National Champion Reveals Shooting Secrets

Gator Country is abuzz with football this week. It's
SEC Media Days. That's where the media gathers
and fawns over all the coaches and players, and rabid
fans start the stretch run toward the upcoming
season.

NowI'm a football fan, but not the rabid kind.

All the talk about football this week doesn't mean
the Gator basketball team isn't still making news
too though.

Joakim Noah made a surprise showing at a local
elementary school aged basketball camp. And
senior shooting guard Lee Humphrey was
interviewed recently and gave 5 tips for
sharpening your shooting prowess.

Here's Lee's great advice.

1. Put up as many shots as you can. In practice,
after practice, before games, at home, etc.

2. Have a good solid base. Make sure your body
is balanced when shooting.

3. Have good follow through. Stay focused on the
basket and keep your arm up with elbow locked
till the ball is on the rim at least.

4. Have good wrist action.

5. Have fun.

Many of us forget about that last one.

Good shooters have an air of joy about them though.
A relaxed confidence, and a knowing grin on their
face. Like they know something the rest of the world
doesn't.

To be a great shooter you have to be carefree.
Having a mind free from cares and concerns. You
have to be able to quickly forget your past miscues
and focus positively focus on your next shot.

Remembering to have fun keeps you in that kind of
a resourceful state of mind.

Shoot for the Stars,

Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

P.S. Tom Nordland makes shooting fun again with
his Swish DVD's. His enthusiasm is infectuous. If
you need to recover or start your youthful joy and
become a powerful shooter the Swish way, punch
your ticket today at:

http://www.deandelker.com/swish2.html

Copyright, Delker Enterprises, Inc. 2006

It's Confession Time

Even if you weren't raised Catholic let's say it's
confession time. I'm Scotch/Irish & German by blood,
but I must have gotten mostly the Scotch part
because I've I've tended to be tight with money long
as I can remember. It must be in the DNA.

Something happened to me this Saturday though.

I needed a haircut. As usual I dug out the coupon book,
found one and cut it out. Near my house and $6.95 for
an $11 haircut. Just what the doctor ordered.

So I got a good haircut, but it occurred to me as I sat
in the chair I had a choice. I could use the coupon like
always. It was in my pocket. BUT I DIDN'T HAVE
TO. I could pay retail price. I had the money. I could
even tip.

I got quiet for a second and realized by paying the
$11 price I would feel better. I would feel richer and
more enpowered so I went ahead and did that, and
even tipped 40%.

In retrospect now I think that is one of the best
decisions I've made recently. I had a tremendous
week, with several big opportunities popping up, and
I felt a big crack in that limiting mindset I had
thought was etched in stone.

Crazy, huh, what we hang on to sometimes. Believe
me you're much better off letting go of those
limitations sooner rather than later. And the time
is now.

If you want to be successful in anything, and
especially shooting you're going to have doubts
and limiting beliefs weighing you down, slowing
your progress. Keeping you from practicing.
Keeping you from taking action.

To be a shooter you have to see yourself as a
shooter. Not somebody trying to be a shooter.
Most of us need a self-image makeover, and one
of the best ways for that is by hanging out with
the people who already have what we want.

These days through the magic of DVD's you can
hang out with some of the best shooters and best
shot coaches in the world.

So don't just look at your DVD's for the how to's.
Watch the people.

See the good shooters on the the screen. Watch them
in detail. Then project yourself into them. Kind of like
in the movie "Ghost" if you remember it. Then feel
yourself with their confidence, their moves, their
cockiness, their stroke, their focus.

Finally, step out on the court and be a shooter
yourself.

Shoot for The Stars,

Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

P.S. Projecting yourself into a star player is just one of
a multitude of cybernetics techniques Stan Kellner
teaches in his 'Beyond The Absolute Limit' book. I don't
have time to count them tonight, but there must be at
least a hundred specific techniques like that to make
you a better baller.

And Stan says his new blockbuster shooting DVD
should be done in 2 weeks. I just decided I'll start
taking advance orders next week, so I'll put up an
order page this weekend. I'll keep you informed.

Believe me, what you get for your money with this
program will astound you.

P.S.S If you haven't gotten Dr. Hal Wissel's DVD's yet
you're missing a wonderful shooter in his son Paul to
pattern yourself after. Beautiful stroke.

Get on the bandwagon today at:

http://www.deandelker.com/wissel_order.html

Copyright, Delker Enterprises, Inc. 2006

Just An Off-Hand Remark

One of my favorite players at the University of Florida
wasn't even on this year's National Championship
Team. He was playing for the New York Knicks in the
NBA. His name is David Lee originally from St. Louis.

I like David so much because he could shoot equally
well with either hand. He's a natural left-hander, but
learned to shoot right-handed in high school when his
left arm was broken.

These days we think nothing of a player who can
dribble with either hand. It's mandatory. If you want
to be an elite ballplayer though learn to shoot with
your off-hand too. And I'm not talking about layups.

A good place to start is with yesterday's one-handed
warmup shot, done with your off-hand. If you don't
have that in your Inbox, you can find it on my blog at
http://www.deandelker.com/blogger.html

You'll probably have to start closer to the basket than
you did yesterday. You'll also have to do more reps
than with your dominant hand before you start
feeling comfortable. And you'll need to use more leg
drive. Don't worry. You will feel it.

