5 Basketball Shooting Drills: How to Develop a Sharpshooter

• By James Locke

Why Shooting is Important and How to Develop Itp It

While high long-range, shooting offense is generally associated with high-level basketball players like Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors, shooting is vital for an offense at any level of play. 

Good shooters pose a constant scoring threat, forcing defenders to guard them closely, and creating opportunities for teammates to move the ball, drive and find open spaces. Ultimately, since it stretches the defense, high-percentage shooting is a catalyst for offensive spacing and increased versatility, resulting in easier scoring. 

To develop an effective jump shot, a player needs to learn proper shooting form and technique, ensuring proper balance, alignment, efficiency, and repeatabilityfaaa296fab">shooting form and technique, ensuring proper balance, alignment, efficiency, and repeatability. Repetition is crucial for a player’s jump shot, as muscle memory creates reliability and consistency.

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Key Takeaways

1. Shooting can improve offensive versatility, increasing scoring opportunities

2. Shooting improves offensive spacing, opening up the court and making the defense cover more ground

3. Good shooting is based on fundamentals and technique 

4. Repetition and muscle memory are essential in developing good shooting skills

5. Shooting skills and consistency can be improved through structured drills

Shooting can be developed by implementing structured shooting drills, as shown by NBA players such as Lonzo Ball- who improved his 3pt FG% from 30% to 42% in a few short years.

To aid this development, we have compiled detailed breakdowns of 5 essential shooting drills for instilling proper technique, form, and muscle memory to grow your team into a sharpshooting, championship squad. 

Click here to view more basketball shooting drill resources.

1. Georgetown Warmup Drillrill

Since shooting is one of the most crucial aspects of basketball, your team’s practices should reflect its importance. Incorporating it into all phases of practice, including the warmup, can help build shot comfortability and increase shooting reps while helping to loosen up your players.

In his clinic, current Florida Gulf Coast and former Georgetown basketball Assistant Coach Kevin Sutton details the Georgetown Warmup Drill, a repetitive series of shots that helps build comfortability taking spot-up shots coming off of ball screens. 

In this drill, a player takes a shot at the lower block. The player then runs around a chair simulating a pindown screen up towards the elbow and takes a spot-up jump shot. The player then rolls down to the block and takes a third shot. The sequence is repeated for a total of ten shots. 

As the player comes around the screen, maintain a low hip position, and elevate straight up for a balanced jump shot. Proper footwork is vital; make sure the player is set and jumps vertically for a consistent shot.

2. 20 Point Partner Shooting Drillrill

Simulating live situations is vital for developing shooting skills that are transferable to real games. It is important for a player to be comfortable shooting on the move and under pressure.

Here, Dwaine Osborne, current Charleston Head Basketball Coach, details his version of the 20 Point Partner Shooting Drill, which teaches shooting off the dribble with a competitive, full-speed pace.

A player starts the drill at the top of the key, with a rebounder below the basket. 

First, the player takes a three-point shot- worth 3 points- then pump fakes and one-dribble drives into a pull-up elbow shot- worth 2 points- and finally, pump fakes and one-dribble drives for a layup- worth 1 point. 

This cycle is repeated three times with a total of 18 points available. The drill ends with the player taking 2 free throws for the opportunity to reach 20 points. 

3. Form Progression Shooting Drillrill

Form is the most vital aspect of shooting in basketball. Proper balance, arc, and alignment help guide consistency and repeatability, allowing for a smooth and reliable jump shot. 

In his clinic, Wes Miller, Current Cincinnati, and former UNC Greensboro Head men's Basketball Coach outlines the Form Progression Shooting Drill, a widespread drill meant to preach strong fundamentals of shooting. 

In the Form Progression Drill, a player stands 5 feet from the basket, squared up in proper shooting position with legs shoulder width apart in an athletic stance. The player shoots the ball with one arm, focusing on proper elbow alignment and follow-through. 

After five shots, the player takes a step back and repeats the sequence until they reach the top of the arc. The player then repeats the drill, this time using their second hand as a guide. 

This drill will build muscle memory of proper shooting mechanics through repetition.

4. Bogdanovic Balance Shooting Drillrill

Balance is another important aspect of shooting in basketball. In real-game situations, players often don’t have the proper balance control to ensure a mechanically sound shot, which can result in wild misses. 

Proper balance is the foundation for a jump shot, providing stability, accuracy, and adequate power. Without balance, a shot’s precision is greatly reduced, since power is generated less steadily and follow-through and shot trajectory can be altered.

Coach Luka Bassin’s clinic outlines the Balance Shooting Drill utilized by veteran Detroit Pistons sharpshooter Bojan Bogdanovic. The Balance Shooting Drill will teach players how to naturally find balance in shooting rhythm. 

Starting at the free throw line, the player will first sink into a triple threat shooting position. After finding balance, the player will jump and turn their body by 180 degrees, landing and maintaining the triple threat position. The player will then jump and turn 180 degrees again, and after recovering balance, take a jump shot. 

With repeated use of this drill, the player will be able to naturally maintain balance through movement before a jump shot. 

5. One Dribble Step Back Drillrill

While spot-up, balance, and form drills are great for practicing pure shooting proficiency, real-game situations often require shooting off the dribble. Shooting drills practicing off the dribble pull-up shots while maintaining proper footwork and mechanics are invaluable to a player’s development.

Coach Luka Bassin’s clinic also outlines the One Dribble Step Back Drill begins with one cone positioned at the top of the key and two cones at each elbow. 

The player takes on a dribble to the right, then makes a step back move off of the left foot, ending with a pull-up shot from the elbow area. Players rotate through the drill, alternating directions for each rep.

Emphasis must be placed on maintaining proper foot placement and shot mechanics.

This simple drill can significantly elevate a player’s off-the-dribble shooting by instilling proper form in live situations. 

Click here to view more basketball shooting drill resources.es/basketball/shooting?a=f8c5a18145b44d5faaa296fab">basketball shooting drill resources.