Basketball Shooting Drills

Develop The Swish with these Shooting Drills for Basketball

When playing basketball, one of the most important skills to master is shooting in a variety of ways from varied locations on the court.  While nothing quite beats the swish sound that the ball makes when it coasts through the net, becoming a great shooter is not an easy task.    

However, having a team full of shooters that can make baskets from any angle is very threatening to your opponent’s defensive squad because in having to cover your offensive team tight, it leaves golden opportunities for you to storm in and make easy lay-ups or jump shots.  Consider using some of the following basketball shooting drills at your next practice to help your players sink more baskets, earn more points, and win more games.

From a Distance 

When looking for basketball shooting drills, try selecting a few drills that teach players how to shoot from afar.  As a shooter, it’s important to have good range, especially since defenders tend to be more lenient when defending players between two and three feet outside the arc.  Try this drill, which has players build their form while shooting from a distance.

This drill is for two players.  Player 1 begins the drill at the 15 foot line while player 2 stands beneath the basket with the ball.  Player 2 passes the ball to player 1 who catches the pass and takes the shot.  Player 1 gets their own rebound while player 2 runs to the 15-foot line to catch the pass and take their shot.  Play continues in this manner until players have reached a combined total of 10 shots.  

Next, player 1 moves to the 3-point line and the play continues in the same manner as above until the players have made a combined total of 5 shots.  After these shots, players move a big step behind the 3-point line and make 5 more shots.  If players can still maintain their form, have them also try 5 shots from the NBA three-point line.  After these shots, players return to the 3-point line to make 5 more shots, and 10 more at the 15-foot line. Players should notice the second round of shots from the shorter distances become easier after attempting from afar.  While making all the shots players should focus on maintaining good shot form regardless of the distance.

Bank Shots & Free Throws 

If players are becoming sloppy in their form for particular shots, try one of the following basketball shooting drills.  To practice bank shots, have your players stand as far away from the basket as they can and still perform an adequate bank shot.  Have players do anywhere from 50 to 100 reps at that distance.  This drill not only promotes good form, it also strengthens the arm muscles.  

If players are having trouble with their free throws, this drill should help.  Have a player take 10 shots from the free throw line.  The team must perform conditioning exercises such as wind sprints equal to number of shots the players misses.  After the exercises have that player take the 10 free throw shots again, continuing the process until the player achieves 10 baskets in a row.  Repeat this drill at every practice with a different player at the helm.