It can be done though. Be patient and persistent.
You'll be glad you did some future game when you
really need to score on a persistent defender.

You'll be even more glad if you put into practice
everything Dr. Hal teaches. Perfect your quick- release
pro-style shot today at:

http://www.deandelker.com/wissel_order.html

Shoot for the Stars,

Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

Copyright, Delker Enterprises, Inc. 2006 Copyright 2006

What Is The Sound Of One Hand Shooting

Don't get the idea I'm against doin' the stuff just
because I've been emphasizing the mental aspects
of shooting. I just think mental side gets neglected
sometimes so I try to compensate.

You have to take action though, or you'll never have
the results you want. Practice and drills are essential,
but having inner game allows you to produce more
"inspired" action and get more out of your practicing.

So here's one of Hal Wissel's warm-up shooting drills
for you to use. The wise will start every shooting
practice with this:

One-hand shooting is an excellent way to develop
your ability to start and finish a shot with your
shooting hand facing the front of the rim.

This helps eliminate side rotation.

It also fosters lifting the ball to the basket rather
than throwing it.

This drill is particularly beneficial if your off hand
tends to interfere with your shot like mine does. If
for example, you thumb the ball with your non-
shooting hand.

As always keep your shooting elbow in. Some don't
have the flexibility to do that. In that case, first put
your shooting hand facing the front of the rim. Then
move the elbow in as far as your flexibility allows.

Start about six feet from the basket. Your shooting
hand will be between your ear and shoulder. Use your
support hand to place the ball in your shooting hand.

Do not reach for the ball with the shooting hand. That
would cause you to twist the ball on the way up, and
start side spin momentum. Now lower your off hand
to your side.

Balance the ball in your shooting hand with your index
finger at the ball’s midpoint. Check that your forearm
is at a right angle to the floor and that it forms an L
with your upper arm. This position helps you lift the
ball to the basket rather than throw it. Do that lift
and keep your hand extended on the follow thru at
least until the ball reaches the basket.

Count and record the number of shots you make out
of 10. Then after making five consecutive shots step
back a giant step and repeat the process. The further
back you go the more leg drive you'll need to add in.

Hal also has suggestions about using his unique
triggering and correcting keywords, but you'll have to
have seen the DVD's to understand that part of it. If
you're ready to take your shooting to another level
Hal will show you how at:

http://www.deandelker.com/wissel_order.html

Shoot for the Stars,

Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

P.S. Don't forget about working on your hand, wrist,
and forearm strength. A sure fire way to crush every
opponent you face is to know you're training with the
world famous 'Captains of Crush' hand grippers. If
you're ready to dominate, strength starts in the hands.
See how now at:

http://www.deandelker.com/captains_of_crush.html

Copyright, Delker Enterprises, Inc. 2006

Danger, Will Robinson - Danger

Have you ever driven down the highway and realized
you had no memory of the past 20 miles, or driven
home from work on automatic pilot? Sure, we all have.

Most people consider "mind" to be the conscious things
we are aware of. What we take in through our 5 senses.
But much, if not most, mental activity goes on without
our awareness. Actions such as walking, peddling a
bike, and shooting a basketball can become almost as
automatic as breathing.

In shooting that is something we want. That's what's
described as being in the 'zone'. So if your shot is not
automatic yet, if you're still having to think about it -
your shooting will be erratic.

The more you can understand about how your mind
works the more successful you can be on on the court,
and indeed, at anything you do.

The conscious mind has its place, but if you try to use
it for the wrong task you are asking for trouble. Which
is ironic because one of the conscious mind's prime
directives is for your survival and it's own self-
preservation.

And the way it does that is to be on the lookout for
trouble and danger. It is geared to look for what is
different and unexpected and unsafe or risky.

That is very valuable if you need to jump out of the
way of a speeding car, but it's a terrible success
mechanism. It's too critical, too suspicious, too fearful,
and too negative. No wonder you are bombarded by
negative thoughts all day.

When you are trying a new move or a new shot, and
you think about how bad you're doing or all the reasons
it won't work that's the conscious mind trying to protect
you. And the more dominant and finely tuned your
mind is the less of a risk taker or a doer you will be.

Take it from experience. This 99th percentile
standardized test-taking bookworm knows very well
how much the conscious mind keeps you from real
success. It's only been since I've learned to use my
imagination, positive energy, and subconscious that
I've seen progress being made.

Up to that point all I was doing was surviving.

Shoot for the Stars,

Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

P.S. It was Dr. Maxwell Maltz who pioneered many
of the ideas we toss around today like self-image, the
subconscious, visualization, etc. Since he passed away
his heirs have pulled together all his writings, lectures,
and personal notes into a comprehensive how-to
manual. That is what "Zero Resistance Living" is all
about.

Find out how to live your dreams today at:

http://www.deandelker.com/zero_resistance.html

P.S.S. When I was talking about using your off hand
in front of the basketball instead of on the side I
forgot to mention your elbow can splay out to the side
all you want. Just let it go wherever it feels natural.

