That Coaching Suggestion Just Became A Requirement.
Every player has heard their coach yelling at them to suggest they get a little more air under their jump shot to increase its chances of nestling in the bottom of the net. For those players who made the jump from high school to the college ranks have already adjusted to a deeper three point arc during their time as a student athlete in the NCAA.
The good news is they all have experienced the adjustments needed to extend their range to further downtown. But that’s the end of the line for the good news express. Those willing and able to make the quantum leap to the pros will be facing the same adjustment all over again. Only this time, the jump is further and the arc is even deeper than before to separate the men from the boys and the women from the girls.
The international FIBA 3 point arc is a whopping 50 centimeters deeper at the point and wing spots, or 19.6 inches in US terms. Without delving into the metric changes Americans abroad will have to master, the impact of the arc on their game is immense. “Shooting” Guards who shot 40% in college are now struggling to live up to their positional title. A daunting prospect.
Luckily, their transition is eased somewhat with the corners of the International line flattening out below the foul line. This allows the shorter corners of the arc to extend only 35cm (13.7’’) further out, offering a ray of hope to would be rookies. For those smart enough to learn to play out of the corners more, this adjustment can give life to any ailing shooting percentages.
Yet the adjustments don’t stop there. Players who think the arc’s impact stops at the offensive end are usually in for a rude awakening at the other end of the court. Defensively it offers up a mirror image of adjustments that have transformed outwardly rapid lateral movers into moderately plodding defenders who struggle to cover that extra 1.6 feet of hardwood.
When compared to High School Courts, Collegiate and International offenses are spaced to the same arc. Now close outs are almost two feet longer on rotations and become a stumbling block many rookies and freshman players fail to consider during their transitional summer from high school to college hoops and then into the pro game. All Conference defenders often cross state lines and oceans only to arrive as marginal defenders.
Those who are one step ahead of the game will have predicted a fast break back to the other end, to cover the extra dribble now needed when attacking the hoop from the perimeter. Those High School speedy slashers and most dynamic drivers of the ball are now literally a step behind their collegiate counterparts. Meaning that shot blocker is a step closer to a rejection.
One small difference in court markings effective every aspect on both ends of the floor. For those smug rim protectors considering patrolling the paint, most collegiate offenses now mirror those of the international game with four or five out systems that require you to venture the same distance further to close out to three point shooting centers and hedge on ball screens.
It’s just another reason why college is where the big boys and girls play, kids. And why so few players successfully make the transition from high school to college and then onto pro ball. It’s also exactly the reason Ball Smarter Camps is on the side of the successful and prepared, game ready freshman.
There’s a reason why we work with those success stories by using the latter letter of STEM to figure out high school shooting percentages and project them to the deeper collegiate three point arc. Also, using the former letter of STEM to calculate acceleration and deceleration of defenders when closing out. Those who ball smarter at camp, ball smarter during the next season. Join the Sport and STEM revolution at a Ball Smarter camp near you this spring and summer.