LSU Women's Basketball http://lsuwbkb.posterous.com The Lady Tiger Way - Official Blog posterous.com Tue, 14 Sep 2010 14:56:00 -0700 Travis Mays -- the Lady Tigers' "Shot Doctor" http://lsuwbkb.posterous.com/travis-mays-the-lady-tigers-shot-doctor http://lsuwbkb.posterous.com/travis-mays-the-lady-tigers-shot-doctor

 

BOB STARKEY: Not everyone knows it but before he joined our women's basketball staff, Travis and I had already went head to head.  I was new on Coach Dale Brown's staff at LSU in 1989 and had the Texas scout for our game with the Longhorns.  It was one of the more memorable games I've been associated with as we were able to win 124-133 -- it was like an NBA game.  Chris Jackson has 51 that afternoon with Shaquille registering a triple-double.  But I knew going in that Texas was an outstanding shooter and he drilled us for 30 points!  After an All-American career at Texas, Travis than enjoyed a great rookie season in the NBA before constantly battling injuries that shorted his pro career.  LSU is the recipient of his bad luck by gaining an outstanding shooting instructor.

TRAVIS MAYS: I’ve been blessed in my lifetime to have been taught the art of shooting by some excellent coaches and I’ve always enjoyed passing down what I’ve learned.  Shooting is a blend of the physical and the mental combined with a special discipline if you want to master it.  Here are the three primary things I work on with the Lady Tigers:

 1.  Mechanics  may be the most important. This consist of many things:  balance, hand to ball positioning, complete extension of the elbow, and follow through.  First you must understand why each of these steps are important to the shot.  I have found that once a player understands the why  and how each mechanic  affects the outcome of the shot, the quicker they buy into the execution of it.  If you are able to achieve this, the player’s shot  improves at this point. 

 2.  Repetition.  There is no substitution for shooting the proper way to create not only muscle, but mental memory.  This is essential for success because this is where confidence is created.  If you shoot  the  basketball  with proper mechanics and confidence you will get the results you are looking for. Which leads me to the final key.  Every great shooter has it. Trust!

 3. Trust it.  Enough said.

DESTINI HUGHES: One thing that Coach Mays has helped me with on my shot is being free and pushing through the ball. Instead of holding the ball right before I shoot, he taught me to make it all one motion and to finish my shot by pushing all the way through the ball. He taught me to push through the floor with equal strength of both legs and to reach not only with my right arm but with my left as well. He said if the ball ever hits the right side of the rim or fall short, then that means I didn't follow all the way through and if it hits the left side of the rim, then that means I didn't reach with my left hand to keep the ball from favoring that side. All my misses should hit the back of the rim, not left or right. He told me to practice the techniques and not worry about if the ball goes in or not because the ball will take care of itself. He said every great shooter don't focus on making the shot, they focus on the techniques which leads to a made shot.

ADRIENNE WEBB: One thing Coach Mays has taught me on how to improve my shot was not just to shoot the shot on my way up and get some air under it but to also shot for the back of the rim. Shooting for the back of the rim gives your teammates a chance to rebound in case you happen to miss the shot.

KATHERINE GRAHAM: Coach Mays has helped tremendously with my shot! He helps you realize that going back to the basics and learning he key components of making your shot more effective seem effortless. One of the things he has helped me with is to get under the ball, which has helped create a better arch on my shot, as well as release the ball freely. I think Coach Mays can hold a clinic on how to shoot a basketball, and give drills on how to improve you shot.

TIA EASON: Coach Mays really emphasized holding my follow through when shooting the basketball. He also told me to get a lot of repetition and practice in. He said that the more shots you put up the more confidence I would have in my shot. I have seen a difference in my shooting from using coach Mays shooting points.

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Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:48:00 -0700 Road trip to Phoenix to see Meek, Mone and Syl http://lsuwbkb.posterous.com/road-trip-to-phoenix-to-see-meek-mone-and-syl http://lsuwbkb.posterous.com/road-trip-to-phoenix-to-see-meek-mone-and-syl

COACH BOB STARKEY: Leaving out of Baton Rouge tomorrow morning heading to Pheonix, Arizona.  I'm quite sure I won't be complaining about the Louisiana heat when I get back. 

It will be a pilgrimage of sorts for me -- going to watch arguable the three most influential Lady Tigers of all time compete on professional level over the course of four days.

On July 29th and I will watch Temeka Johnson and Phoenix host Seimone Augustus and the Minnesota Lynx.  There's a good chance that the two will rope me out of a free meal.  I'll then stay for a few more days where I will have a chance to be a part of the launch of Temeka's children's book "Decisions, Decisions, Decsicions."  I'll then stay for the August 1 showdown between Meek and Sylvia Fowles' Chicago Sky.  I'm also looking forward to spending time with basketball great and Phoenix General Manager Annie Meyers Drysdale.  Annie is a dear friend introduced to me by Coach Gunter (who coached on the 1976 Olympic Team).  I'm really looking forward to the trip and will be blogging constantly during the trip so stay tuned to "The Lady Tiger Way Blog" (or the Lady Tiger Facebook page or my twitter page) to find out what's up with these Lady Tiger alums. 

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Thu, 17 Jun 2010 13:39:00 -0700 Thanks and good luck Brittany! http://lsuwbkb.posterous.com/thanks-and-good-luck-brittany http://lsuwbkb.posterous.com/thanks-and-good-luck-brittany

Brittany Carvalhido has joined the men's basketball staff as Executive Assistant to the Head Coach. Brittany has served the past two seasons as our Director of Basketball Operations.

“I truly enjoyed my time with the LSU Women’s Basketball program," said Brittany. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff, managers and team and let you all know how I’ve enjoyed working with all of you these past couple of years.  Thank you for your support, insights, and help you have provided me.  I am still an LSU Tiger!  Geaux Tigers!!!”  

 

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Fri, 04 Jun 2010 14:32:00 -0700 Lady Tiger Paige Legendre marries Brandon Breaux http://lsuwbkb.posterous.com/lady-tiger-paige-legendre-married-brandon-bre http://lsuwbkb.posterous.com/lady-tiger-paige-legendre-married-brandon-bre

Former Lady Tiger student secretary Paige Legendre wed Brandon Breaux on May 28.  Paige worked for the Lady Tigers for four years and her beautiful ceremony was attended by much of the Lady Tiger staff.  We wish Paige and Brandon the very best!

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/566494/lsucoachstarkey.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5ALKlEihyfjb Bob Starkey Bob Starkey - Assistant Head Coach Bob Starkey