Good Basketball Shooting Drills

Whether you are a basketball coach or simply hope to improve your game, performing the correct shooting drills is vital to developing a consistent shot. Basketball shooting drills focus on repeating the same motion from different spots on the floor and off different off-ball maneuvers. As you perform numerous shots, you build muscle memory in your shoulders, legs and triceps. This ensures that you will have the same arm motion and release point on every shot.

  1. Floor Shooting Drill

    • This drill is especially effective for beginners and younger players. The drill emphasizes the wrist snap, the follow-through, and the elbow extension. When you shoot a basketball, you want to extend the shooting arm and snap the wrist as you release the ball. This creates backspin on the ball and increases the shooting arc, both of which improve shooting efficiency. To perform this drill, lay on the floor with a basketball at your chest. Shoot the basketball straight into the air using proper form and follow-through. Focus on extending the arm and visualize the ball going through the basket.

    Free Throw Drill

    • Although the free throw should be the easiest shot in basketball to make, many players have difficulties at the line. The reason for this is a lack of practice and concentration. The free throw drill will help you develop a good shooting rhythm at the line and will make your free throw shot as consistent as possible. To perform the drill, take 20 to 30 consecutive shots from the free throw line. It is not important how many you make. After you finish the warm-up, walk to the three-point line and back to the free throw line. This mimics real game scenarios and prepares you better for actual free throw attempts. Take three free throws, walk to the three-point line, and repeat the routine. In an actual game, players rarely attempt more than three consecutive free throws. Thus, the drill prepares you mentally for the free throw shot. To be successful at the shot, it is important that you develop a pre-shot routine that that you perform before every foul shot. The rhythm of the pre-shot routine will make your shot more consistent because it will force you to repeat the same motions each time.

    Off-Ball Drill

    • The off-ball drill is great for guards and forwards. During the course of a game, it is difficult for a player to simply dribble up to a spot on the floor and shoot a jumper. Rather, many baskets are the result of set plays in which players move around to get themselves open for a pass. The off-ball drill teaches this skill by getting you accustomed to running around before shooting a shot. Pick a spot on the floor and walk about 10 feet away from it. Have a partner standing with the ball under the hoop. As you run up to the selected spot, the partner will pass you the ball so that you catch it as you reach your location. As soon as you get the ball, use proper shooting form to elevate into the shot. It is not necessary to rush the shot. Rather, shoot in a fluid motion and make an effort to use the correct technique. After you have made three consecutive shots from your spot, select a different location and repeat the drill.