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The PureShooter TM Certification and Evaluation session provides an opportunity for athletes to measure their shooting proficiency in a controlled yet challenging environment.  Through use of the PureShooter TM game, created by LoneStar Basketball Academy, the athlete's shooting accuracy is measured and certified for comparative analysis against all other shooters or against previous performances.  The game provides a standard, highly-structured, competitive, free-throw and perimeter shooting challenge that requires participants to repetitively demonstrate consistent shooting (above 50% accuracy) in order to break the barrier to advanced scoring.  Bonus points are awarded in each shooting frame according to how high of a make percentage (above 50%) can be achieved. No bonus points are awarded for make percentages of 50% or below.  Click here to see some advanced scoring examples.

All shots are uncontested, wide-open shots from five spots on the floor.  Since there is no defense, there is no variable between one shooter and another...other than pure shooting mechanics.  In this way, PureShooter TM scores become meaningful in comparing shooting proficiency among participants.  Individual shooting scores are tabulated and tracked court-side on a laptop computer and stored for subsequent evaluation.  Proficiency development and progress, as indicated by personal high score and scoring averages (i.e., "PureShooter average", FT average, 2-point average and 3-point average) are also tabulated.  

Proficiency accomplishment goals are defined for advanced scoring -- they are:  the 100 club, the 125 club, the 150 club, the 175 club, and the 200 club .  These milestones are extremely challanging, but can be accomplished through dedicated effort and concentration.  The PureShooter Highs section on the LBA website recognizes all those individuals who have achieved one of these milestones and provides a record of the highest scores to date.  

This skill is sometimes referred to as "clutch" shooting and is what defines a great shooter...making the winning free throw when the game is on the line...knocking down the "wide-open" three...being a high-percentage shooter.  It requires sound shooting mechanics, such as: proper footwork; a balanced stable base; precise and proper hand-to-ball positioning; effective leg-force transfer; constant and fully extended release; strong and consistent follow-through; proper body and joint alignment; correct angle of release and high arch.  It requires mental, as well as, physical training, and is very dependent on concentration, confidence and relaxation.

Some will argue that spot-up shooting is not representative of game conditions (i.e, defensive pressure, running, pivoting, fatigue, time constraints, etc).  That is true for the most part.  However, if a player can not make wide-open, uncontested, spot-up shots then it is not likely they will be able to make them when defensive pressure is added in addition to the many other game variables.  Spot-up shooting should be the first skill mastered.  Then, just as important (if not more so), will be the mastering of shooting game shots at game speed under game-like conditions.  However, you have to walk before you can run.

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