Basketball Drills - 2-Man Shooting Drills

From the Coach’s Clipboard Basketball Playbook, @ http://www.coachesclipboard.net

Here are several partner shooting drills. Have each player get a partner and use all of your baskets. With all of these drills, make sure your shooters are squared up, using good shooting technique, elbow in, follow through, no drifting sideways. Shooters should receive the ball in triple threat position. Make sure the passes are sharp and accurate. Players should sprint after the ball and to their shooting spots (game speed)... no loafing! Make the drills competitive and have each pair keep score. Losers do push-ups.

Shooting Drill #1, Catch and Shoot.

Player #1 makes a good chest pass to player #2. #1 follows the pass and closes-out on #2, but does not try to block the shot or simply fly by the shooter. #2 takes the shot (no dribbling)and follows it for the rebound. Now player #2 passes back out to player #1 (who is at position A) and closes-out on #1, who is now the shooter. After both players have shot from position A, they move next to position B, and on around the circle and then back around again (E->D->C->B->A). If you are coaching younger players, have them move in closer so that correct shooting form is not compromised.

Shooting Drill #2, Shot Fake and Shoot Jumper.

Follow the same procedure as in Drill #1, but this time have your shooter first receive the pass in triple threat position, make a shot fake or jab step, move around the defender using no more than one or two dribbles, and then shoot the jump shot. The shooter can move in either direction, using a pump fake and moving right, or a shot fake and crossover move to the left.

Shooting Drill #3, Fake and Drive for the Lay-up.

Again, the same procedure is used. This time the receiver makes a shot fake and explodes through the defender (rub off his shoulder) for the drive to the hoop and lay-up.

Shooting Drill #4, Anything Goes!

Same procedure as above, but now the shooter has all of the above options and the defender plays all out defense.

Shooting Drill #5, Elbow Shooting.

Player #1 is the re-bounder for player #2. #2 starts at the left elbow, fakes left and cuts to the right elbow. #1 passes to #2 so that the pass arrives at the right elbow the same time #2 does. #2 plants the inside foot, squares up and takes the shot. Make sure that correct shooting form is being used and that the shooter does not "drift" sideways. #1 rebounds the shot and passes back to #2 for the shot now at the left elbow. #2 continues moving back and forth from elbow to elbow for a total of ten shots. Then the players switch roles and #1 is the shooter for ten shots. You can repeat this for as many sets as you want, getting 20, 30, 40 or 50 shots for each player.

The elbow shooting drill can be modified. You can have the shooter catch the ball, make a shot fake, cross-over dribble to the middle of the paint (between the free throw line and the circle hash marks) for the short jumper. This is especially useful for your post players, helping them to acquire that "soft touch" on the short, point blank jumper.

Shooting Drill #6, Partner Shooting.

This drill will help shooting, spotting up, and will emphasize that shooters should follow their shots. Each player gets a partner, preferably with another player who plays a similar position. That is, the a perimeter player should pair up with another perimeter player, and post players should pair up together. Each pair has a ball. Use all the baskets in the gym.

For perimeter players: One player starts on the right wing (player #1) and the other starts opposite on the left wing (player #2). Player #1 on the right wing shoots, follows the shot, rebounds and passes out to #2 on the left wing. Player #1 then spots up at another place on the perimeter. Player #2 takes the shot, follows it, rebounds, and passes to #1, who is now spotted up in a different location. This rotation continues, with the players moving around to all the locations that they will normally shoot from in a game... corners, top of the key, etc. For a variation, do the same drill but instead of spot stationary shooting, have the shooter fake the shot, dribble adjust, and then take the jumper.

For post players: Use the same drill as above except the post players should be taking their shots inside, in the paint, around the hoop, and can actually work on their post-up moves. After rebounding, the player can dribble the ball out and pass down into the post to his partner.

With all of these drills, make sure your shooters are squared up, using good technique, elbow in, follow through, no drifting sideways. Shooters should receive the ball in "triple threat" position. Make sure the passes are sharp and accurate. Players should sprint after the ball and to their shooting spots (game speed)... no loafing! Make the drills competitive and have each pair keep score. Losers do push-ups.

Helpful videos.

Steve Alford's Competitive Shooting Drills
with Steve Alford, University of New Mexico Head Coach; former University of Iowa Head Coach

Steve Alford was known as one of the best collegiate shooters to ever play the game. In this video, Alford shares the competitive shooting drills that helped him become such a renowned game-time shooter. Alford demonstrates eight shooting drills that will challenge any shooter to get better with every shot. All drills are demonstrated against a teammate or the clock to make situations as game-like as possible. Every drill includes precise coaching points and the purpose of the drill. This video will help your players make the shots you need when it counts Everything presented can be incorporated into individual or team workouts. 39 minutes. (more info)

Price: $39.99

Buy Now from the Coach's Clipboard Basketball DVD - Video Store!

30 Competitive Shooting Drills
with Dave Loos, Austin Peay State University Head Coach

In this high-intensity shooting video, Coach Dave Loos shares a wide variety of shooting drills to make every player on the court a better shooter. There are 15 drills each for perimeter and post shooting players. Each drill incorporates competition, intensity, and conditioning while emphasizing and maintaining proper shot preparation and technique. Whether it is a jump shot, a 3-point shot, or short range, Loos stresses the importance of footwork, balance, quickness, and hustle. Learn and teach perimeter players to effectively use shot fakes, move without the ball, and improve concentration. In addition, use these drills to develop quick, powerful, and fundamentally sound scorers. With game shot and game speed simulation, these drills are very practical for improving individual and team shooting! 52 minutes. (more info)

Price: $39.99