I'm may miss other points in my commentary which
is why you want to own the DVD's for yourself.
Information you dig out for yourself will always be
more meaningful and more satisfying.

Satisfy your curiosity today, and become even more
of a winner by taking action today at:

http://www.deandelker.com/wissel_order.html

Copyright, Delker Enterprises, Inc. 2006

Science Says Sleep Serves Up Solutions

The data are in!

A growing group of sleep researchers believe the
subconscious is a nighttime incubator. They say
while asleep, the brain is capable of feats it can not
match while awake.

Robert Stickgold, Ph.D., a cognitive neuroscientist
at Harvard Medical School studies the effects of
sleep on learning and memory.

In one study, Stickgold taught volunteers to perform
a task. Later, the researchers measured how quickly
the subjects completed the task. They found people
tested later the same day didn't improve. But when
they were allowed to sleep for at least 6 hours
between the training and testing, their scores shot
up by 15 percent.

What really surprised Stickgold though?

Participants continued to increase their scores over
the next 2 or 3 days without further practice or
training.

"It's clear a night of sleep changes the form of
memories so you can perform tasks faster and
more accurately," Stickgold says.

So you can now feel even more confident using your
imagination to practice shooting before you fall
asleep. The science is on your side.

Shoot for the Stars,

Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

P.S. If you want to become a master at using your
imagination to create results in your life the Psycho-
Cybernetics Foundation's 'Zero Resistance Living'
course is right up your alley.

If you want to start living your dreams today find
out how at:

http://www.deandelker.com/zero_resistance.html

Copyright, Delker Enterprises, Inc. 2006

Almost Cut My Hair

Almost cut my hair
It happened just the other day
It was getting kind of long
I could have said it was in my way

But I didn't and I wonder why
I feel like letting my freak flag fly
And I feel like I owe it to someone

- David Crosby with CSNY

According to an AP story and photo this morning
Steve Nash, two-time NBA MostValuable Player,
doesn't subscribe to that philosophy. He's sporting
a buzz cut these days instead of his near-trademark
unruly hairdo.

Steve had taken time recently to work in Vancouver
with 20 of Canada's top high school basketball
players at a Nike-sponsored training camp. The
players were understandibly impressed, and Nash
had this advice:

"I just try to tell them how hard you have to work
and how bad you have to want it to be a good
player. A lot of time kids say they want to be great,
but they don't want to put in the time."

Can I get an AMEN? That is one of the natural
flaws of youth, isn't it? And it may have gotten
worse in today's modern affluent society.

Steve Nash is known for his ballhandling, his floor
leadership, his pinpoint passing, and his clutch
shooting. But he's earned all those skills through
hard work. That's what it takes.

How big is your desire?

If it's at 70 on a scale of 100, and you come up
against an obstacle that's a 50, no problem. If,
however, you're facing an obstacle that's an 85
you're in trouble and may even quit, or you
need to find a way to raise your desire.

Got it? How big is YOUR 'want to'?

To go along with your 'want to' you do need some
'how to'. Dr. Hal Wissel can show you how to
develop the shooter's confidence using positive
self-talk and keywords to trigger good mechanics,
rhythm and range.

And what is it worth to you to learn how to correct
your own shooting flaws and develop the quick-
release pro shot Hal teaches at:

http://www.deandelker.com/wissel_order.html

Shoot for the Stars,

Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

P.S. What if you could to learn the footwork and
moves for 14 practical game-time situations?
Wouldn't your shots start dropping then? In
addition what if you could get schooled on post
moves and shots. That's what volume 2 of Hal's
Basketball Shooting DVD will bring you at:

http://www.deandelker.com/wissel_order.html

Copyright, Delker Enterprises, Inc. 2006

Help Again - I'm Still Stuck

What do you do if you've tried and tried and your
shooting isn't getting any better? Something's not
clicking, but you don't know what.

First of all, relax. Try polling your subconscious
again like I talked about yesterday. You may not
get instantaneous answers, but be patient. You
can't force a response. Your inner man or woman
will not be bullied. Answers come in flow, not
through striving and trying harder.

And you may not be ready to hear the answers yet
either. You may need to grow and mature in some
area on the inside before you're going to see results
on the outside. Give yourself plenty of time to grow.
And look and see if there are any areas of internal
change you have been resisting.

Keep working on your fundamentals too though.
Being in motion toward your goal is critical. Doing
nothing is a sure fire way to get nothing. Remember
too you won't hit your goal in one fell swoop. You
will zig zag all the way to mastery, picking up
feedback all the time and correcting your course.

You'll have to experiment. See what works for your
and what doesn't. This weekend I tried one tip from
Hal Wissel's shooting fundamentals DVD, and it made
a huge difference. It may not have the same impact
on you. You'll just have to see, but here it is.

Instead of holding your off or support hand on the side
of the ball try moving it around in front of the ball and
slightly under. Think of it like a tee your shooting hand
is going to drive off of.

Hal doesn't say you have to do this. He just suggests
you try it. I found my support hand on the side
sometimes pushed the ball a bit. That usually led to
some side spin and made it harder for my shooting
hand not to twist. I had to really work at keeping it
straight which then tensed the shooting arm more than
it needed. Trying it Hal's way made it much easier and
natural for me to shoot straight.

