Two of the most important factors in becoming a great basketball shooter are agility and balance. Agility allows you to find space and get open. Without it, your shots will be contested and your ability to consistently hit jumpers will be compromised. Balance is also critical, to ensure that your shot form is perfect every time.

Alan Stein, owner of Stronger Team and strength coach for the DeMatha Catholic High School boy’s basketball team, knows the importance of agility and balance for the players he trains. He offers the four drills below to help you become the sharpshooter you’ve always wanted to be, no matter where you are on the court.

Basketball Agility Drills

Trace the Arc

This drills works on your footspeed and simulates a game situation in which you come off a screen to catch and shoot a 3-pointer

• Begin at either corner of the 3-point line. Take and make a 3-point shot.
• Sprint along the 3-point arc until you reach the opposite corner.
• As you reach the corner, have a partner pass you the ball. Take and make another 3-pointer.
• Run along the arc back to the original corner, and make your third and final 3-pointer.
• Repeat until you’ve made 20 shots.

Trace the Lane

This drill helps you work on your footwork when changing direction quickly, which you often need to do on the court to get open for a shot.

• Begin on the baseline at the bottom of the lane with a partner behind you holding a basketball.
• Sprint up the lane until you reach the elbow.
• Reverse pivot to face the baseline and defensive slide to the other elbow.
• Pivot again and run along the half circle at the top of the key.
• Catch a pass from your partner at the elbow and shoot a jump shot.
• Repeat until you’ve made 20 shots

Basketball Balance Drills

Lunge Lateral/Back Shot

Performing a Lateral Lunge to each side before shooting a jump shot teaches your body to stay centered, which it needs to be when you take your shot.

• Stand slightly behind the free throw line with your knees slightly bent and both hands gripping the basketball.
• Lunge laterally to the right and then to the left.
• Return to the starting position and immediately take a jump shot.
• Repeat until you’ve made 20 shots

Jump Front/Back Shot

Performing two jumps before taking a shot helps you keep your body stable even when you must make several moves to get open for your shot.

• Stand slightly behind the free throw line with your knees slightly bent and both hands gripping the basketball.
• Take one hop forward, then hop backwards to your original position.
• Immediately shoot a jump shot.
• Repeat until you’ve made 20 shots

• Basketball Balance Training For Court Performance and Injury Prevention
• 2 Advanced Basketball Agility Drills