FOUL SHOOTING PRACTICE AND CONTEST - AUG 2010 TO AUG 2011
BACKGROUND
About May 2009 I picked up a basketball and shot it for the first time in about 10 years.  It took 7 shots before I made one.  First six were all short.  Decided to practice some
and enter a foul shooting contest at the gym.  I was making about 30% of my shots in practice but was 0-5 with one air ball in the contest in August 2009.  I practiced about 4
months before the August 2010 contest shooting about 50 shots three times a week.  I was hitting about 45% of my shots and in the contest I was again 0-5 with no
air balls.
I couldn't believe I shot so poorly, thus I started shooting shots the day after the contest and recorded my stats on a spreadsheet.  I averaged 757 shots a month through
June 2011.
Starting July 1, 2011 I started shooting 100 shots a day which I continued through August 10th, the day before the contest.  The only exception was a day of 200 and one day
of 150 and one day off (Aug 6th).  The results of all shots taken at the gym and Xavier (basket in my tract) below.  Did not count one day in Irvine at a tough basket when I
shot 56%.
RESULTS OF FOUL SHOOTING - LAST 31 DAYS
						------------XAVIER------------
DATES						MADE	ATT.	%
7-10-11/8-10-11						1508	1940	77.7
7-19-11/8-10-11						1027	1310	78.4
7-28-11/8-10-11						531	700	75.9
RECAP OF FOUL SHOOTING FOR LAST YEAR
The shots at the HB Fitness Center below were taken during days of good weather, thus conditions and basket was the same for each month.  The total stats included
shots taken during poor weather at the fitness center and all shots taken at three other places I practiced.
		HB Fit Ctr
	MADE DURING GOOD WEATHER						TOTAL
MONTH	Made	Attempted	%			Made	Attempted	%
Aug-10	106	210	50.48%			106	210	50.48%
Sep-10	310	500	62.00%			404	700	57.71%
Oct-10	304	470	64.68%			451	710	63.52%
Nov-10	341	510	66.86%			477	750	63.60%
Dec-10	304	450	67.56%			750	1170	64.10%
Jan-11	160	250	64.00%			348	575	60.52%
Feb-11	328	450	72.89%			598	930	64.30%
Mar-11	478	710	67.32%			635	960	66.15%
Apr-11	265	400	66.25%			385	600	64.17%
May-11	463	710	65.21%			588	910	64.62%
Jun-11	412	660	62.42%			513	810	63.33%
Jul-11	763	1070	71.31%			2227	3010	73.99%
Aug-11	296	400	74.00%			685	950	72.11%
TOTAL	4,530	6,790	66.72%			8167	12285	66.48%
SETBACKS (INJURIES MOSTLY)
I suffered several injuries during the year.  In December I fell hard on my knee chasing an errant foul shot on Xavier. I didn't shoot foul shots for 3 weeks until I could bend
the knee without hurting. Later the left half of my left hand became numb.  Doctor said it was Ulnar nerve damage and recommended surgery.  I modified my exercies
(stopped push ups, stopped some wieghts in gym and decreased foul shooting. I twice stopped foul shooting for 10 days both of which helped the ulnar nerve and once to
rest a sore shoulder muscle that didn't help.  Shoulder didn't bother me shooting foul shots.  I would think the numbness in left hand would hurt foul shooting but never
seemed to.  Couldn't type with little finger for a month or two.  By Aug 11 hand was about 98% ok and typing was 100%.  I also cracked my windshield when errant shot hit
windshield of Honda while shooting on Xavier costing $120 replacement.
AUGUST 11, 2011 FOUL SHOOTING CONTEST
Fifthteen entered the contest held at the Boeing Fitness Center on Bolsa Chica in Huntington Beach.   All were estimated between 30 and 55 with the exception
of a 72 year old guy.  I arrived at 11 AM an hour before the start and shot 50 shots.  Then I would shoot about 5 shots every 10 minutes to stay sharp until 11:50.  Then I shot
a couple shots every minute.  I was concerned about the first couple of shots each round as I found it tough to start shooting again after a 5-10 minute break.
FIRST ROUND:  Each contestant had to make 3 of 5 to advance to round 2.  I shot first (volunteered) since I was still warm.  Made the first 3 shots to advance.  11 of 15
advanced to 2nd round.
SECOND ROUND:  Each contestant had to make 5 of 10 shots to advance to round 3.  I missed first two shots but finished 7 of 10 to advance.  Eight of advanced to round three.
THIRD ROUND:  Each contestant had to make 7 of 10 shots to advance to championship round.  I made 1 of first 4 shots (all misses were close)and finished 6 of 10 to drop
out of contest.  Five made at least 7 shots to advance.  Other two players not advancing made 5 shots thus I finished 6th out of 15.
FOURTH ROUND:  Winner was shooter who made the most of 10 shots.  Two made eight, one made six shots and two made 1 of 4 thus were eliminated.  Tie was between
two players was broke by each shooting 5 shots.  Both made 3.  Then they alternated shots until one made and one missed.  Both made first shot but both missed 2nd and
3rd shot before one made 4th shot to win.
CONCLUSION:  Coordinator thought I shot well, especially after prior two years.  He thought and several mentioned to him how smooth my shot was.  He also noted that
my misses were close.  I was 16 for 23 for shots taken in the contest (69.6%).  I was disappointed that I didn't make 7 shots in round 3.  But I probably wouldn't have made 8
shots in round 4, but certainly could have. I will shoot some foul shot occasionally preparing for next year and ramp up a month or two before the contest.  Coordinator also
thought group of 15 were better shooters than in the past.
Slag 8-13-11