That's the way things are. Something little like that
will make a huge difference. You just have to keep
on seeking and you will find answers.

Coaches can help expose your blind spots and point
you in the right direction, but you have to discover
what works for your body type, your musculature,
and maybe even your temperament. There is no
way to shortcut taking personal responsibility for
becoming better shooter. Success is always a
personal journey, and success in shooting is no
exception.

Shoot for the Stars,

Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

P.S. I wouldn't necessarily recommend Hal's DVD
for young kids although he and his sons Paul and
Scott do teach kids in their camps. While they could
learn from it I'd say it's most relevant to physically
mature shooters, both men and women. Say high
school age and up. It shows coach working with
NBA players and prospects at one of his SHOOT IT
BETTER mini camps.

Hal is well known for his ability to develop players,
and he shows you how to get the most out of your
natural stroke. If you're ready to absorb his
experience and wisdom, he's ready to turn you into
a better shooter. You can get started pronto at:

http://www.deandelker.com/wissel.html

Copyright, Delker Enterprises, Inc. 2006

Help - I'm Stuck

Questions aren't just for learning and enpowerment.

There are times we are looking for answers to hard
questions. These are times where the rational mind
is wholly inadequate. Too many complex variables
and too many unknowns.

What we need are creative, inspired ideas.

How are we going to beat our cross town rival when
they have two all-state division one prospects on
their roster?

Where are we going to get a downpayment for that
house we want?

How are we going win with 2 seconds on the clock
needing to go the length of the floor knowing our
best shooter has fouled out?

I'm going to let you in on a big secret, and I hope you
use it often. It's something the most creative people
in history have used extensively. I know Mozart did,
for example.

You need to pose your brain-teasers to your
subconscious and then do an activity where your
conscious mind can't work on your problem. Do it
before going to bed, before going on a walk, before
taking a shower, before meditating, before playing
video games, etc.

That's it. Pose the questions. Then let your
subconscious work on them. You go about your
business then the next time you quiet your mind
you should be able to find some answers, and
usually they will be doozies.

You may wonder what this has to do with shooting.
It has to do with mental attitude. It has to do with
freeing up your mind to focus on the task at hand.
If you have unresolved questions bothering you can
you really concentrate on shooting your best? I can't.

How many times have you heard of a good player
having a bad shooting night, and find out later they
were struggling with some ongoing personal problem.
Maybe if they had known how to let their inner
wisdom take over, they wouldn't have had to worry
on the outside.

Shoot for the Stars,

Dean - The Dean of Hoops

P.S. Another brilliant way to clear your mind of it's
cobwebs is through positively charged energizing
music. Find out how the secret power of music can
enhance your athletic performance at:

http://www.deandelker.com/secret_power.html

Copyright, Delker Enterprises, Inc. 2006

Go 'All In' The Mental Game

Coach Kenny Sacht from the great state of Idaho
emailed today with some great ideas on using your
mind to become a better shooter, and a better player,
period.

Kenny was very successful as a 5'10" - 165 lb athlete
when he competed, and he says without a doubt
mental conditioning gave him the edge he needed to
excel, and he teaches his teams to do the same. At
first his new players might look at him like a dog at
a new bowl, but when they see results they are
hooked.

He did bring up another interesting point too, and I'll
let him tell it:

"Check this out though: In surveys done with
coaches something like 80-90% of coaches say
mental conditioning/sports psychology is very
important. Yet when asked how much time they
spend on the mental game, very few actually did!"

I've been wondering WHY all day, and the only
answer I can think of is those coaches don't feel
qualified or confident to lead their charges in that
direction.

And I'm assuming their programs couldn't afford
to bring in a sports psychologist.

I know I keep dangling the carrot in front of you,
but that's why Stan Kellner's new shooting DVD
and overall basketball cybernetics program is going
to be so valuable to you, and that's also why I'm so
excited about it.

He gives you step by step directions for winning the
mental game and blasting through your self-imposed
limits. I talked to Stan last night, and he said the DVD's
are finished, and he's just waiting on the artwork and
packaging to be done. That's great news.

You need to start saving your allowances for this one.
No excuses. And if you say you can't afford it, you're
asking yourself the wrong question. The only valid
question in your mind should be, "Just how can I
afford it?" That will spark your creativity and get the
job done.

Shoot for the Stars,

Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

P.S. While you're saving for Stan's materials I'm sure
you could spring for some "Captains of Crush" industrial
strength hand grippers from John Wood at Functional
Hand Strength headquarters. See what you're missing
today at:

http://www.deandelker.com/captains_of_crush.html

Copyright 2006 Delker Enterprises, Inc.

Improve Your Shot While You Sleep

You may find this hard to believe, but you can
program your mind to be a better shooter while you
sleep at night.

Now, before you write me off as a quack just listen
for a minute. Experiment with yourself and see.

Studies have shown mentally rehearsing freethrows
is almost as effective as actually doing the physical
repetitions. What you want to do is both because
each will amplify the results of the other.

One of the best times to do this mental practicing is
right before bed because your mind can relax and
the subconscious mind is more available to you.

