Here’s How: Step-by-step sports

Jaycee Carroll likes making 3-pointers. He likes them even more than dunking the ball, which means something coming from a 6’2” guard from Evanston, Wyo.

“It feels really good to dunk on someone, but I like making threes more,” he said.

Carroll said he has always been good at 3-pointers, but he was more of a drive-to-the-hoop player until his senior year of high school when he made 14-of-16 from behind the arc in a single game.

“My dad would never let me shoot threes until I was in high school,” Carroll said. “He said I wasn’t big enough.”

His dad knew a thing or two about basketball as the coach of the girls team at Evanston High School. Carroll said that is how he had the opportunity to get good.

“I was always in the gym with him,” he said. “I was always there for two hours, dribbling and shooting. I love shooting the basketball.”

Carroll said there are a few basic things one must do to properly shoot from long range.

“When you catch the ball, hold your hands so your thumbs are like a T,” he said. “If you’re right-handed, then your right foot should be slightly in front of your left. Bend your knees, look at the basket and shoot.”

Your weight should go slightly forward when you shoot and you should hold your follow through, he said.

Carroll said it is important to be confident when you shoot.

“It plays in a lot,” he said. “A lot of players talk about being confident. When you’re confident, you can shoot from anywhere.”

This season, Carroll has discovered a new problem when it comes to shooting threes: the opposing teams tend to notice him.

“The defenders are doing a lot more, so I don’t touch the ball,” he said. “They put their hands on me and people grab me. The refs need to see that.”

Carroll said because of the stiffer defense being played on him, people think that he isn’t doing as well this season as last year.

“They’re doing a lot more to guard me, but I have the same percentage as last season,” he said, saying last year he shot 47 percent from behind the arc and he is actually at 49 percent this season. “Everyone just got used to it. A lot of people were surprised last year.”

In order to beat the defense, Carroll said he has to play a lot harder.

“I have to push off for separation,” he said. “I’ll start slow and then get fast. I also need really good screens from my teammates.”

With all the extra work he has to put into getting open, Carroll said the thrill is even greater to make his long-range shots.

“You want to make something happen,” he said. “I get excited to do that.”

-bhhinton@cc.usu.edu

This is how you do it

5. Shoot. 6. Your wieght should go slightly forward as you are jumping.

4. Look at the basket.

3. Bend your knees.