How to do the drill
- 1
Stand 2 steps (4 feet) from the rim, feet pointed at it (8-foot rim for ages 7–8, 9-foot for 9–11).
- 2
Hold the ball on your shooting hand's finger pads, wrist bent back, other hand behind your back.
- 3
Bend your knees, elbow under the ball, and push up. Snap your wrist and hold the follow-through.
- 4
Shoot 10 from each of 5 spots 2–3 steps (4–6 feet) out. Count every make. Log your total out of 50.
- 5
When you make 7 of 10 easily, add your other hand on the side.
Coaching cues
- Elbow under the ball.
- Reach into the rim.
- Hold your follow-through.
What good looks like
The ball leaves your fingertips with backspin and a soft arc, and your fingers finish pointing at the rim.
Safety
Don't hang on the rim, especially a lowered or portable hoop. Check that a portable hoop's base is filled and steady before you start.
Why this drill
Most good shooters start close to the rim with one hand. Taking the guide hand away shows right away whether your legs, elbow and wrist are doing the work, and those short makes build a shot you can take farther out.
Run it with your teamForm shooting drill with a diagram →Next shooting drillLying Down Shooting Drill (No Hoop) →
