Serious basketball players are always looking for ways to improve their game. In this post we’re going to share 2 shooting drills you can do at home at any time. You don’t need a hoop, don’t need a lot of space, just a flat surface and ball. So, if you’re looking to get better, keep reading and check out the videos below.
The shooting drills below will help increase the consistency of your release and improve the accuracy of your release point. Your release dictates the spin of the ball. Our goal is to help you achieve the perfect backward spin. This will help you shoot a soft shot and get that shooter’s bounce.
Proper Stance
I teach an offset shooting stance that aims to free up the shooting arm and shoulder. This allows for a straight extension to the target. The proper shooting stance will have your feet and shoulders slightly offset from the basket or target. Right handed shooters should stand with their right foot and shoulder slightly closer to the target. Left handed shooters should do the opposite, with their left foot and shoulder closer to the target. To test your stance, ensure your shooting arm elbow can point at the target. Your arm should extend to the target comfortably while in a shooting motion.
Drill 1: Wall Form Shooting
Our first drill is our wall form shooting. You will need a ball and a flat, vertical surface such as a wall. Place a target approximately 2-3 ft above your head. You can place the target slightly higher if the ceiling height will allow. Do not conduct this drill at the full height of a basketball goal (10 ft). Rather, we are after a comfortable form shooting height relative to the height and strength of the player.
Use 1 hand at a time to do this shooting drill. If your hand is too small to do the drill with one hand, use two fingers from the guide hand. Follow the instructions as shown in the video. Balance the ball in your shooting hand near the temple. Elbow pointed toward the target with the upper arm parallel to the ground. Shoot the ball at the target, snapping the wrist upon the release of the ball. You should end with the look of your ‘hand in the cookie jar’.
Do this drill 20 to 50 times, 4-7 days/week. Be sure to do this drill using both hands!
Drill 2 – Form Shooting Drill Laying Down
This shooting drill is performed while lying down. It’s an effective drill that can be executed on the floor or any comfortable surface. The focus of the drill is consistent release of the ball that produces consistently straight back spin. The ball should not spin at an angle or to the side, it should spin perfectly backward. This backward spin is what creates a soft shot, giving you that shooters bounce.
Conduct the drill using 1 hand at a time. You may use your guide hand in this drill. However, if your guide hand is too involved in the shot, only use 2 fingers to stabilize the ball. Balance the ball in the shooting hand, aimed at the ceiling. Shoot the ball straight into the air. It should go straight up and down, making it easy to catch on its descent. Again, focus on good snap of wrist at release, straight back spin and a consistent ball flight. Hold the release as the ball descends to you.
Do this drill 50-100 times, 4-7 days/week until you have perfect spin/release. Be sure to do this drill using both hands.
Safety Precautions
Basketballs can damage walls, lights and other breakable items in your house. Conduct all drills away from anything breakable. Confirm with a parent or guardian if a location is safe to conduct these drills.
At Home Shooting Drills
These shooting drills can be conducted anytime as long as you have a ball. They can really help a player with inconsistent spin or ball flight. I have known players to do these almost every night resulting in significant shooting improvement. Let us know if these drills have helped you. Remember, shooters shoot! So keep shooting!
BtL
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