Every basketball team needs at least a few effective shooters. Without them, scoring would be next to impossible. If you’re looking to be the go-to shooter on your team, shooting drills can be an effective way to work on your form and accuracy. If you’re a coach, shooting drills can help you improve your team’s shooting percentage and give you a better chance of winning that next big game.
Free Throw Shooting Drill
Missing free throws can mean the difference between winning a championship and going home empty-handed. The free throw shooting drill will help your team improve its shooting percentage by simulating real-game conditions and adding pressure to the free throw shooter. Line up your team along the baseline facing the free throw line. The first player in line goes to the free throw line and attempts two free throws. At the same time, team members along the baseline yell, scream, wave their hands and do anything to distract the shooter. For each free throw missed, the players along the baseline must run a lap, while the shooter stays at the line. After shooting, the player then goes to the back of the line. Run the drill until all players have shot at least two free throws.
Elbow to Elbow Drill
This drill helps players improve their ability to catch the ball and quickly shoot a midrange shot. Have one player below the basket to rebound and the other at the free throw line. On the whistle, the player at the free throw line runs to either elbow, as the player under the basket passes the ball. The player at the elbow then takes a jump shot and immediately runs to the halfcourt line and touches it. While the shooter is running, the player under the basket grabs the rebound. As the shooter returns to the free throw line, have him go to the other elbow and receive another pass from the rebounder and repeat the drill. Establish a set number of shots for the shooter to take, then have him and the rebounder rotate.
Mikan Drill
The Mikan drill is an effective drill for low-post players to practice their short-range shooting combined with footwork. Have your low-post player stand under the basket with the ball. The player should then take two steps to the right, jump off the left foot and shoot the ball off the backboard. After shooting, have your player grab the rebound, take two steps to the left, jump off the right foot and shoot the ball off the other side of the backboard. These movements should be done in quick succession. Set a certain amount of time for the player to run the drill and keep track of the number of makes and misses.
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