Basketball enjoys booming popularity in America, and not simply because of the attention-getting stardom of professional players like Michael Jordan and LeBron James. The sport is among the most inexpensive you'll find--all you need to buy is a basketball--and can be practiced easily regardless of how many players you have. There are also several easily performed games and drills that can be used to hone your shooting skills.
H-O-R-S-E
In Horse, all you need is two players, and there's no limit to the number of contestants beyond that. It starts when one player attempts a specific shot of his choice. If he makes it, all other players must attempt the same shot, picking up an "H" if they miss. Any player who collects all five letters in the word "Horse" is eliminated, and the last man standing wins. Horse allows players to practice shooting under pressure and develops creativity, because you can shoot from literally anywhere on the court.
Knockout
Knockout is best played with four or more players. They line up single-file at the three-point line with two balls in play. The first player begins the game by attempting a three-pointer, and the following player may shoot as soon as the first player's shot either goes through the rim or misses. If a player misses, she must chase down her rebound and make a shot before the next player does. The goal is to make your shot before the preceding player does, thus knocking her out of the game.
Three-Point Shootout
Anyone who has watched an all-star basketball event has seen a three-point shootout. In it, players take five shots from each of five points around the three-point arc, moving from one corner to the wing on that side, to the top of the key, and then to the opposite wing and corner. There's usually a time limit in the range of two minutes a for a player to get off all 25 shots. The highest score wins. The three-point shootout not only drills shooting fundamentals, but also teaches players to shoot while fatigued, as they'll have to in real-game situations.
Floor Drill
Practicing your shooting form can be challenging when you're on the court with other players, because of all of the distractions. One way to perfect your form is to use the floor drill. In it, you lie on your back, holding the ball as you would normally in pre-shot position. Both elbows should be bent and your wrist, elbow and shoulder aligned with one another on your shooting side arm. Focus on maintaining a steady shooting motion, releasing the ball from the fingertips and flicking your wrist upon release. Gravity brings the ball immediately back you, so you can get up hundreds of shots in no time.
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