TESTIMONIALS

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* Working with Coach Jones is one of the best decisions I've made for my career.
My shot has gotten better from all spots on the floor. I've been able to take more shots and shoot efficiently. My field goal percentage has risen about 12% since working with Coach Jones, and my free throw percentage has increased as well.
The most important thing I've gained from working with coach is, my confidence in my shot taking has increased. I can take shots without having to think, “Am I outside of my range…was that a bad shot…should I shoot that one again?”
Working with coach was pretty easy, he breaks down parts of your shot that you wouldn't think to focus on but make a huge difference, but nonetheless it is an easy concept to grasp for any player beginner-pro. I work with Coach Jones every chance I get. Mainly in the offseason before I leave the country. I worked with him not too long ago and it has prepared me for my opportunity in Sweden, and now Puerto Rico.
If any player is looking to increase their shot and overall game I encourage them to try at least one workout with Coach Jones.

Brandon Santiago
Professional Basketball Player Info.brandonsantiago@gmail.com

Brandon is now retired from professional basketball.

* First off let me say that I was amazed at how much I learned when I read your manual on shooting earlier this spring and saw a significant improvement in my shot.
O. 

* The best basketball book I've read.

Coach David C.

* From Coach Lambert:

"Shooting Coach Dave Jones' program is awesome, phenomenal, unlike any other shooting coaching instruction. Many shooting instructions teach mechanics, the Shooting Coach attacks teaching from a subconscious level so players learn to shoot unconsciously. His studies in physiology incorporated with his basketball knowledge generate amazing results.

* Hey coach just finished reading up your shooting book for the second time. Your principles have really made my shooting improve.
D. 

* Email:
Hello there.  My main problem when I play basketball is my mental game.  When I play against my friends and people I know I can beat, my game excels.  But when it comes to certain people that I don't care for or people I've never met but want to look good, I get nervous and my game changes from aggressive to feeble and careful.  I don't take chances or drive because I'm afraid to look stupid or get hurt.  Do you have any tips to get rid of these mentality problems?  I want to stay aggressive and confident regardless of who I am playing.  Your help is greatly appreciated.                 

Reply:
Hello -
Your problem is very common for all ages, however it's easily corrected.  Basketball players tend to think too much and the better you become the more time you have to think.  That's not good.  So what you must learn is how not to think and that's actually fairly easy.  How?  Develop your court vision.   I want you to download the Book, "Basketball - It's All About The Shot."  In the book you will find extensive information on developing your court vision or peripheral vision. 
You're probably wondering how that will stop you from thinking.  Once court vision becomes habit it won't make any difference if your opponent is Lebron James or your little sister.  You won't be thinking about who your opponent is, in fact you won't be thinking at all.  That will take care of your problem, guaranteed, and along the way you'll become a much better shooter than you are right now.
Thanks for the question. Keep me apprised of your progress. All The Best, Coach Jones
P.S. I always recommend learning Karate and Yoga to all basketball players.
• 1 comment
Comments Olivia on October 23, 2011 at 8:29 AM said:
Wow! That's a really neat answer!

* POINT GUARD
Email: 

Dear Coach, what are some of the most difficult aspects of being a point guard?
Reply:
Hi -

Being a point guard is really no more difficult than other positions in basketball - all positions have their challenges and rewards.  I'll say this though, normally 6'11" players have a more difficult time handling the ball than 5' players do, so let's go on knowing that. 
I want my point guards, there's always at least one back-up player, to be like an assistant coach.  That means my point guards know all the plays we run offensively and defensively, what each position's responsibilities are for each play we run on both ends of the court and why we run each play.  I want my point guard creating mismatch situations for his/her teammates and his/her self.  I want my point guard communicating with me while s/he's playing and communicating with teammates.  I want my point guard to understand what offense our opponents are running against us, and why.  I want my point guard to understand what defense our opponents are running against us, and why.  If our point guard is not our team captain, I want my point guard to have excellent communication with our team's captain - I believe the team captain is the most valuable asset a coach possess!!!  I want my point guard to be responsible enough to always be setting an excellent example for teammates to follow, on and off the court.  A point guard should have excellent court vision.  A point guard should have a very high basketball IQ that comes from studying the ins and outs of the game of basketball.  A point guard should be an excellent ball handler.  A point guard should be an excellent passer and understand passing lanes and how to create them.  A point guard should have great non-verbal communication skills.  A point guard should know where his/her teammates are most effective, get them open and get them the ball when that opportunity presents itself.  A point guard needs control of his/her emotions.  A point guard needs to develop several speeds.  A point guard needs to understand the game from the perspective of a coach so s/he can see plays, opportunities, and trends as they are developing.
All The Best, Coach Jones
• 1 comment
Comments
Action requires knowledge, and now I can act! 

* COACH, WHY CAN'T THIS ATHLETE VISUALIZE?
Email:
Hi Coach:
Do your athletes have trouble visualizing their performance?  I just received a question from a sports parent about her daughter's challenges with mental imagery.  Here's the question... "I have a 13-year-old competitive cheerleader who competes at a very high level requiring advanced tumbling and stunting abilities.  I have recently tried to teach her about visualization and mental imagery, but she cannot seem to visualize anything.  Is this normal?" 
My answer to this dilemma is that this parent might not be aware that every athlete has their own personal preference for mental imagery.  Most athletes use some type of mental images naturally.  However, not all athletes visualize!  Many athletes are kinesthetic and prefer to feel the movement; they can't see images.  I remember when I worked with PGA Tour player ___ ___ many years ago before he won...  He was relieved when I told him that he did not have to "see" his shots and he may prefer to feel the swing or ball flight instead.  He simply could not "see" his shots.
Thanks, Dr. ___ ____
Reply:
Hi Doc -
All athletes visualize, some of them just find it difficult to understand how the visualization process works within them because of conscious expectations they have of how visualization is supposed to 'look.'  Ask your golfer to describe his least favorite hole on the tour.  He will give you a description of unbelievable accuracy.  Ask him to give you directions to his local Starbucks and ask for easy to identify landmarks, again he will give you a description with unbelievable accuracy.  He must 'see' his memories in order to do both of these but tell him he just used his visualization process, and he'll tell you that's untrue, he just 'knows' these things.  For people who use senses other than visual as their main modality I use the word imagine.  "Imagine how that back swing feels," that way he will not 'fight' using both senses and will use his natural ability to visualize without having to describe it. 
All The Best Doc, Coach Jones 

* Comments
I'm impressed by your writing.  Are you a professional or just very knowledgeable?  

WHAT SHOULDN'T I DO WHEN SHOOTING A BASKETBALL?
Answer:
It depends on whether you're practicing, playing in a game, your age and other variables.  Answering this question the way you want me to is like me telling you "Don't think of a pink elephant."  What's the first thing you do?  That's right, you think of a pink elephant.  I don't want you thinking of what you should not be doing.  When a shooter understands the 'Mental Side' of shooting, that shooter is not thinking at all.  That is the proper way to shoot, being 'in the zone' and not thinking. This is so easy to learn it's silly.    

Thanks for the question.