The Complete Playbook On Everything Shooting Drills Basketball!

Alright, folks, let’s talk about shooting drill basketball. If you’re like me, you know that nothing beats the swish of a perfect shot. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to sharpen your skills, I’ve got a bunch of drills that will help you become a real sharpshooter. So, grab your ball, find a hoop, and let’s get to it!

Foundational Skills for Young Shooters: The Four L’s

If you’re coaching young players, forget about perfect form at first. It’s all about making shots and having fun! I’m talking about the “Four L’s”: Load, Laces, Lift, and Line. These are the building blocks that will set your young players up for success, and it’s all about generating power.

• Load: Think of loading a bow and arrow. You’ve got to get low to generate power. Catch the ball, drop your hips, and load up. It’s like storing energy for that perfect release.
• Laces: This is about putting force down the center line of the ball. Line up your shooting hand on the laces for a straight shot.
• Lift: Get your hand under the ball and lift it quickly. This creates that smooth, one-handed shot.
• Line: Point your “weapon” (your arm) straight at the target. It’s all about aiming true.

The Rocker Drill

To help develop rhythm and efficient energy transfer, I find the rocker drill to be extremely useful. It’s all about linking your ankles to your fingertips.

• Maintain a quiet eye and quiet hips.
• Rock from your heels to your toes.
• Focus on late wrist extension.
• Freeze your finish.

Building an Elite Shot: Key Techniques

Now, let’s move on to some techniques that will help you build an elite shot. It’s not just about throwing the ball up there; it’s about precision and consistency.

The Importance of a Solid Base

• Start with your feet shoulder-width apart.
• Your strong foot should be slightly in front.
• This helps maintain balance and keeps your shoulders square.
• Avoid twisting your shoulders.

Hand Placement and Control

• Spread your fingers and use your fingertips and finger pads for control.
• Focus on releasing the ball with your middle and index fingers.
• Keep your guide hand off to the side, not directly on the ball.
• The guide hand is just there to keep the ball stable.

The Loaded Wrist and Shot Path

• Load your wrist by rolling the ball up.
• This ensures your hand is underneath the ball for a straight shot.
• Maintain a consistent shot path from your hip to your eyebrow.
• Roll out drills help with this.

Aiming and Arc

• Aim up and over the front of the rim.
• Maintain a high follow-through with your elbow above your eyebrow.
• This creates a better arc and increases your chances of making the shot.

Shooting Drills to Fine-Tune Your Skills

Now, let’s get into some specific drills that will help you fine-tune your shooting skills.

Seven Spot Shooting

• Use cones to mark seven shooting spots around the half-court.
• Divide players into two teams.
• Each team must sink three buckets from each spot to advance.
• Great for practicing shots from various locations.

Minute to Win It

• Set a target number of baskets to score in one minute.
• Divide players into two teams.
• Players take turns shooting, rebounding, and passing.
• This drill helps with shooting under pressure.

Good Shot, Great Shot

• Set up shooting spots around the floor.
• Divide players into offense and defense.
• Offensive players shoot or pass without dribbling.
• Award one point for a contested shot and two points for a wide-open shot.
• Focuses on finding open teammates.

Scoring Duos

• Pair up players and set up cones on the three-point line.
• Pairs perform two-player offensive sets, starting with dribble handoffs.
• Progress to jumpers and backdoor cuts.
• Enhances teamwork and offensive coordination.

2-on-1

• Practice 2 on 1 situations.
• This drill helps with creating space for open shots.
• The offense practices drawing defenders.

Baseball Shooting

• Shooters line up at the free throw line, and runners sprint around cones.
• Shooters try to sink three baskets before the runner completes a lap.
• A fun way to practice shooting under pressure.

Rap Battle

• Players pump the ball, wrap it around their waist, and race to score.
• Great for practicing layups and jump shots under pressure.
• This drill helps with quickness and ball handling.

Flying Numbers

• Call out numbers, and those players scrimmage.
• Practice playing with different numbers of players.
• Helps with transition play and adapting to mismatches.

Quick Draw

• Players dribble and shoot in response to called directions.
• Practice reacting quickly and making clutch shots.
• This drill enhances reaction time and shooting accuracy.

Frequent Flyers

• Players dribble from cones to the basket, scoring from different angles.
• Practice timing shots and getting past defenders.
• Great for working on offensive moves.

Drills to Fix Your Shot

• Ball Raises: Improves fluidity in your shot.
• Over the Backboard: Corrects a flat arc.
• Side of the Backboard: Straightens your follow-through.
• Ball and Foot Pause Shot: Enhances balance.

Shot Surgery: Flaw-Fixing Fire Drills

Even Steph Curry airballs sometimes. The difference? Elite shooters diagnose their misses like detectives and fix them. Here’s your toolkit to autopsy your shot and rebuild it stronger:

Fluidity Fix: Ball Raises

The Problem: Your shot feels robotic, like tossing a brick.
The Cure: Start low, cradle the ball like a baby bird, and raise it smoothly from hip to release point—no jerky motions. Sink into your stance, then rise like a spring-loaded launcher. Repeat until your motion feels snappy, not slappy.

Arc Adjustment: Over-the-Backboard Shots

The Problem: Your shot’s flatter than a pancake.
The Cure: Channel your inner catapult. Stand behind the backboard and toss the ball high enough to clear it, landing softly on the other side. This forces you to create a rainbow arc—no line drives allowed.

Laser Focus: Side-of-Backboard Precision

The Problem: Your follow-through wobbles like a drunk flamingo.
The Cure: Hug the side of the backboard. Shoot through the narrow gap between the board’s edge and the rim. If your elbow flares or your wrist twists? The board swats your shot. Master this, and you’ll guide your shot like a straight arrow.

Power Pause: Ball-and-Foot Freeze

The Problem: You rush shots like a kid chasing the ice cream truck.
The Cure: Load the ball at your hip, then FREEZE mid-motion for 2 seconds. Feel that coiled energy in your legs and wrist? Now explode upward. This drill turns rushed bricks into patient, balanced bullets.

Pro Tip: Film yourself. If your shot looks like a broken robot, these drills are your mechanic.

Transition Shooting Drills

• Baseline Drive: Practice pitch-ahead passes and drift shots.
• These drills help with game-like shots at game speed.

Key Takeaways

• Focus on the fundamentals, especially for young players.
• Practice consistently and with purpose.
• Pay attention to your base, hand placement, and shot path.
• Aim for a high arc and a smooth follow-through.
• Use a variety of drills to improve different aspects of your shooting.

By incorporating these drills and techniques into your training, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a more confident and effective shooter. Remember, it’s all about practice, patience, and having fun!