Caitlin Thumbs It. You Shouldn't.
You don't have the time - or even perhaps the discipline - to replicate her shot.
She’s the greatest female shooting guard in NCAA history. Her shooting form is not one you’d teach, though.
There are too many moving parts, too many things that could go wrong.
For starters, her shot begins somewhat on the left side of her face. This triggers the use of her balance hand to help with the shot.
Shooters know we only need one hand to shoot it; the balance hand is there for a minimal but critical role. It’s the bouncer at the club; it makes sure the party is smooth, but it doesn’t come through the door.
Adding motion decreases accuracy. Ask pitchers and golfers, they’ll tell you the same. Keep it simple and master it.
Clark is a freak, as were Ray Allen, Larry Bird and Reggie Miller, to name a few.
They had two exceptional features in their lives: time and discipline. The latter led to the former.
They put so much time in - skipping social events, birthdays, sleep, normal lifestyles - in order to become great. They shot the ball so many times the technically wrong way that they overcame their mechanical errors.
Miller clasped his hands. Bird shot two-handed. Ray Allen, like Caitlin, thumbed it.
Be realistic about what you can do, but also about what you’re willing to do.
Stick to right angles, bent legs, balanced weight, long follow-throughs and consistent landings.
Even those take time and discipline!