Basketball Shooting Drills to Improve Technique

Creating a Shooting Drill

Coming up with basketball shooting drills is not as hard as many coaches think. All it takes to have great basketball shooting drills is to understand the types of shots players need to practice and the technique they want to teach.

Coaches should envision the court and how they want players to interact during basketball shooting drills. If players are to pass to each other, they must be close enough to make this successful. There may also need to be a player not involved in the drill to rebound the ball or begin the passing routine.

All drills should also be repetitive. Players should be able to practice a skill several times before changing things up. This will help players stay engaged as well as allow them enough time to practice necessary skills before moving on.

Choosing Drills for Different Shots

Different types of shots require different technique and therefore different drills. Free throw drills should be repetitive, as there is nothing better for an athlete than to get comfortable standing on that line and sinking shots. These drills can be simple but intended to distract the player, as there will be distractions during a normal game.

Drills for three point shots should focus on accurately determining the distance of the shot and putting enough power behind it to reach the net. Shots in the paint should focus on squaring the body and flicking the wrist cleanly.

By knowing the differences between these types of drills, coaches empower themselves and their teams to be prepared, both mentally and physically, for game situations.

Dribble Dribble Shot

A players stands anywhere he wants to practice shooting. For players needing to practice free throws, they should stand on the free throw line. For those wanting to work their three-pointers, they should be at the three-point line. A coach or other player passes the shooter the ball. The shooter dribbles twice before taking a shot. The player can only dribble twice but must dribble twice to maintain the rhythm of the drill.

This drill can be completed from anywhere on the court. Coaches who want to turn this into a longer drill can have players move around stations, set up at different strategic shooting locations. The players must make a certain number of shots at each location as determined by the coach. Then, the shooter and the passer switch places and the drill repeats itself.

Chest Pass Shot

One player stands at each of four locations along the three-point line. He has a partner standing on the foul line with a ball. When the coach blows the whistle, each passer completes a chest pass to his partner. The shooter must successfully catch the chest pass and take a shot without dribbling. The passer rebounds the ball and passes again. When the coach blows the whistle again, the shooters rotate one spot over and begin again. The shooter on the end becomes a passer and a passer fills the now-open spot on the court.

Final Thoughts

Basketball shooting drills are possible for any coach to create with a little understanding of the game and creativity. Drills should be repetitive enough to help concepts sink in but interesting enough to keep athletes’ attention. Drills should be focused on the type of shot needing work. Drills like the Dribble Dribble Shot and the Chest Pass Shot help prepare athletes for competition situations.

Coach Anderson's passion is basketball. You can get his printable drills, plays, and practice plans on his website: eBasketballCoach.