THE BANK shot off the backboard is one of the highest-percentage shots in basketball (Shutterstock).

I don’t want to be one of those old geezer guys who long for the return of the single-wing football formation and who believe that the DH stands for Devilish Hell, but there are a few gems from the olden times that could use a revival.

The greatest coach in basketball history –– oh, here I go again – was UCLA’s John Wooden, who coached the Bruins to 11 NCAA championships in 13 years.

He had three tent-poles in his approach to the roundball. They were:
• on defense, always keep your arms and hands up;
• play zone (not a man-to-man) defense;
• on offense, when possible, go to the bank shot.

That first one is ignored widely. The second one was actually outlawed by the NBA because, frankly, it was too darned effective. Legal now, though.

The third one has practically disappeared as everybody – outside of a few smart fellas like Tim Duncan of the Spurs and Kobe Bryant of the Lakers – in top level b-ball either wanted to shoot the three or slam it down.

But – while it not may not get you on ESPN Sports Center – that third (and possibly better) offensive weapon is the moss-covered bank shot.

It’s simple. You aim at a spot above the basket, or to one side of the hoop and the bounce off the glass – the “carom” – tumbles the ball into the hoop. It’s a higher percentage shot than the traditional attempt, more difficult to block, is easier to perform when closely defended and its trajectory is such that – if you miss – the rebound’s path is more predictable, making the chances for an offensive rebound greater.

I know … it doesn’t look elegant. To the untrained eye, it may appear that the shot missed and it was dumb luck that you got credited with a field goal.

But as the old saying goes, “there’s only one good play in basketball; the ball goes in the basket.”