The Reality of the "Dip"

In this episode of The Coach Dave Love Podcast, we dive into one of the most polarizing shooting mechanics in basketball: the Dip.

Once seen as a bad habit to eliminate, the pendulum has now swung in the opposite direction—some coaches actively teach it. But what's the science behind it? What are the trade-offs when players dip versus when they don’t? And how can coaches make informed decisions rather than rely on trends?

Dave and Matt explore:

• What the dip does (and doesn't) accomplish from a physics perspective

• How it fits within Dave’s Sandbox Analogy of shooting mechanics

• How coaches can help players explore the dip more intentionally and effectively

Plus: we feature our first-ever listener question! Want to be next? Record a voice note with your name, location, and question and email it to: [email protected]

Referenced blogs:

• The Physics of the Basketball Dip

• Exploring the Sandbox: Rethinking Skill in Basketball Shooting