Are you looking to up your basketball game and take your shooting to the next level? Maybe you’re just starting out and want to build a solid foundation in shooting technique. Either way, you’re in the right place. In this blog, we’ll cover five essential drills that can help improve your basketball shooting technique. 🎯

1. One-Hand Shooting

One of the first steps in developing a great shooting technique is to focus on your form and accuracy. A great drill to help you with this is One-Hand Shooting. This drill involves shooting the ball with just one hand, focusing on keeping your elbow in and your wrist locked.

To start, stand approximately six feet from the hoop and shoot ten shots with your dominant hand. Then, switch to your non-dominant hand for another ten shots. This drill helps you build muscle memory and develop proper shooting form.

A person shooting basketball with one hand

2. Catch and Shoot

A significant part of basketball is being able to make a shot off of a pass quickly. This drill helps you get comfortable with this type of shot, also known as the catch and shoot.

Start by standing in front of the hoop a few feet away and then have someone pass you the ball. Catch it and shoot it in one motion. Repeat this drill, moving further away from the hoop each time, until you’ve reached your maximum range.

This drill helps improve your hand-eye coordination, reaction time, and shooting speed.

A person catching and shooting basketball

3. Jump Shot Free Throws

A jump shot free throw drill is also an excellent way to work on your shooting technique. Start by taking two big steps back from the free-throw line, and then take a running start towards the line. When you reach the line, jump and shoot the ball while still in the air.

The goal is to land in the same spot where you started, helping you develop an accurate and consistent jump shot. This drill also helps improve your overall leg strength and jumping ability.

A person jumping and shooting basketball

4. Step-back Jumper

Now that you’ve built a solid foundation in shooting technique, it’s time to work on some more advanced skills. One of these skills is the step-back jumper, a popular move that involves taking a quick step back before shooting the ball.

Start by taking a couple of dribbles towards the hoop, then take a quick step back before shooting the ball. Repeat this drill, stepping back further each time, until you’ve reached your maximum range.

This drill helps improve your footwork, balance, and shooting accuracy when moving.

A person doing step-back jumper basketball

5. Off-the-dribble

Lastly, the off-the-dribble drill can help you take your game to the next level. This drill involves dribbling the ball towards the hoop and then taking a jump shot.

Start by dribbling towards the hoop and then quickly changing direction to create space between yourself and the defender. Then, take a jump shot, trying to get as much height as possible.

This drill helps improve your dribbling, shooting off-the-dribble, and overall dynamic footwork.

A person dribbling and shooting basketball

In conclusion, working on your basketball shooting technique is a process. However, if you incorporate these five essential drills into your practice, you’ll be on your way to becoming a better shooter in no time. Remember to focus on developing proper form, consistency, and accuracy, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a great basketball shooter. 🏀

A collage of basketball shooters