Quiz the Coach - I Can't Do a Layup!

So ya dig sports but need some help with your game? Don't understand some of the rules of football, basketball or hockey? Got a gripe about P.E. class, skateboarders, cheerleading, teammates or coaches, or anything? Why not ? The Kidzworld Coach can help ya work out team problems or give ya tips and advice to improve your game - all ya gotta do is ask!

Hey Coach,

I can't do a layup and I'm in grade seven. Please can you help me because the tryouts are coming up and I really want to make the team so I don't feel left out.
Naughty_dawl

Hey Naughty_dawl,

Layups are shots that players are expected to make most of the time - so it's important you learn this skill. (But don't put too much pressure on yourself - even Vince Carter and Kobe miss layups sometimes.) Concentrate on keeping your hands and feet in the correct position. If you're shooting on the right side of the basket, shoot with your right hand and jump off your left foot. If you are shooting on the left side of the basket, do the opposite. Release the ball at the peak of your jump and aim to hit the ball off the square of the backboard. Like any skill, the best way to get better is to practice, practice and practice again.

To watch video of layup drills and other basketball skills, click here.

Hey Coach,

Do Allen Iverson and Kobe get along with each other when they play together?
bamlakers8

Hey bamlakers8,

That's a very timely question. Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant have had several battles against each other on the basketball court but the two have never played together on the same team. However, that could change next summer when the USA will play in an Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Kobe Bryant has already accepted an invitation to play for the US basketball team at next summer's tournament and Allen Iverson will likely be invited to play on the team as well. Both Allen and Kobe are shooting guards and both have reps as being ball hogs - so there's a good chance the two will want to rip each other's hair out if they end up on the same team. But they could also end up playing great together which means the rest of the world will be in big trouble once the Olympics roll around in 2004.

Do you have a question on sports like basketball and hockey, skateboards, skateboarding, fitness, P.E. class, rules to sports or health? to the Kidzworld Coach. Keep in mind peeps, the Kidzworld Coach isn't a doctor or a professional athlete or anything like that. He's just a dude who digs sports, plays 'em and knows a lot about 'em. You should always talk to your 'rents, a doctor or your school gym teacher before starting a new sport or a new exercise.

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