Post Practice Basketball Shooting Drills

This basketball coaching article was written by University of South Alabama assistant men’s basketball coach Russ Willemsen.

We all want to knock down shots in a game, but do you really understand how hard it is to become a great shooter in basketball? It is a simple concept but difficult to understand: REPS…and not just reps, but reps at game speed. We charted the number of shots one of our players took in a particular basketball practice.

This included layups in 3 man weave, shots during a water break, 5 on 0 offense, and basketball drills with defense. He took 54 shots that entire practice. There is no way one can become a consistent shooter taking just 54 shots every day. That means that it is up to you to be responsible and get shots up on your own after practice.

Here are four post-practice basketball shooting drills to improve your team’s shooting percentages.

5 Minute Basketball Shooting Drill

This basketball shooting drill requires one shooter, one passer/rebounder, and one ball. The shooter will attempt catch and shoot three-pointers for five straight minutes from various spots on the court. We like for our right-handed players to have their left foot down and step into their shot (opposite for lefties) and have their hands ready.

At the end of the five minutes, the shooter should have attempted between 70-90 three-pointers, depending on long rebounds, etc. Our goal is for our basketball player to be above 50 makes in those five minutes, and great shooters should be above 60 makes, and elite shooters are above 70 makes.

Vanderbilt Basketball Shooting Drill

I attended a basketball coaching clinic at Vanderbilt and stole this drill from them. This basketball shooting drill requires one shooter, one passer/rebounder, and one ball. The shooter will pick a three-point spot to begin shooting from. Once he declares that spot, he cannot move until he makes three FGs in a row.

After the shooter makes three in a row, he moves to the next spot. The objective is to count how many spots of three in a row one can make in five minutes. Vanderbilt said their high was John Jenkins that made 21 spots of three 3FGs in a row in a five-minute period. This is a great basketball drill that also adds pressure to shooting.

5 Spots, 10 Shots, Repeat Basketball Shooting Drill

This basketball shooting drill requires one passer, one rebounder, and two balls. The shooter will attempt 10 catch and shoot three-point field goals from the left corner, left-wing, top of the key, right-wing, and right corner. The shooter will take five free throws and repeat the catch and shoot three-pointers.

This will give the shooter 100 3FGA. We want our shooters to knock down 70 out of 100 on catch and shoot with no defense in basketball shooting drills. Anything above 80 is an elite shooter. This drill should take no longer than 10 minutes, including the free throws.

Spurs Basketball Shooting Drill

This basketball shooting drill is a bit more complicated but great for getting game shots. I modified the drill to fit our system to ensure the shots attempted are out of our offense. The drill requires one shooter, one passer/rebounder, and one ball. It is also a great conditioning basketball drill that adds fatigue to the shooter.

This drill should take no more than 10 minutes., and the shooter will take the following shots

• 25 Catch and shoot mid-range shots (5 shots each from the left corner, left-wing, top of the key, right corner, right-wing)
• 5 shots moving from left wing to left corner
• 5 shots moving from the left corner to left-wing
• 5 shots moving left wing to the top of the key
• 5 shots moving from the top of the key to left-wing
• 5 catch and shoot left-wing transition 3FGs. Start at half court and sprint to the left-wing
• 5 transition ball screen 3FGs from the left-wing. Start at half court dribble down to a wing ball screen, and shoot the 3FG.
• 5 screen the screener 3FGs. Start on the right block and set a cross-screen on the left block. Come up the left lane line for a top of the key 3FG
• Repeat steps 2-8 on the right side
• 5 Catch and shoot 3FGs (1 shot each from the left corner, left-wing, top of the key, right corner, right-wing)

Post-Practice Basketball Shooting Drills Conclusion

Becoming a better shooter in basketball will not happen overnight. It takes time and work. One of these basketball shooting drills a day will make a world of difference. You will not only see your numbers increase but also the confidence in which your players shoot the basketball. Also, with multiple baskets and multiple rebounders, you can have a large number of players working on their shooting after practice.

If you have any questions on these basketball shooting drills, feel free to email me at rwillemsen@southalabama.edu