Don't do it laying in bed though. You'll fall asleep. Sit
quietly and relax your muscles progressively from
head to toe, (or from toe to head) in conjuction with
deep breathing. Then imagine yourself with as
much detail as possible shooting freethrows,
jumpshots off the pass, off the dribble, off the
screen, (or whatever you want to work on) with
good form and perfect results.

Make it real as you can, complete with the roar of
the crowd, the pressure, the smack talking, and
smell, and all the feelings you would feel in reality.
You can watch yourself like on a screen, or you can
jump into your body and see everything unfold from
behind your eyes. Or you might want to visualize
someone you know is a good shooter first, then jump
into their skin. All will benefit you in different ways.

You can also have keywords you say as you shoot
which will help trigger a consistent response. Keep
going till you feel you can't miss. Then get in bed
and sleep like a log.

When you practice physically you can use
visualization there too. See the ball going in before
you shoot, and try to summon the same success
emotions from your nightly mental practices. Try
this for 30 days and let me know how much your
shooting percentages improve.

Dr. Hal Wissel's shooting DVD - Confidence, Rhythm,
and Mechanics give you a great pattern to follow for
shot mechanics to mentally practice.

I'm still working on the display page, but you can get
a head-start and order it now at:

http://www.deandelker.com/wissel_order.html

Shoot for the Stars,

Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

P.S. Both of Coach Tom Nordland's Swish videos are
also ideal for implanting good shot form in your brain.
Tom says Swish 2 has more detail so I would
recommend that first, but Swish 1 is very upbeat and
inspirational too. I'm sure you can make good use of
either or both at:

http://www.deandelker.com/products.html

Copyright, Delker Enterprises, Inc. 2006

What's That You Say

When you're practicing or playing hoops what kind of
questions run through your mind?

Are they questions that cut yourself down?

How could I be so stupid?
What kind of shot was that?
What am I going to screw up next?
How soon is coach going to yank me?
Am I ever going to get this right?

We can really be cruel to ourselves. I have a friend that
calls that internal terrorism, and believe me it is
damaging. Thoughts release chemicals in the body, and
the ones that are released with self-destructive
questions like that are bad news.

Studies have proven when people are exposed to rotten,
nasty, ugly pictures that depressive, toxic chemicals are
released in the body on the spot.

And of course, that starts a vicious cycle. The worse the
body feels the easier it is to focus on what is wrong, and
the more depressants are released. No wonder your
shooting goes in the tank in a hurry when you start
thinking like that.

You can reverse the process though by focusing on the
outcome you want, and by asking yourself enpowering
questions. Think about it.

You're going have to stop focusing on what you don't
want too. What you focus on gets magnified. There
are techniques for letting go of your fears and worries
and limiting beliefs you'll want to learn.

For instance, you can visualize missing a critical shot
and how bad you would feel on an LCD screen like an
IPOD Nano, then mentally hit the erase or cancel
button and watch the feeling's power drain away.
Then replace it with the winning shot you want to
see happen, and the subsequent jubilation you would
feel.

The Psycho-Cybernetics Foundation's "Zero
Resistance Living" course teaches you dozens and
dozens of ways to see yourself with kind eyes, and
to redirect your negative, self-destructive internal
programming. Just one of these techniques could
literally change the course of your life forever, and
you'll learn 81 of them.

See what a difference this 500+ page study guide/
workbook with 12 CDs can make in your life by
checking out:

http://www.deandelker.com/zero_resistance.html

Shoot for the Stars

Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

P.S. Dr. Hal Wissel's new DVD, "Basketball Shooting:
Confidence, Rhythmn, & Mechanics" teaches you the
kind of self-talk and enpowering questions that will
make you a professional at shooting. Hal has a
program for turning around your shooting in 21 days
if you have a couple of hours a day to devote to it.
Perfect for the summer.

Basketball Hall of Fame coach Hubie Brown has this
to say about Coach Wissel:

"He ignites the spirit for improvement. Hal has the
ability to crystallize situations, and then select the
correct teaching technique to achieve maximum
success."

I'm still working on a page describing Coach Wissel's,
offerings in more detail, but if you're a real go-getter
who can't wait for that - order it now at:

http://www.deandelker.com/wissel_order.html

You will be very glad you did.

Copyright, Delker Enterprises, Inc. 2006

That's a Good Question

One of the top bumper stickers of the 60's was this:

Question Authority

That's not great advice because what it really means
is don't trust anybody in authority. Don't believe
them. Whatever they say, they're lying. And that's
not questioning at all. Questioning looks for answers.
That's paranoia.

It IS often healthy though to question the status quo,
and ask why you are doing something the way you do.
That's an example of a good question.

So one critera of a good question is you really want an
answer.

Like the young wife who always cut off the end of her
Christmas ham. One year hubby asked her why, and
she didn't have an answer. She promptly rang her
mother on the phone and asked her.

Of course, she didn't know either. That's just the way
her mother had always done it. Finally they got hold
of grandma and asked her.

Fortunately she was able to enlighten them. It turns
out all she had was a medium sized roasting pan, and
she had to cut off the end of the ham to get it in the
pan.

Your number one question as a shooter is going to be,

"How can I become a better shooter?"

or something more specific like,

"How can I raise my free throw shooting percentage?"

