LA vs. UT Arlington

[tetragrammaton]

SBC games aren't crowded

With the right crowd support, it ain't the numbers, man. It's the noise. Thankfully, these games have been interesting enough lately that the crowd numbers are increasing at the 'dome. Man, I would love to hear that same crowd at Blackham (but I can still do without those age-old bleachers).

[Boomer]

I think instead of knucking your teammates after a missed free throw, each one should _____ slap you. I think free throw percentages would go up by an average of 10% across the board. An extra point kicker has a snapper and holder to depend on, he's got 11 animals trying to either bull rush him or jump up and block it, and he's timing a move forward during a snap to plant and kick a funny shaped ball in outdoor conditions. A free throw shooter has none of these obstacles. There are 80 year old men and 12 year old girls that shoot better than 70% from the line. As a basketball player on scholarship, these cats need to get that damn ball in the basket during "free throws". Period. All of the pathetic precedents be damned!

When in graduate school we studied the results of positive and negative feedback and future performance---What if there were a way in practice to let the ball go right through the net if the FT were made but if it was off the ball would bounce into a big hoop which would activate a rope tied to the shooters testicles--the miss response would be a sudden jerk on the rope---Just a thought!!! lol this would be an example of pretty extreme negative reinforcement---Maybe an ice cream could be given for 90% production!!!! lol

[Just1More]

With the right crowd support, it ain't the numbers, man. It's the noise. Thankfully, these games have been interesting enough lately that the crowd numbers are increasing at the 'dome. Man, I would love to hear that same crowd at Blackham (but I can still do without those age-old bleachers).

Blackham was intimidating more for the crowd being right on top of the floor, than just the noise. The noise was awesome, but I think the closeness factor was the difference. I think noise works more during defensive stands and transition opportunities for juicing your guys up and getting into the other guys' heads. In reality, I think most teams shoot about the same FT wise on the road as at home.

[Just1More]

When in graduate school we studied the results of positive and negative feedback and future performance---What if there were a way in practice to let the ball go right through the net if the FT were made but if it was off the ball would bounce into a big hoop which would activate a rope tied to the shooters testicles--the miss response would be a sudden jerk on the rope---Just a thought!!! lol this would be an example of pretty extreme negative reinforcement---Maybe an ice cream could be given for 90% production!!!! lol

Both systems work. But, we've moved from negative reinforcement for mistakes, to negative for mistakes and positive for success, to only positive for success, to confusing everyone by handing out positives for everything regardless.

The middle ground is the right place. A mix of both. Of course, you have to explain the reasoning, be consistent for everyone, and don't misapply. But, you do not eliminate negative or positive reinforcement. It is also important to assist the process of improvement. You don't just demand improvement and expect it to arrive from nothing.

[zephyr]

Well... I watched Kelvin Price step up to the line with his team down 2 and no time left on the clock after getting fouled on a three point shot at the buzzer in front of a crowd of 4000+ in Blackham, and calmly sink all 3 for the win. Shooting free throws is a skill that can be learned; and like making putts is a combination of repeated muscle movements and concentration. Also like making putts, there are some people who never learn to do it consistently.

Its a skill but there is much more that goes into it. You ask any coach, they will tell you that the kids shoot the ball MUCH better in practice than in a game. They have the skills to shoot it when it doesn't count but things are different when it means something. My argument is not that we need to improve because we do, especially in the second half. However, people make light of how easy it is supposed to be but many have never had to do it in crunch time in a competitive contest.

[Just1More]

Its a skill but there is much more that goes into it. You ask any coach, they will tell you that the kids shoot the ball MUCH better in practice than in a game. They have the skills to shoot it when it doesn't count but things are different when it means something. My argument is not that we need to improve because we do, especially in the second half. However, people make light of how easy it is supposed to be but many have never had to do it in crunch time in a competitive contest.

Coach Hud said that Bret Baer sucked in practice. But, for whatever reason, he was clutch on Saturdays. I imagine some basketball players actually shoot better at the stripe in game situations.

[Boomer]

Coach Hud said that Bret Baer sucked in practice. But, for whatever reason, he was clutch on Saturdays. I imagine some basketball players actually shoot better at the stripe in game situations.

---And to think that in many test studies ---mental practice had better achievements than physical practice!!!! I think that the best form of positive reinforcement could be not tet au tet but when an athlete finds out vicariously about a positive comment!!!!

[zephyr]

Coach Hud said that Bret Baer sucked in practice. But, for whatever reason, he was clutch on Saturdays. I imagine some basketball players actually shoot better at the stripe in game situations.

I would like to know who they are. Maybe go ask Roy Williams what he thinks....

[covcaj]

Good putters, good place kickers, and good FT shooters have the ability to get in a "zone." They are a be to block out everything and put their focus only on the hole, uprights or goal. They don't hear crowd noise or anything else. There's some interesting research out of California where people who never shot with a bow and arrow before were taught through feedback to get in the "zone." Within a matter of a few days or less, they were shooting at least competitively. The secret is not just practice but learning when you are in that concentration zone and how to get there.

Coach Hud said that Bret Baer sucked in practice. But, for whatever reason, he was clutch on Saturdays. I imagine some basketball players actually shoot better at the stripe in game situations.

[VObserver]

You can add good archers, marksmen, hitters and pitchers to that list. The secret is shutting out everything not directly relevant to achieving the desired goal; then applying the learned skills to achieve it.

Jim Thorpe 'practiced' long jumping 25' while reclining in a lounge chair on the deck of the ship on the way to the 1912 Olympics. He simply blocked out everything else and visualized the mechanics of such a jump.