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Hi Coach,
Today, we’re diving into the results and application points for coaches from a research study I came across while listening to the Perception and Action Podcast.
I hope these newsletters serve you on your coaching journey!
Best,
Luke Gromer, RYG Athletics
PODCAST & RESEARCH STUDY
🎯 Purpose of the Study
To test if adding a defender in basketball shooting drills creates a more realistic (representative) practice environment for skilled female basketball players.
🧪 What They Did
Participants: 10 top-level junior female players (national-level talent).
Tasks: Players performed the same basketball shots in two conditions:
Undefended (no defense)
Defended (1-on-1 defense)
Shot types included:
3-point
Free throw
Post move
Pull-up jump shot
Screen & curl cut
Measured things like:
Shooting accuracy (makes)
Shot execution time (time to shoot)
Jump time (how long they were in the air on their jump)
Ball flight time (how long the ball was in the air)
Players also gave feedback on how each condition felt.
📊 Key Results
Shooting Accuracy:
Dropped from 68% to 46% in defended situations.
Most affected shots: post moves, curl cuts, and 3-pointers.
Technique Changes with Defense:
Faster shot release (to avoid being blocked)
Higher jumps
Longer ball flight (higher arc to shoot over defender)
Greater Movement Variability:
Players had more variation in their shooting mechanics under pressure – a good sign for adaptability.
Real-Game Comparison:
Shooting in defended drills was highly correlated with actual game stats
In other words, their shooting percentages with a defender present were similar to their shooting percentages in games
Undefended practice was not correlated with their game stats
In other words, their shooting percentages without a defender present were not close to their shooting percentages in games
🗣️ What Players Said
Here are the key points that the players who participated in the study communicated to the researchers about the difference in opposed (with defense) versus unopposed (without defense) practice.
With Defense: More pressure, more game-like, harder to take "perfect" shots.
Without Defense: Felt easier, more time, but “not like a real game.”
Key insight: Players had to adapt when a defender was present—just like in games.
📚 Coaching Takeaways
✅ Defenders Matter: Adding a defender increases realism and helps players practice under game-like pressure.
✅ Promote Adaptability: Variability in movement (due to defenders) trains players to adjust technique under different scenarios. Athletes need functional movement solutions NOT one ideal technique.
✅ Better Skill Transfer: Skills practiced with defenders are more likely to show up in actual games.
✅ Don’t Over-Simplify Drills: Random shooting without defense isn’t enough. Instead, mimic key game scenarios—even in small formats (like 1-on-1).
🧠 Final Coaching Tip
Use RLD (representative learning design) in practice: Design drills that mirror game situations. Even adding one defender changes everything—the player's timing, decisions, and technique.
This makes your sessions more effective and helps athletes develop adaptable skills that are more likely to transfer to the game.
CLOSING
Thanks for reading, I hope this serves you on your journey.
To your growth,
Luke Gromer, RYG Athletics
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