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Basketball shooting drills
These basketball shooting drills start close to the rim with good form and work out to game-speed shots. Most of them run with one ball for every two or three players, so kids get a lot of shots in a short time. Pick two or three for a practice and come back to them every week.
Shooting drills for beginners
Youth shooting drills for players who are still learning to shoot with one hand and a straight elbow. Keep them close to the basket and lower the hoop if you can.
Form shooting drill
The form shooting drill is how most basketball shooting drills start.
Animated diagram and coaching pointsMikan drill
The Mikan drill is a finishing drill where one player makes layups back and forth under the rim, right hand on the right side and left hand on the left side, without letting the ball touch the floor.
Animated diagram and coaching pointsTwo line layup drill
The two line layup drill, usually called layup lines, is the warm-up most teams run before practice and games.
Animated diagram and coaching pointsSpot shooting
Mark five spots around the lane a few feet from the rim. A player shoots from each spot until they make two, then moves to the next spot while a partner rebounds. Move the spots back only when players are making most of their shots.
Basketball shooting drills for teams
Shooting drills that keep the whole team busy at once and add a little competition. Good for the middle or end of practice.
Around the world basketball drill
The around the world basketball drill is a shooting game played from spots in a half circle around the key.
Animated diagram and coaching pointsKnockout
Players line up at the free throw line and the first two players each have a ball. If you miss, you rebound and keep shooting from anywhere until you make it. If the player behind you makes before you do, you are out, and the last player left wins.
Partner shooting
One player shoots and the partner rebounds and passes it back, then they switch after a set number of shots or one minute. Count makes and try to beat the score the next time. Have shooters catch with their feet ready so every shot looks like a game shot.
Beat the pro
A player shoots from a spot against an imaginary pro. In one common version, a make is 1 point for the player and a miss is 2 points for the pro, and the first to 11 wins. It works well at the end of practice or as a homework drill.
Game-speed shooting drills
For players who shoot with good form and need to do it on the move, off the dribble, and when tired.
One-dribble pull-up
Start on the wing with the ball. Take one hard dribble toward the elbow, jump stop, and shoot. Go both directions so players practice pulling up going left and going right.
Pass and relocate shooting
A passer stands at the top and a shooter on the wing. The shooter catches and shoots, then slides to a new open spot along the arc and shows hands for the next pass. Switch after ten shots.
Sprint and free throws
After a conditioning run or a hard drill, each player steps to the line for two free throws while breathing hard. Keep a team count of makes. It is closer to how free throws feel late in a real game.
Free throw pressure game
Players take turns shooting one free throw while the rest of the team watches. Set a team goal, such as eight makes in a row or seven out of ten. If the team falls short, everyone runs a sprint and then tries again.
How to run shooting drills at practice
The most important thing is reps. A shooting drill with one ball and a line of eight kids gives each player a few shots in five minutes. Split the team across every basket you have, use one ball per two players, and keep lines to three players or fewer.
Start close to the rim and move back slowly. Young players who shoot from too far away start throwing the ball with two hands or jumping forward, and those habits stick. If your gym has adjustable hoops, lower them for players 11 and under.
Make at least one shooting drill competitive every practice. Count makes, play Knockout, or set a team free throw goal. Players concentrate more when there is a score, and you get a quick read on who is improving.
Basketball shooting drills FAQ
What are good shooting drills for beginners?
Form shooting close to the basket, the Mikan drill, and layup lines are the best places to start. Keep beginners within a few feet of the rim until they can shoot with one hand under the ball and the elbow in.
How many shots should players take in practice?
There is no set number, but more is better as long as form holds up. Running shooting drills in pairs at every basket lets each player take dozens of shots in ten minutes. Watch for tired players who start shooting flat and give them a short break.
What is the Knockout shooting game?
Knockout is a shooting game played in a line at the free throw line with two balls. If the player behind you makes a basket before you do, you are out. The last player left wins.
How can a whole team do shooting drills with one basket?
Use two or three balls and short lines, and have shooters rebound their own shot and pass to the next player. Partner shooting and Knockout both work with one basket. Players waiting in line can do ball handling while they wait.
Draw your own drills
Put players on the court, draw the drill step by step, and send it to your team or assistant coaches before practice.