Shooting is at the core for what makes a successful player and team. All the other basketball skills really lead up to the ultimate skill: putting the ball in the basket. This article offers basketball tips on shooting drills that work well to make the individual player an effective shooter. The result is that your players will be making a high percentage of their shots during games and also have the confidence to make clutch shots at key times of the game.

The first is to have a defender teammate be two arms-length distance from the shooter and then toss the ball to the shooter. The shooter then quickly squares up to shoot, keeps his/her eyes on the basket, and releases the shot the same way every time. The release should have the proper mechanics: elbows in, shoot off mostly the fingers and not the palms, follow-through with the fingers facing downward after the shot is released. This is repeated over and over from various spots on the floor wher the shooter can consistently reach the basket with the shot. The defender teammate plays solid defense trying to get a hand on the ball. After 50 to 100 shot attempts, the teammates can switch roles.

Another drill that can be done on one's own I call "Shot Spots". This is designating 5 spots on the court where the player is likely to get shot opportunities during the games. The player takes one shot from each spot and then moves to the next spot. This cycle of 5 spots is repeated at least 10 times. The key is to have the same effective shooting form and concentration each time the shot is taken. An alternative to this is to repeat the same shot ten times at one spot and then move on to the next spot and repeat. It is the repetition of the same shot made which builds consistency and confidence in the shooter. 

This next shooting drill is one that players often find challenging and interesting. It is to time how long it takes for a player to make a certain number of shots from a certain spot. The players like to beat their previous time. The key is be quick but without hurrying the shot. Keeping the correct shooting form is crucial. This drill is reinforcing quickness, concentration and repetition which builds consistency in making the shots. It can be used for shots near the basket and with outside shots quite a distance away from the basket. It is alright to have a rebounder feeding the ball to the shooter.

I hope that these basketball tips on shooting drills have been helpful to you. By utilizing these drills throughout the season and during the off-season, you are building outstanding shooters who can help win games by scoring the ball consistently.