalrilla Basketball Goal equipment you need to use, our blog is your resource to find step-by-step instructions, tips and drills – and demonstration videos – to learn the… Read more »

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In my last post, I talked about the fundamentals of the Cocked and Flexed Shooting Position in perimeter shooting. All the steps were there – and the demonstration video, too. The last thing I talked about was that one smooth rhythmic motion and that’s what we need to talk more about. You really need to prefect one more thing: it’s called Swing and Sit. It’s the rhythm that is essential to develop and when you combine that with the fundamentals, it’s like magic … Swing and Sit It’s one fluid motion. Once you feel the rhythm, you’ll be able to… Read more »

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Fundamentals – fundamentals – fundamentals. You’re probably tired of hearing it, but it’s true: Improve form and technique with good fundamentals and your game will improve. You’ll make more baskets and be a basketball scorer rather than just a shooter. (There is a difference, you know.) It’s precise skill that turns shooting into points. The Basketball Goal Store is where you’ll find the premier, in-ground Goalrilla Basketball Goal equipment you need to use. The Basketball Goal Store blog is your resource to find step-by-step instructions, tips and drills – and demonstration videos – to learn the fundamentals to make you… Read more »

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If you want to be a scorer, concentrate on your form. When the fundamentals come automatically, your performance will improve. Not only does the Basketball Goal Store offer premier Goalrilla Basketball Goal systems, they’re also interested in helping players learn and practice fundamental skills. Check back often (or subscribe to our blog!) where you’ll find resources to help you learn correct form with step-by-step instructions, tips and drills – and videos that show you what we’re talking about. Our series will also provide drills to practice at home on your own Goalrilla Basketball Goal home court, (available at great prices… Read more »

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