When you're ready to hear the answers I have a new
resource for you. It's Dr. Hal Wissel's shooting DVD -
Basketball Shooting: Confidence, Rhythm, &
Mechanics.

Filmed at one of his "Shoot It Better" mini-camps
the video shows him and his staff working with NBA
prospects. Hal uses positive self-talk and keywords
to help you develop confidence, shooting rhythm and
timing, and good shooting mechanics. Especially
valuable are sections on correcting your own shot,
and developing a pro-style quick release.

Add this one to your arsenal now by going to:

http://www.deandelker.com/wissel_order.html

Shoot for the Stars,

Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

P.S. Why are you such a confident shooter?

Copyright, Delker Enterprises, Inc. 2006

How To Learn Anything & Everything

I had six honest serving men - they taught me all I
knew: Their names were Where and What and
When and Why and How and Who.

- Rudyard Kipling

I used to read that and think Kipling must have been
a reporter, but I was re-reading it the other day, and
I noticed something new. Did you catch it?

If not, read it again. There's a blockbuster statement
in those lines of verse.

Kipling is saying everything he's EVER learned he
learned through questions.

So if you're paying attention what's going through
your mind right now?

How could that be true?
How can he say that?
Could that be true?
Who made Kipling the expert anyway?
Are you sure that's how it works?
Could it be that simple?

Do you see how that proves my point?

It's been said many times the mind thinks in pictures.
I believe that, but the mind also learns, and
grows, and understands by asking and answering
questions. Not always in the conscious mind though.
Often it's the sub-conscious that takes over the task
of finding answers. And that is a good thing if you are
asking good, enpowering questions.

Start paying attention to your thoughts because it's
happening all the time.

Is it really? How can I prove this guy wrong? What if
I said ...?

Are you with me?

What kind of questions are you asking yourself when you
are shooting baskets? What are you giving your sub-
conscious to work with in your pre-game mental
preparations.

Think about it, and we'll talk more tomorrow.

Tom Nordland's oddessy into teaching shooting
started with questions. Why had he been so
successful in high school, and why had he lost his
touch in college? What were the essentials of good
shooting? And how could he teach others what he
had learned?

Tom's Swish Method of Shooting is an eye-opener and
anyone who's ever put it into practice has improved
their shooting. It doesn't cover shooting mechanics in
any kind of detail. It just hits on what you need to know
to begin to develop a repeatable, dependible shot.

Tom knew it wasn't perfect, but it represented what
he'd learned up to that point. That's why over a 7 year
period he kept asking himself what was missing, what
could be improved, what had he glossed over, etc.

That's why he considers his latest creation Swish 2 to
be far superior. Is Swish 2 perfect though? No, but
you don't need perfect. You just need to improve. See
what you're missing now at:

http://www.deandelker.com/swish2.html

Shoot for the Stars

Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

P.S. Why are you such a great shooter?

Let It Go To Your Head

You probably know a hypochondriac or two. Somebody
who's always sick, or on the verge of it, and you're
pretty sure they brought most of it on themselves by
continually expecting the worse and blowing up any
little ailments into big deals.

I always hope these people get healthy, but I have to
admit I wonder sometimes if they really want to.
They say they do, but if they were in good health they
wouldn't get the attention they do when they're sick.
Neither could they play the victim card all the time.
Anyway, we often say of people like that,

"It's all in their head."

Well, duh. Now we mean that in the negative sense,
but it's not necessarily bad that something is in your
head. It depends what's in your head. Most of (if not
all) the time good shooting, health, winning, prosperity,
and success are "in your head" too.

When Steve Spurrier was hired as the football coach for
the University of Florida in the early 90's his first
priority was to create a winning mentality in his Gator
team. When the game was on the line he wanted them
to fully expect to pull it out and win.

You couldn't say the Gators were losers because they
had had successful seasons, but they weren't exactly
winners either. They had never won the SEC
Championship, for example. No matter how much talent
they amassed they seemed to always find a way to shoot
themselves in the foot just enough to watch the title slip
away, and the fan's eternal rallying cry was,

"Maybe Next Year".

Before Coach Spurrier was lured away from UF to pro
football he had produced 6 official SEC Championships,
missed another his first year because he inherited
probation, and had led the Gators to their first ever
National Championship in football. Not bad, huh?

The highest levels of success in sport, in the money
game, in relationships, in spiritual growth, and in life
itself come not so much from skill, training, and ability
as they do from the mindset of the person. What sets
the champion apart is the way he thinks, his mental
game, his attitude, his self-confidence, and the way he
talks to him or herself and the world.

So along with good shooting mechanics and the muscle
memory that comes from repetition, if you are going to
compete against the best and come out on top you must
also decide to develop the mindset of a great shooter.

The absolute best way I know to do that is through the
Psycho-Cybernetics Foundation's motherlode program ,
"Zero Resistance Living".

Whatever purpose or dream you are called to, this
course will help you get there without struggling and
striving. Instead you'll learn how to use the powerful
mental tools you already have at your disposal. Then
the work you do will be superproductive.

