BUCKEYE SHOOTING DRILL

Buckeye Shooting works on perimeter shooting, ball handling, and conditioning. 

Line of 1's have a ball. 

Line of 2's start just inside the sideline. 

Line of 3's have a ball and line up along the lane line. 

1 and 2 start at the same time. 1 speed dribbles around the cone. 2 sprints around the cone. Designate that 1 goes closest to the cone and 2 goes over 1 to avoid a collision. 2 will spot up at spot they want to shoot from. When 1 goes around the cone they make a pass to 2. 2 shoots. 1 continues and receives a pass from 3. 1 shoots. Each player gets their own rebound. Players rotate 2-1-3.     

Drill Variation:  Require 1's (ball handlers) to make a dribble attack move during their speed dribble.

TWENTY SHOOTING DRILL

I'm always looking for different ways to incorporate shooting into my practices. I typically try to use drills that are as game-like as possible. But, there are occasions when I am looking to work on getting more shots up so our players can work on technique, confidence, shooting under pressure, or just getting some reps. 

The 20 SHOOTING DRILL will get your players a lot of shots with some pressure added.  

• Put three players at each basket with one basketball. 
• Players are competing against the other players at their basket.
• First player to 20 points, wins. 
• Each player keeps their own score, and calls out their score after each make.
• Shot made inside the three point line = 1 point
• Shot made beyond the three point line = 2 points.
• All shots must be 15 feet and beyond.
• Player shoots until they miss and when they miss a new shooter comes in. Shooter cannot shoot from the same spot two shots in a row.     

You can add other variations to this drill like:

• Have players shoot from specific spots on the floor.
• Put a time limit on the drill and when time expires, the player with the most points, wins.
• Add a second ball to increase the number of shots
• Give a bonus point for making five shots in a row

OFFENSE IS NOT AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SYSTEM

As coaches we say "We need more shooters."  In reality we should be saying "We need more makers."  Any player can be a shooter, but not every player is a maker.  Every player brings a lot of value to their team.  Each player is important.  But when it comes to taking shots not every player should have the same opportunity.  There is a reason some players are open when they have the ball on the perimeter.  Just because you are open doesn't mean that situation should warrant a shot attempt.  Players need to shoot from where they are capable of making shots.  Because of this it is up to the coach to help their players understand what is and what isn't a good shot for them.
Here are a few ideas on how to help define what a good shot is for each player:

1. Chart shooting drills in practice. This data can be invaluable.  If a player is shooting a low percentage in shooting drills from around fifteen feet, then it shouldn't be a surprise that they aren't making any fifteen footers during games. 

2. Before allowing a player to shoot three point shots have them earn their 3-Point License. There are various ways to earn a license. One would be to shoot a series of 50 three point shots and having to make a certain number of those shots.  This must be done three separate times (not necessarily in a row) before a player is allowed to shoot a three point shot.

3. Talk to your players and be specific.  Examples:  Let them know that you don't want them shooting a runner.  Let them know they aren't allowed to shoot a three point shot off the dribble. 

4.  Help your better scorers understand what good shots are for them as well.  Sometimes scorers feel they can take a high number of shots, but many of those are contested.  They must understand that because they can score doesn't mean every shot is a good shot for them.

5. Put players in position for them to have success.  If a player is a true post player and excels at scoring around the basket it wouldn't make sense for them to be playing out on the perimeter for half of each possession.  If you have a small guard who would struggle in the post, why would you have them post up in the block?

Players want to and love to shoot the ball.  It's part of a basketball player's DNA.  The facts are that some are better "makers" than others, and those players need to be getting more of the shots your team takes. Taking shots on offense is not an equal opportunity system.

TRANSITION 3's SHOOTING DRILL

1 starts with the ball at the top of the key area.  The rest of the group forms a single line at the half court line.

The drill starts with 2 sprinting to a spot beyond the three point line (wing area) and 1 passes them the ball.  1 must make a good pass to 2's target area so they are able to catch and shoot.  After making the pass 1 becomes the rebounder.

After shooting the ball 2 will replace 1 at the top of the key area.  1 grabs the rebound and passes to 2.  1 then sprints around the outside of the drill to the end of the line.

As soon as 1 grabbed the rebound then 3 sprints to the shooting spot behind the three point line.  2 passes to 3 for a shot.

COACHING POINTS
*Have a group doing the same drill on the other half of the court.
*Do not have more than five players in a group to ensure high amounts of reps.
*Have your shooters call for the ball with their hands and feet ready.
*Switch sides so players get reps on both sides of the court.

COACHES SHARE RESPONSE: SHOOTING IN PRACTICE

Thank you to the coaches who took the time to submit a response to the Coaches Share.  Every comment submitted has the potential to give other coaches a new idea that could help their team.

This week's Coaches Share question:  What is your philosophy as to how many minutes of shooting you do in one of your practices?  Do you have a set amount of time for each practice?  Do you try to get your players a certain number of shots?  Does it vary from day to day?

"I make sure to dedicate at least 20 minutes of formal shooting drills for practices.  I always have one drill that is specific by position."

~Coach Michael

"We play a style of basketball that gives us a lot of three point opportunities so we shoot plenty of 3's each day in practice.  I don't set a certain number of minutes each practice that is dedicated to shooting.  I would estimate that each of our players shoot at least one hundred 3's a day though."

~Coach B

"Our first fifteen minutes of practice are dedicated to shooting during and loosening up.  Some days we do more at the end of practice as well."

~Coach T.R. (MA)

COACHES SHARE 8-25-12

Coaches help coaches by sharing.  Email your response to today's Coaches Share question and have your response added to Sunday's blog entry.  Your response can be as long or short as you like.  Email your response to  dietelgreg@gmail.com

QUESTION:  What is your philosophy as to how many minutes of shooting you do in one of your practices?  Do you have a set amount of time for each practice?  Do you try to get a certain number of shots?  Does it vary from day to day?


Email your response to dietelgreg@gmail.com and be part of the discussion.  Your response is then posted in tomorrow's blog.