Developing a consistent shooting form is crucial for young basketball players. Mastering shooting fundamentals not only improves accuracy but also boosts confidence on the court. Whether players are aiming to become knockdown shooters or simply want to contribute to their team’s offense, practicing the right drills is the key. In this post, we’ll go over the best shooting drills for basketball players, from beginner-friendly exercises to advanced techniques using machines like the Dr. Dish basketball shooting machine.
The Importance of Shooting Drills for Youth Basketball Players
Shooting is one of the most important skills in basketball. Without it, even the most talented players may struggle to make a lasting impact on the game. For youth players, consistent practice is essential to develop muscle memory, coordination, and the proper shooting technique. Moreover, engaging in structured basketball shooting drills can increase focus, precision, and footwork, giving young athletes an edge.
Let’s explore some of the best shooting drills for youth basketball players.
Form Shooting Drill
The foundation of any successful shooter begins with proper form. Form shooting drills are the bedrock of basketball shooting drills, teaching players how to shoot with correct mechanics. This drill focuses on key elements such as hand placement, elbow positioning, and follow-through.
How to Perform: Start close to the basket (about 5 feet) with both feet squared to the rim. With a strong base, players should shoot the ball using just one hand while their off-hand stabilizes the ball lightly. Emphasize follow-through, ensuring players’ wrists snap downward in a “gooseneck” position. After each shot, retrieve the ball and repeat.
Goal: Make 10 consecutive perfect shots before moving further from the basket.
This drill can also be used as a warm-up to reinforce the shooting fundamentals that will be utilized in more advanced drills.
Spot Shooting Drill
This drill helps youth players improve their ability to shoot from various spots around the court. By practicing from different distances and angles, players become more versatile scorers and are better equipped to shoot under different game situations.
How to Perform: Mark five spots on the court: the baseline, wing, top of the key, opposite wing, and opposite baseline. Players should shoot from each spot, taking two or three shots before moving on to the next. The player continues until they have completed the circuit.
Goal: Set a target number of makes (e.g., 5 out of 7) from each spot. This encourages players to focus on precision.
The spot shooting drill is ideal for building consistency from various areas, helping players recognize and get comfortable with their favorite shooting spots on the court.
Free Throw Shooting Drill
Free throws are a vital part of the game, especially in close contests where every point counts. Practicing free throws under pressure can make the difference between winning and losing. For youth players, developing confidence at the free-throw line should be a major focus.
How to Perform: After every five shots or after completing a series of drills, have players take two free throws. This simulates a game scenario where they may have to shoot free throws after physical activity.
Goal: Encourage players to make a certain percentage of their free throws (e.g., 80%) to improve their accuracy in game-like conditions.
By incorporating free throws into other basketball shooting drills, youth players can learn to perform under pressure, developing a mindset that allows them to succeed at critical moments.
Catch-and-Shoot Drill
Many game situations require players to shoot immediately after receiving a pass, often referred to as catch-and-shoot opportunities. This drill emphasizes footwork, quick decision-making, and the ability to shoot without hesitating.
How to Perform: Have a coach or teammate pass the ball to a player from different positions on the court. As soon as the ball arrives, the player should square their body to the basket and release the shot as quickly and accurately as possible. Start close to the basket and gradually move back to the three-point line.
Goal: Set a target of hitting a certain number of shots in a row or achieving a specific percentage.
The catch-and-shoot drill is effective for teaching players to maintain their shooting form while quickly adjusting to receiving a pass.
Dribble-Pull-Up Shooting Drill
One of the most difficult shots in basketball is the pull-up jumper. This drill trains players to shoot off the dribble, which is essential for creating scoring opportunities against tough defenses.
How to Perform: Start at the three-point line, dribble toward the basket, and pull up for a jump shot after taking one or two dribbles. Players should alternate between dribbling with their dominant and non-dominant hands.
Goal: Players should work on hitting the pull-up jumper from various distances, focusing on both mid-range and three-point shots.
By practicing this drill, youth players will gain the ability to score from multiple areas on the court, even when they can’t rely on a pass to set up their shot.
Shooting Machine Drills
Incorporating technology into training can significantly boost a young player’s development. A popular tool among both professional and youth players is the Dr. Dish basketball shooting machine. This machine allows players to get hundreds of repetitions in a short amount of time by automatically passing the ball back after each shot.
How to Perform: Players can use the Dr. Dish shooting machine to practice different types of shots, such as catch-and-shoot, spot-up shooting, or even off-the-dribble shots. The machine’s ability to simulate game-like passing situations helps players improve their reaction time and shot mechanics.
Goal: Set a target for made shots within a certain time frame (e.g., 100 made shots in 10 minutes).
The Dr. Dish shooting machine price might seem steep for some teams or players, but its efficiency in maximizing reps and providing accurate feedback makes it an invaluable tool for development.
One-Hand Shooting Drill
A common issue with youth players is the involvement of their non-dominant hand, which can negatively affect shot accuracy. The one-hand shooting drill focuses on correcting this problem by isolating the shooting hand and reinforcing good form.
How to Perform: Stand close to the basket with the non-shooting hand behind the back. Shoot the ball using just the dominant hand, focusing on proper follow-through and wrist action.
Goal: Make 10 consecutive shots before moving further from the basket.
This drill helps players build strength and confidence in their dominant hand, improving accuracy and consistency.
Rebounding and Shooting Drill
In many games, players will need to follow their own shots, especially if the defense is strong. The rebounding and shooting drill teaches players how to recover missed shots and turn them into second-chance points.
How to Perform: Have players take a shot from a specific spot on the floor. After the shot, they should immediately sprint toward the basket to rebound the ball, then attempt a follow-up shot. The process repeats continuously for 1-2 minutes.
Goal: Focus on making the follow-up shot after each rebound. Track how many shots are made during the allotted time.
This drill combines shooting with hustle, training players to never give up on a play and teaching them the importance of offensive rebounding.
Conclusion
Shooting drills are a crucial part of any youth basketball player’s development. From the basics of form shooting to advanced drills with the Dr. Dish basketball shooting machine, players can improve their accuracy, consistency, and overall confidence. These drills also help build muscle memory, footwork, and decision-making under pressure. Incorporating a mix of these drills into practice routines will help youth players become more complete shooters and valuable assets to their teams.
