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Mike Meister

Mike Meister
Founder of Thunder Sports Institute (Irving, Tex.), Mike Meister has coached players and teams from the youth recreation level up to the professional ranks across the United States. He is currently the head coach and general manager of the Southwest Texas Mustangs in the United Basketball League.
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If you find yourself missing the backhand reverse layup pretty regularly, you’ve been taught incorrectly. Most coaches teach players to turn their body when shooting the reverse layup, creating too much extra movement. This not only lowers your odds of making...
A middle reverse layup is a layup with finesse. It entails three separate approaches and two finishes based on timing, personal comfort and the opponent’s defensive scheme. Middle Reverse Layup The examples are described as if you are attacking from the...
The backhand layup is the signature go-to of NBA All-Star Steve Nash. Yet its emphasis on footwork and the finish cause it to be misunderstood and generally neglected. For a backhand layup, you shoot the ball using your inside hand, making...
The power layup is another common layup variation. It’s a popular choice for younger players, because they have more shooting control. But it's very effective and a strong move when you're near the basket. (See also the Overhand Layup and Underhand...
In our second installment, we focus on the "true" layup or, as it's better known, the underhand layup. It's nicknamed the "true layup" because when you do it correctly, you actually lay the ball up to the backboard. Because it's...
In basketball, the layup is the highest percentage shot in the game. Many players know how to correctly execute only one or two variations. This limits their performance, because there are actually six basic layups: overhand layup, underhand layup, power...
From a pick-up game to a professional one, it's easy to see there are multiple ways to shoot a basketball. Most players believe that if they take a shot and the ball goes in, they must be shooting well enough....
If you want razor sharp offensive focus come game time, incorporate some partner drills into your training. Nothing will prepare you better and improve your shooting consistency more than working with a partner. Why? Because your shots, movements, communication and...
To be in shape for games, basketball players must condition themselves for long-lasting endurance. (See Three Ways to Get in Basketball Shape.) This requires more than running lots of long, straight-line sprints. It means the ability to change direction and to transition...
In the world of sports, there is always room for improvement—not just for athletes, but also for coaches. Many coaches could profit from a little fine-tuning. Having an impact on players requires more than deep knowledge of the game. Successful...