Don't Let Your Young Kid Shoot 3's

Now days I see way too many youngsters developing horrible shooting form because it's such a big deal to shoot the 3 pointer.  Most, if not all of these kids can't consistently shoot 10 footers, yet they want to throw them up from 18-21 feet or more.  Kids that can't shoot 25% from the free throw line think they are Kobe  from the perimeter.

The most frustrating part of it is how they are trying to make those shots and what they are doing to any semblance of shooting form they ever had in the first place.  They throw them up from the shoulder, or shove them at the hoop from the middle of their chest with their hand flying across their body.  It's hideous, a high school coaches nightmare.  These kids are developing horrible habits that will still be with them for years, and their parents and coaches often sit by and cheer it on.

So what if an 11 year old kid hits 1-2 threes out of 10 shots?  Even if they have a better percentage than that, how are they getting it done?  Are they throwing it up there with all their might with horrendous form? 

Very few young kids have the strength to shoot from downtown with proper shooting form, and if they have to do it without proper shooting form, it could very possibly ruin them in the future.  Parents that let them are doing the wrong thing.  Ask any good high school coach and he'll tell you these young kids should all be shooting with proper form from 8-12 feet and maybe from 15 feet when they get real consistent from the shorter distances using proper shooting techniques.

If you have a pre-high school age kid playing, don't let them do it.  Before you let them shoot from beyond the 3 point line, make sure they have the strength and proper shooting form to get it done.  Until they do, don't let them do it or you will be contributing to bad habits that will be really hard to break.