You can do it the hard way, or you can learn to minimize
life's resistances. The choice is up to you. Learn more at:

http://www.deandelker.com/zero_resistance.html

Shoot For The Stars,

Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

P.S. For cybernetics customized to boost hoops results
Stan Kellner's book

"Beyond The Absolute Limit"

is a must for you. I will be carrying it along with Stan's
new shooting DVD

"How to Become a Prime Time Shooting Machine"

is released. Believe me. You'll be the first to know.

Copyright, Delker Enterprises, Inc. 2006

Encore - Encore

My friend and speed coach Tim Kauppinen reminded
me of something yesterday. He was talking about a
study by psychologist Albert Mehrabian which showed
when you hear something once you only remember 10%
of it after 30 days. But when you hear it 6 times you'll
remember around 90% of it after the same 30 days.

That says to me in these emails it's OK, and even
desirable for me to repeat myself. You'll find that's
often what I do. Don't think it's because I've lost my
marbles though. It will be on purpose and, it will be
for your benefit.

There are a lot of common threads that run through
success whether it be in sports, in business, in the
Spirit, relationships, or in life itself. And one of those
threads is that the best of the best are the ones who
do the fundamentals consistently.

So you see I will need to repeat many themes over
and over. Hopefully I'll be entertaining and learning-
friendly, and it will make your shooting and your life
better in many ways.

So let me repeat my recommendation for Coach Tom
Nordland's new Swish 2 DVD. Swish 2 covers
everything Tom's learned about shooting, and it's
geared toward you learning everything he knows to
the extent you could teach it to someone else. He calls
it his masterpiece, and I think you will too. The only
way to know for sure though is to check it out at:

http://www.deandelker.com/swish2.html

Shoot for the Stars,

Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

P.S. If you want Swish 2 or both of Tom's DVDs, and your
first thought is, "I would like to, but really I can't afford it",
instead of letting that stand in your way way how 'bout
asking yourself one simple little question. And don't be
afraid to repeat it either.

The question is, "HOW can I afford it?"

If you are sincere and keep repeating that question, your
inner man will go to work to find solutions for you. Be on
the lookout when they come. I think you will be amazed
and you will have learned a very valuable lesson.

Copyright, Delker Enterprises, Inc. 2006

I Owe Texas An Apology

I was reading over one of my old newsletters, and I
found a mistake. I was talking about how defenders
had been able to nearly mug shooters sometimes, and
how the officiating emphasis was changing in the NBA.

Rick Allison who spearheads the Lone Star Basketball
Academy in Ft. Worth Texas told me it hadn't changed
in the college game yet, and after watching the NCAA
tournament this year he was jokingly "seriously
considering adding martial arts to my basketball
curriculum."

The mistake I made was in giving you the wrong
address for Rick's website. If you tried to go where I
sent you and got a 'Page Not Found' error, forgive
me. The true url is:

http://www.lonestarbasketball.com/

Lone Star uses the high tech Dartfish video replay
system to accelerate skill development and
performance so if you are local see what they have
to offer. Even if you aren't, you're going to want to
find out more about their "Pure Shooter League"
which is a competition for shooters. Rick has team
competitions, individual certifications, and much
more.

In any endeavor who you associate with has a
huge effect on you. I you hang around winners and
good people who love shooting and have a passion
for the game of basketball you can't help but be
better. Not only will you pick up tips, but you will
build confidence, absorb the shooters mentality,
encourage one another, etc. I think Rick's Pure
Shooter concept is brilliant. Call him at
817-801-6554 or email
train@lonestarbasketball.com.

Maybe you can start a league where you live.

Shoot For The Stars,

Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

P.S. A perfect complement to the Captains of Crush
hand grippers is Greg Irwin's 'Finger Fitness:
Strength and Coordination Exercises for the
Fingers and Hands'

Finger Fitness will give you the pinpoint control you
need to be a magic shooter and a magic ball handler.
Almost everything you do begins with the hands.
Learn how to make yours into finely tuned
instruments at:

http://www.deandelker.com/finger_fitness.html

Copyright, Delker Enterprises, Inc. 2006

You Can Bank On This

Late congratulations to the Miami Heat on their NBA title. I
did watch the clinching game. I'm very glad Alonzo Mourning's
belief, patience, and hard work were so well rewarded, and I'm
a big fan of the prototype blue collar player, ex-Gator Udonis
Haslem.

Of course Shaq is always entertaining even if he still can't hit a
free throw. Our local paper carried a story where Pat Riley said
Shaquille has worked with hundreds of shot coaches and sports
psychologists during his career. He's had some improvement at
times, but he's in a slump now.

I bet he hasn't tried Stan Kellner's "Ultimate Shooting Method"
though because what Stan does is in a league by itself. Not that
other shooting coaches aren't great and don't have a lot to impart.
It's just that I don't think people are getting what Stan teaches
anywhere else.

I hate to keep teasing you with it because it's still not quite out
yet, but I just can't stop thinking about it. BTW, if any of you out
there have a connection with Shaq I'd like to send him Stan's
DVD when it comes out. Let me know.

Back to the Heat. I'm also a big Dwayne Wade fan. Ever since he
dropped a triple double on a good University of Kentucky team in
the NCAA regional finals in 2003 I knew he could play. I didn't
think he'd mature in the NBA as fast as he did, but he has
certainly arrived now.

