“I’ve pretty strong legs” – Caitlin Clark claims soccer training influenced her basketball shooting mechanics
Caitlin Clark has been setting scoring records in college and the WNBA with impressive shooting from behind the arc. She holds the NCAA record for most points, men’s and women’s, highlighted by 548 makes from deep.
Clark made 122 3-pointers in her rookie season in the WNBA, six off the record set by Sabrina Ionescu in 2023. No player posed more threat than her while shooting from outside the rainbow arc. She averaged 28 feet when hoisting triples, much more than Steph Curry, Damian Lillard and Trae Young in the NBA.
During an interview with CBS, Caitlin Clark opened up about the mechanics of her 3-point shooting:
“People wouldn’t probably consider me very big to play in the WNBA. I’m not quite 6-foot, I’m not the strongest. I think having good balance is definitely the most important thing.
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“Use your legs, you can’t be all upper body. It’s gotta be your legs. I have pretty strong legs. I was a soccer player growing up. … That’s kind of where I got my leg strength.”
While at Dowling Catholic High School, Caitlin Clark played soccer and basketball. It was only in her junior year that she gave up the former for the latter. She credits two years of the “beautiful game” for her foundation behind 3-point shooting skills.
Caitlin Clark prefers shooting off the dribble
As a point guard, Caitlin Clark had to create a room for herself. Rarely does she get the chance to spot up and receive a pass before shooting 3-pointers.
Here’s what the Indiana Fever star had to say in the CBS interview about her shot preference:
“I like it better. Is that crazy? It’s just something I’m used to. A lot of people would just catch and shoot. I like shooting off the dribble better which I’m pretty sure if you ask 10 people I would probably be the only one that would say that.
“It’s just something I’m more comfortable with. With the way people guard me, I don’t get a lot of catch-and-shoot 3s. I have to create for myself quite a bit.”
Despite opposing defenses around her, Caitlin Clark averaged 34.4% from behind the arc last season. The Connecticut Sun, however, made her struggle in the playoffs. She shot just 25% from long-range in two playoff games. Most basketball observers, though, expect her to be better following her rookie season.
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