This basketball shooting drill is named after Rick Pitino because it is one of the drills that they do at Louisville University during their basketball training to help develop their players. Everything done during this basketball drill will be at a high pace and will be done at game speed. The drill will be at full speed, but it is important that the shooter executes each cut the correct way and really focuses on their footwork.
Another reason this basketball shooting drill is done at high speed is because it will be used as a conditioning drill as well. As a player gets tired, they begin to mental disconnect, and this causes their shooting technique and basketball fundamentals to fade. If the player can train to do something the correct way while they are tired, it should hopefully translate over to the game better and pay off in a late-game situation.
Basketball Drill Overview
Drill Name: Rick Pitino Basketball Shooting Drill
Equipment Needed: Chair or cone, 2 partners, and 2 basketballs.
Similar Basketball Drills and Resources
- Ray Allen Curl Cut Basketball Shooting Drill
- Reaction Inside Pivot Basketball Shooting Drill
- Stephen Curry Basketball Shooting Drill with Fade Cut
Goals of the Drill
- Work on different scoring and shooting moves, footwork, and player conditioning.
Coaching Points
- Go fast, but be under control and execute the proper footwork and basketball shooting technique.
- Stay in your shot until you see it make or miss.
- The goal should be to make 80% of your shots.
Basketball Drill Instructions
- Set up a chair 2-3 feet outside the elbow on either side of the paint.
- The passer will be just above the top of the key, and the rebounder will be down by the basket.
- The player will be at half court to start.
- When the drill starts, the passer will pass the ball to the player, and they will dribble attack the chair with the basketball in their inside hand.
- At the chair, they can make any type of crossover move to their outside hand where they will take 2 dribbles and then pull up for a jump shot.
- After they shoot the basketball, they will take two steps towards the baseline (start with inside foot) and then come off the chair for a down-screen shot.
- Once they shoot that shot, they will take 2 steps into the paint (start with inside foot) and then use the chair for a flare screen catch and shoot shot.
- After the third shot, the player will sprint back to half court and then repeat the same pattern.
- The player should go through the pattern 4 times, for a total of 12 shots.
