This database is divided into 3 sections, for ease of selecting specific drills to aim at the needs of a basketball player. They are Form Shooting, to emphasize the form of the shooter, Repetition Shots, in order to ingrain the basketball principles necessary to make a shot mechanical and automatic, and Game Speed Practice, to teach basketball players how to handle pressure on the actual basketball games.
Form Shooting
One Arm Shots
Stand 10 feet away from the basket and put your non-shooting arm behind your back. Now, lift the ball up to your shooting pocket and flick your wrist, allowing the ball to shoot smoothly into the basket. This should be identical to your normal shooting form. Do this for 10-20 repetitions.
Lying Down Shots
Lie down on the floor. Hold the ball into your normal shooting pocket and shoot it upwards, emphasizing your follow-thru by flicking your wrist. Catch it as it comes back down and repeat. Do this for 25-30 repetitions.
Backboard Bounce
Stand at the side of the backboard and take form shots at it. It will come back to you as it hits the backboard, so catch it quickly and return to your original spot. Do this for 10-20 repetitions.
Power Dribble Inside Shots
Stand 5 feet under the rim and start by bouncing the ball with a power dribble, while simultaneously dropping into a squat. Ride the momentum of the ball into your jump, and take a fluid jump shot into the basket. Do not use the backboard for this drill. Make sure the entire exercise is done smoothly, with no stopping in the middle. Do this for 10 total repetitions from both left and right sides of the rim.
Elbow Shot into Between the Legs Dribble
This is a good exercise to incorporate both a shooting drill and dribbling drill to warm up your ball handling. Stand at any of the two elbows beside the free throw line. Take a jump shot. Run to rebound the ball, then walk back to the opposite elbow while doing crouched down, between the legs dribbling. Repeat the same process on this side. Do this for 10-15 total repetitions.
Repetition Shots
Rising Warmup
Take one shot at 10 feet from the rim, so this would be near the bottom of the rim. Take one shot at 15 feet from the rim, which would be the exact midrange or free throw area. Take one shoot from 20 feet, which would be a 3-pointer. All 3 shots will count for one repetition. Repeat the process starting at the 10 feet area again, but in a different angle. Do this for 5 repetitions per angle, for 5 different angles, for a total of 25 shots.
Turn Shots
This can be done at the free throw line or at the 3 point line, if you are an advanced player. Turn 90 degrees away from the basket. Have a partner throw you the ball as you jump 90 degrees back to face the basket. Upon catching the ball, instantly jump up into your shot and take it. Turn 90 degrees the other way, and do the same thing. Do this drill for 20 total repetitions, 10 from each side.
Time Efficiency - High Release Combo Shots
This exercise is a combination workout designed to optimize time efficiency, if you do not have a partner to rebound for you, and practicing jump shots when you receive the ball from a higher area than your usual Triple Threat pocket. Stand 15 feet away from the basket, at one of the 2 wings. Bounce the ball off the floor hard enough so it reaches your head. Catch it and without bringing it back down to your triple threat pocket, shoot your jump shot. As you land back down, run towards the rim and rebound it. Run to the opposite wing, and do the same. Do this drill for 20 repetitions, 10 from each wing.
Free Throw Jumpers
In order to emphasize the straight line that the ball should follow as it leaves your hand, go to the free throw line and shoot free throw jumpers. Do this drill for 30-40 repetitions.
Shot-and-One
Take your usual jump shot from anywhere from the court. As soon as the ball leaves your fingers, run towards the basket and grab the rebound. Immediately go for an inside follow-up or layup. Run back out and repeat. Do this drill for 10 repetitions or less.
Game Speed Practice
J.J. Reddick Flyby
Start at the 3 point line or slightly behind the free throw area. Take one hard dribble to the right and ride the momentum of the basketball into your jump shot. You should have momentum and be moving at an angle as you take the shot. This teaches you to maintain balance and control of your body. Do this drill for 5 repetitions on the right side and 5 repetitions on the left side, for a total of 10 repetitions.
J.J. Reddick Fake Flyby
Start behind the 3 point line on either of the elbows. Bring the ball up into a shot fake, then drive the ball forward into a dribble while moving one leg at the same time as the ball drops. Have the pivot foot follow suit and use its momentum to rise up into your jump shot. You can practice this drill with momentum, or countering the momentum to still take a straight jump shot. Do this drill for 10 total repetitions, 5 from each elbows.
Freeze Pullup
This drill is taken from the Freeze Pullups DVD. The video emphasized moving quickly forward then as the defense reacts and moves back, immediately jump up to take your shot. Start at the 3 point line, drive forward and take a quick jump shot before the free throw line. Mix this up with dribble moves such as Crossovers or Hesitation Drives. It is important to practice the dribble moves with this drill because it will just be a Free Throw Jumper drill without them. Repeat this drill 10-15 times.
Kobe Post Foul Draw
Stand in the post area, on either elbow, with your back to the basket. Spin the ball into a catch or catch the ball from a partner's pass. As soon as you hold the ball, turn to face your opponent by bringing one leg forward while keeping the pivot foot still planted. As soon as your forward leg hits the floor, swing the ball hard from the left (if you are pivoting from the left) or from the right, towards the other side. The ball and your arms should hit your opponent's hands or arms. When you feel the contact, jump up and take the contested shot. This is a great drill for practicing how to draw fouls, and how to handle contact shots.
Stepback Drive
Start at the 3 point area and take a hard drive dribble, but immediately step back with the other leg as your forward leg goes forward. Take a quick jump shot. Do this drill for 10-15 repetitions.
Be sure to actually implement these drills into your basketball shooting workouts. Don't let them gather dust and be wasted.
