Individual basketball shooting drills
Shooting drills a player can do alone on a driveway hoop, each with a video clip, steps and makes to count.
How coaches assign drills- 6 drills
- All with no partner needed
- Every drill has a video clip
- 8–20 minutes each
6 individual basketball shooting drills
Shooting0:35One-Hand Form Shooting
FixesFlat shots, a flying elbow and a guide hand that pushes
- 10 min
- Ages 6–18
10 shots from each of 5 spots (50 shots), 4–6 days a week
Shooting1:02Lying Down Shooting Drill (No Hoop)
FixesA crooked release and no backspin
- 8 min
- Ages 6–18
3 sets of 20 shots, 4–7 days a week
Shooting1:30Free Throw Routine
FixesRushed free throws that look different every time
- 15 min
- Ages 8–18
5 sets of 10 free throws (50), 3–5 days a week
Shooting1:28Catch and Shoot (Hop and 1-2 Step)
FixesSlow feet on the catch and traveling
- 15 min
- Ages 9–18
20 hop shots and 20 one-two step shots, 3–5 days a week
Shooting0:46Pull-Up Jumper Drill
FixesDrifting and fading on shots off the dribble
- 15 min
- Ages 10–18
10 shots each: 1 dribble right, 1 dribble left, 2 dribbles right, 2 dribbles left, 3–4 days a week
Shooting1:205 Spot Shooting Drill
FixesShooting practice with no score to beat
- 20 min
- Ages 8–18
Warm up, then 10 shots from each of 5 spots (50 shots), 3–4 days a week
How to use these individual basketball shooting drills
Shooting problems these drills fix
- The ball coming off the side of the hand, so shots miss left or right.
- Pushing the ball from the chest with both hands.
- A flat shot with no arc.
- A shot that works close in but falls apart from farther out.
Each drill has a short video clip, numbered steps and one result to count, like makes out of 50.
Where to start
- Start every shooting session with one-hand form shooting close to the rim.
- With no hoop, use the lying down shooting drill to groove a straight release with backspin.
- Then pick one game shot: catch and shoot or the pull-up jumper.
- Finish with free throws or 5 spot shooting to keep a number to beat.
Hoop height and ball size
- The NBA and USA Basketball youth guidelines use an 8-foot rim for ages 7–8, a 9-foot rim for ages 9–11 and 10 feet from age 12, with a size 5 ball through age 11. A rim that is too high makes young players heave the ball.
- Move back only as far as the player can shoot with good form. For most kids that is well inside the three-point line.
If you are marking out a practice area, check the basketball court dimensions for free throw and lane measurements.
How many shots and how often
- Count makes, not attempts. Fifty to one hundred focused shots in a session is plenty for youth players.
- Rebound your own shots and take them at game speed once the form is good.
Individual basketball shooting drills FAQ
What are good basketball shooting drills to do alone?
One-hand form shooting, free throws, catch and shoot with a spin pass to yourself, the pull-up jumper and 5 spot shooting all work with one player, one ball and a hoop.
How can I practice shooting without a hoop?
Lie on your back and shoot the ball straight up, catching it as it comes down. The lying down shooting drill trains a straight release and backspin, and you can do it in your bedroom.
How do you fix basketball shooting form?
Go close to the rim and shoot with one hand. Line up your elbow under the ball, push up through the rim and hold your follow-through until the ball lands. One-hand form shooting walks through it step by step.
How many shots should a youth basketball player take a day?
For home practice, 50–100 good shots is plenty for most youth players. Count makes so every session has a number to beat, and stop when tired arms start changing the form.
More basketball drills by skill
- Basketball ball handling drills8 drills
Stationary dribbling, crossovers, between the legs, behind the back and two-ball work. All you need is a ball and a smooth floor.
- Basketball finishing drills5 drills
Layup footwork on both sides, left-handed layups, reverse layups, the euro step and the floater.
- Basketball passing drills at home3 drills
Chest passes, bounce passes and one-hand passes off the dribble against a wall or with a partner.
- Basketball footwork drills2 drills
Jump stops, pivots, the triple threat position and the jab step. No hoop needed.
- Basketball defense drills at home3 drills
The defensive stance, defensive slides and a mirror drill with a partner.
- Basketball rebounding drills at home1 drill
Toss the ball off the backboard and catch it at the top of your jump with two hands.
- Basketball conditioning drills2 drills
Line sprints and jump rope for quick feet and the legs to last a whole game.
Assign basketball drills to your team
Use the drills in this library or make your own. Coaches assign them as homework between practices, and players open each drill on their phone, do it and check in when they finish.
Get the Bravara app- 01
Pick drills or make your own
Start from the basketball drills in this library, copy one and change it, or write your own with steps, a YouTube video, your own photos and videos or a link to read. Then assign it to the whole team or to certain players and set how many days a week.
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Players do them at home
Players open the drill on their phone, watch the video or read the steps, do the drill and check in when they finish. They can upload a video of their work too.
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Players log a result
A drill can have one result to track, like strikes out of 30. Results stay private to the player and their family, and players earn XP and levels as they keep checking in.
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The coach sees who did it
Coaches see who has checked in on each drill and can react or reply to a player's check-in.
Assign individual basketball shooting drills with Bravara Reps
Coaches assign drills to the team or to certain players. Players check in from home, log a result and earn XP as they go.