One thing I noticed though. The man shoots bank shots better
than anybody I can remember. He had some works of beauty off
the glass. Is that something you work on in your practice time? I
would highly recommend it after seeing Wade work his magic vs
Dallas.

Happy Independence Day for those of you in the United States,
and let freedom ring everywhere in the world.

Shoot for the Stars,

Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

P.S. Don't forget about John Wood and his Captains of Crush hand
grippers. I am seeing a difference in my personal shooting practice.
The stronger my hands feel, the more confident I feel. If you're an
athlete, stronger hands will benefit you many, many times over.
Maybe your hands are fine the way they are, maybe not. Only
you can tell. To make an informed decision though check out :

http://www.deandelker.com/captains_of_crush.html

Copyright, Delker Enterprises, Inc. 2006

You Are Twice As Good As ...

In their weekly meeting a couple of years ago a group of
young salesmen were treated to an unusual guest speaker,
an expert psychologist who specialized in human
performance. The speaker carefully laid out a case for the
men being at least twice as good at selling as they thought
they were. And it was all supported by recent scientific
studies.

Many scoffed, but one man in particular took the
information to heart and decided to test the expert's
theories. He started looking at what he had been doing.
The number of calls, the appointments, his closing rate,
and his sales figures. The glaring fact that jumped out
at him was he wasn't getting any large orders. After
thinking about it he realized he had been avoiding his
major league prospects thinking sales would be harder
in those places.

The salesman humbled himself though and made a
3-part decision.

1). He would get in front of those customers who could place
large volume orders.

2). He would make more calls per day.

3). He would work every day on sharpening his sales
skills.

At the end of 3 months do you think the man measured
twice as good as he had expected? Not exactly, but in
the last month of his experiment he closed 10 times the
amount of business he had before getting started.

We live in a world where limiting beliefs are a fact of life.
We rarely accomplish more than we think we can. This
is where a good coach is worth his weight in gold because
he knows from experience you are almost always capable
of more than you believe you can do. If he's good he will
help build belief in you, and then help get it out of you too.

Do you believe you can be a 90+% free throw shooter,
for example? The information is out there. Every year
players do it, but you won't even seriously try unless
you believe you can.

Every year in his "Yes, I Can" basketball camps Stan
Kellner helps hundreds of players break through their
self-imposed limitations and astound even themselves
through cybernetic training, i.e. through using the built
in mechanisms of their minds, wills, and emotions.

I'm really pumped up to be able to offer you Stan's new
DVD called "The Ultimate Shooting Method". As soon
as it's back from the production house I will let you
know. Till then you'll just have to use your creative
imagination to experience how good it is.

Shoot For The Stars,

Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

P.S Have you checked out yet the ultimate in
cybernetics yet. It applies to far more than athletics,
of course, but if you want to get the most out of your
life, you can not beat this as a step-by-step mental
programming technology. Catch it today at:

http://www.deandelker.com/zero_resistance.html

Copyright, Delker Enterprises, Inc. 2006

Living The American Dream

The 4th of July is about history, and freedoms, but it's also
all about the birth of the American dream. You may think
the American dream is having a big house, and a good job.
It's so much more than that because we all have dreams, of
all kinds. The greatest thing about the whole deal is you and
I get to add our part to it.

I hope as a shooter you have dreams too. Shooting is all
about hitting goals - hitting targets - but if those baskets
aren't leading you to something larger than yourself, a
dream as I'm calling it, they probably won't satisfy you
long term, and it will build frustration with your team
and coach.

If you do have a dream though it will help you be a better
shooter. If you have a valuable "WHY" you will work harder,
work smarter, believe in yourself more deeply.

Not that you'll necessarily know the end from the beginning.
Do you think Dr. James Naismith had any idea the game he
invented at the YMCA in Springfield, Mass in 1891 would
grow to be a game enjoyed by millions? After all he was just
trying to develop a winter pasttime for the young men he
was training.

In 1886 a little girl named Hattie May Wiatt lived in poverty
near a church in Philadelphia. She liked to go to Sunday school,
but sometimes it was so crowded they had to turn her away.
One of those times the pastor stopped to talk to her, and that
day a dream was born. The pastor told her the time would
come when they would have buildings big enough they'd never
have to turn little girls away.

A few years later young Hattie got tragically sick and died, and
the pastor was called upon to do her funeral. In talking to her
mother he had found out Hattie had been saving money in a
little red purse to go toward building a bigger church. When they
looked, the purse held 57 cents.

When the pastor shared Hattie's story with his congregation they
were able to raise $250, a tidy sum in those days. Not only that,
but some of the members continued Hattie's inspired vision and
before they were Philadelphia had not only a bigger Sunday
school, but also Good Samaritan Hospital and Temple University.
How different would the basketball landscape look without John
Chaney's matchup zone? Thank you Hattie.

How's that for the power of a dream.

If you dream of championships be sure to check out Coach Tom
Nordland's Swish videos. He led his Minnesota high school team
to two straight state championships, and now he has a vision to
bring great shooting to the masses. See what I mean at:

http://www.deandelker.com/swish2.html

Shoot for the Stars,

Dean - The Dean of Shooting Hoops

Copyright, Delker Enterprises, Inc. 2006