9 Shooting Drills to Upgrade Your Basketball Shot
Stephen Curry, the greatest basketball shooter, said, “The greatest shooters are the ones that aren’t afraid to keep shooting.”
This quote encapsulates the truth that practicing over and over is the key to becoming a great shooter. He has also said that a great basketball player must practice until it is almost uncomfortable, which allows the player to slow things down during the game.
If the greatest shooter of modern times practices every day well into his basketball career, then what does that mean for you? It’s time to practice.
C&C Courts has compiled some essential shooting drills for any aspiring basketball player to improve their basketball shot.
Form Shooting Drills (Foundation & Accuracy)
The following drills are designed to engrain proper shooting mechanics, which are essential for consistency at any range. Here’s how you can focus on what we refer to as the BEEF (Balance, Eyes, Elbow, Follow-through) process:
1. 1-Hand Form Shooting (Close Range)
The Goal: Perfect your shooting hand's mechanics and follow through.
How to: Stand 3-5 feet from the basket directly in front. Use only your shooting hand to shoot. Focus on forming an "L" with your arm, pushing up and out, and snapping your wrist to create backspin. Hold your follow-through with your fingers pointed at the rim until the ball goes through.
Progression: Make 8-10 shots from a spot before moving. Try 10 shots from 5 spots around the basket.
2. 1-Hand Form Shooting With Guide Hand
Goal: Introduce the guiding hand without it interfering with the shooting motion.
How to: Same as above, but place your guide hand gently on the side of the ball, pointing fingers upwards, without touching the ball as you shoot. The guide hand should come off the ball first.
Progression: Make 8-10 shots from 5 spots (3-5 feet).
3. Set to Go
Goal: Integrate the lower body power with your shooting motion.
How to: Start with the ball at your "shot pocket" (comfortable starting position in front of your body). Simultaneously, extend your legs and shoot in one fluid motion, releasing the ball on the way up. Focus on no pauses.
Progression: Start close and gradually move back, taking 5-10 shots, then stepping back. Go from 3 feet to 6, 9, and 12 feet.
4. Nothing But Net Shots
Goal: Hyper-focus on accuracy and arc.
How to: From various spots (start close, then move out), take shots where the ball only touches the net, avoiding the rim or backboard. This forces you to focus on the perfect trajectory and release.
Progression: Make 5 "nothing but net" shots from 4-5 spots before moving to the next.
Quick Release Drills (Game Speed & Efficiency)
These drills focus on minimizing wasted motion and getting your shot off faster.
5. Spin Outs / Catch & Shoot (One or Two-Foot Hop)
Goal: Simulate receiving a pass and quickly getting into your shot.
How to: Spin the ball out a few feet in front of you with backspin. Sprint to the ball, gather it cleanly with a jump stop (one-foot or two-foot hop, depending on your preferred footwork), and immediately go into your shot.
Variations: Practice this from various spots (wing, corner, top of the key). Focus on being "low and ready" before you catch the ball.
Pro Tip: Eliminate any dip or pause in the ball's motion from the shot pocket to the release. The ball should go straight up.
6. Off the Dribble Form Shooting
Goal: Transition quickly and smoothly from dribbling to shooting.
How to: Take one or two dribbles (e.g., strong hand pull-up, crossover pull-up, step-back dribble) into your shot pocket and then immediately elevate and shoot. Focus on having your feet set and balanced before you initiate the shot.
Progression: Vary the dribble moves and shooting spots.
Pro Tip: The gathering and shooting motion should be one fluid action.
7. Rapid Dip / Catch & Shoot
Goal: Develop an explosive upward motion for a quick release, especially useful when catching on the move.
How to: As you catch the ball, perform a rapid, small dip with your knees and then immediately explode upward into your shot. This dip helps load the legs for power.
Pro Tip: The dip is quick and shallow, designed to generate power, not to slow down the shot.
Range & Accuracy Drills (Extending Your Reach & Hitting Your Spots)
These drills build strength and confidence from further distances while maintaining accuracy.
8. Spot Shooting
Goal: Master shooting from specific locations on the court.
How to: Choose 5-7 spots around the arc (e.g., both corners, both wings, top of the key, elbows). Shoot 10-15 shots from each spot, focusing on making a certain number (e.g., 7/10 or 10/15) before moving to the next.
Progression: Gradually increase the distance from the basket. Don't move back until your form is solid at the current range.
Variation: "Around the World" is a classic spot shooting drill.
9. Free Throw Line Progression
Goal: Build range incrementally.
How to: Start a few feet in front of the free-throw line. Make 3-5 shots, then take one step back. Repeat until you reach the free-throw line. Once comfortable, continue this progression beyond the arc.
Pro Tip: Maintain the same good form and power from your legs as you move back. Avoid pushing with just your arms.
Take Your Basketball Shot to the Next Level with a Home Basketball Court
Our dream is to help as many people as possible become athletic champions. With a home basketball court, there are endless opportunities for kids, teenagers, and adults to excel at their favorite sports.
Whether your child wants to play in the NBA or you want to keep your tennis game up to speed, C&C Courts can help. Our thirty years of experience building athletic courts in Wisconsin make us the best choice for your home court.
Call us today at 414-856-5690 or request a quote to learn more about our athletic court-building process.
