The intense training session made the players quickly forget about the gossip they had just heard.
"Hook shot" is the main training content today.
Lu Yu jumped repeatedly under the basket, trying to find the feeling of using his wrist to push the basketball, but he was always a little short.
The hook shot is not a traditional shooting posture. It does not use the strength of the arm to push the basketball, but uses the skill of the wrist to flick the basketball into the basket. It is generally used more by the center of the team.
As a guard, Lu Yu rarely has the opportunity to compete with others under the basket, so he doesn't get many chances to use his skills. When he practices alone now, his movements always feel uncoordinated.
At this moment, Sun Meng walked over and, unusually, said, "You need someone taller than you to be on the defensive."
Sun Meng, as the team's small forward, is significantly taller than Lu Yu. Just standing there, she exerts considerable pressure on Lu Yu. "Shoot over me."
A single word awakened me from my dream.
Lu Yu's repeated simulations of a hook shot lack practical application. The very first step in a hook shot is to use your shoulder to block the opponent's position before you can follow up with a high jump and a spin.
Lu Yu turned his back to Sun Meng, using his shoulder to withstand the defensive pressure. He quickly turned and jumped.
"Smack!"
The basketball was easily knocked away.
Lu Yu attacked again in the same way, and failed again in the same way.
The usually mute girl has become quite talkative. Sun Meng's voice wasn't loud, but Lu Yu heard it clearly.
"In your matchups against Wang Jie, you often scored by pushing the ball into the basket. This is because she is not as tall as you, and you can easily take advantage of the time difference in your jump to push the ball into the basket."
Sun Meng stared at Lu Yu's elbow and said the key point: "When facing someone much taller than you, even if you use your wrist to push when your arm is bent, you will still be stopped."
Lu Yu's activity area is basically outside the three-point line. Her advantages are anticipating positioning, dribbling past opponents, and off-ball movement.
Throughout the game, she has always played a supporting role, dribbling the ball across half-court. She has never truly focused on scoring in high-intensity battles.
Sun Meng's few words pointed out her biggest weakness besides physical fitness, instantly waking Lu Yu up. Simply focusing on excellent defense and playmaking is clearly insufficient in today's intense league competition.
To break through, you must step out of your comfort zone.
As Lu Yu was pondering, he suddenly heard Sun Meng's inner thoughts.
If that day ever comes, and I can play alongside Lu Yu on the court, executing tactical plays involving transitions between forward and guard, I'll have absolutely no regrets.
Lu Yu was glad she could hear Sun Meng's thoughts. Otherwise, given Sun Meng's mute state on the first day, the two of them would never have been able to work together for long; both of them were incredibly cold-hearted. For two people who were cold on the outside but warm on the inside to take the first step towards each other would have been virtually impossible.
Lu Yu no longer hesitated and tried again.
Lu Yu dribbled the ball, perfectly positioned himself with his shoulder, quickly turned around, and jumped with his left hand raised high and his arm straight. The basketball passed over Sun Meng's palm, and Lu Yu applied a push with his wrist, and the basketball fell into the basket with this skillful force.
The taro landed on the ground. Sun Meng's smile was gentle, and her voice was soft. "Do you have no difference in how you shoot with your left or right hand?"
Lu Yu smiled in response: "Yes, I don't differentiate between my left and right hands when I shoot."
Sun Meng summarized, "This is a huge advantage. It's easy to confuse the opponent when attacking. When I just jumped, I habitually made your right-hand defense, causing me to miss your left-hand high point."
“Yes, whether it’s height or jumping ability, you are better than me. It’s really difficult for you to score in a 1v1.” Lu Yu walked to the rest area, unscrewed a bottle of water, and handed it to Sun Meng who was following behind him.
"Thank you." Sun Meng said shyly, "We can use this advantage to focus our development on the offensive direction."
Lu Yu understood what she meant. The brief contest had given Lu Yu some new insights into basketball. Even without the aid of mind-reading, she could score through direct confrontation.
Lu Yu used to willingly play the role of the team's liaison, serving as the team's shield. Now, she wants to break through her limitations and become the team's spear.
After the afternoon free training session ended, Lu Yu suppressed her excitement, calmed her thoughts, and stepped into Coach Wang's office.
The people in the office stirred up her calmed thoughts once again.
The aroma of tea wafts through the air.
Sitting opposite Coach Wang is...
Jiao Yuyin and Jiao Yuchen.
What kind of development is this? Third Young Master, could you perhaps give her a heads-up about your plans...?
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