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In re: Steph Curry's Quick Release and overall Catch & Release Shooting Form
<< An average NBA player’s release time is 4 seconds. That seems awful long to me, I'm skeptical that the average is that high. The following source agrees that its .4sec for Curry but says .54sec avg. ... "Curry's release was timed at .4 seconds by Sports Science (average NBA release time is .54 seconds). That means Curry's ball travels 12' in the air before the average NBA player ever gets the ball out of his hand ... amazing!" | breakthroughbasketball.com
Hi, Tim. On its face that certainly seems to contradict what was stated in the article I cited and quoted "An average NBA player’s release time is 4 seconds but Curry does it in just 0.4 seconds." | realhoopers.com
As well constructed as both articles which were written by and for shooting coaches are, I think both may be slightly misleading and I'm less skeptical than you of that average player 4 second time. In an actual NBA game as opposed to practice shooting, a handful of NBA players might be able to 'release' in a catch and release scenario in as little as .54 seconds (or a few even faster) but not with any respectable accuracy or consistency. In an NBA game the average player is going to likely be able to catch and release in closer to 4 seconds than 1 second or less. The average NBA player moreover is not going to come remotely close to Steph Curry, Dell Curry, Kyle Korver, JJ Redick, Steve Kerr or even Seth Curry and other elites for accuracy, points scored or consistency for intermediate or 3pt range catch and release shooting.
What I think different1ates Steph from his other elite contemporaries is his overall mastery of the steps of the catch and shoot Shooting Form (Alignment, Quick Release, One Motion Shot and the Balance BEEF acronym as broken down, detailed and explained by the editors of Real Hoopers. Rick Penny describes that as "non-stop movement up the shot line from start to finish ... a One Motion or one-piece shot" that he breaks down and details for your linked Breakthrough Basketball article.
The following 2017 article available at the link below shows timed average catch-and-shoot makes for current or recent shooting elites Klay Thompson, Buddy Hield, Kevin Love and 2 of my former Sixers' favs:
>> NBA Shooting Release Times
Mason Waters Fast Model Sports | Skill Development Technology & Analytics June 7, 2017
[ ] ... This purpose of this study is to give players a training goal, which is to practice (and make) shots at a quick release speed, while keeping sound mechanics.
Players — While you’re in the gym practicing your shots, it’s important to have the ball out of your hands in less than 1 second. I’d personally say that to aim for the 0.5–0.6 second range in practice is for the elite, maybe 1% of shooters. Very few shooters should aim for that release time when training. The 0.7–0.85 second range is more realistic for top-level high school, and college players. Shoot as fast as you can without sacrificing your form. It will feel uncomfortable at first, but your body will get used to it with hundreds of reps. ... [ ] <<
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What we are seeing in this year's Finals is, as Sam noted in his post to me darned is near "ridiculous." I find it incredible. The ball goes swish almost before I realize he's released it.
