It’s said that the game of basketball is won with defense, but the final result usually reflects the ability to score points and shoot consistently. Honing this skill takes time and commitment to practicing your shots during the off-season.

The most important part of shooting is being ready to shoot before you catch the ball. This requires a focus on footwork and form. You might be able to slowly aim and hit shots during practice, but you don’t have that luxury during games.

Below are two shooting drills, courtesy of Coach Sarah Kirk (Bucklin High School) and the Kansas Basketball Academy Foundation. Both are designed to improve your shooting form and accuracy at game speed.

Drills to Improve Your Basketball Shot

Form to Fast

• Start form shooting in the middle of the paint until you make five baskets
• Move to the right block (low post) and form shoot off the backboard until you make five baskets
• Move to the left block (low post) and form shoot off the backboard until you make five baskets
• Move to the right elbow (corner of free-throw line), catch a pass, and shoot at game speed until you make five baskets
• Move to the left elbow (corner of free-throw line), catch a pass, and shoot at game speed until you make five baskets
• Move to left-wing, three to five feet inside the three-point line, catch a pass and shoot at game speed until you make five baskets
• Move to right-wing, three to five feet inside the three-point line, catch a pass, and shoot at game speed until you make five baskets
• Cooldown by shooting 10 free throws with a goal of making eight out of 10

Drive and Shoot

Set up cones three to five feet inside the three-point line at the corners, wings, and top of the key. Make three shots at each station.

• Start behind the three-point line (right corner), take three hard dribbles to the right of the cone, and shoot. Repeat to the left.
• Start behind the three-point line (right-wing), take three hard dribbles to the right of the cone, and shoot. Repeat to the left.
• Start behind the three-point line (top of the key), take three hard dribbles to the right of the cone, and shoot. Repeat to the left.
• Start behind the three-point line (left-wing), take three hard dribbles to the right of the cone, and shoot. Repeat to the left.
• Start behind the three-point line (left corner), take three hard dribbles to the right of the cone, and shoot. Repeat to the left.
• Cooldown by shooting 10 free throws with a goal of making eight out of 10

Coaching Points: Do not drop elbow when shooting // Shoot at the top of your jump // Follow through with your fingertips // Use proper footwork throughout the drill

For more ways to improve your basketball game, check out STACK’s Basketball page.