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

FREE THROW SHOOTING DRILL THAT ADDS GAME-LIKE PRESSURE: 1-AND-1 STREAKS

1-and-1 Streaks is a free throw shooting drill that you can use with your entire team.  This drill gives players some added pressure to make it more game-like.

Split the team up into smaller groups at each basket.  It is not necessary to have an equal number of players at each basket.  Let your team know how many minutes they will be shooting free throws. The goal is to have the most successful 1-and-1 streaks, as a group, by the end of the drill.  

For explaining purposes let's say that there are three players at a basket (Player A, Player B, and Player C).  Each time a player gets their chance to shoot, they shoot a 1-and -1 free throw situation.

Player A steps to the free throw line to shoot a 1-and-1.  If they miss the first attempt they don't get to shoot the second free throw (just like a game).  Then Player B gets their turn to shoot.  If Player B makes the first and misses the second free throw this group still does not have a successful 1-and-1.  You have to make the first and second shot to count it as part of a streak.

If Player C makes the first and then the second free throw the group now has a streak of one.  Now Player A shoots again.  If Player A makes both the first and the second free throw their group has a streak of two.  Now it's Player B's turn again, and if they do not make the first and second free throw, the group is now back at zero.

The group that has the most consecutive successful 1-and-1's at the end of the drill, wins the drill.

This is an effective drill because it can add some focus to practicing free throws in a practice setting. The players at each basket are counting on each other and this can make shooting free throws more game-like.

2 OR 8 FREE THROW SHOOTING DRILL

2 or 8 is a free throw shooting drill that includes both pressure shooting and conditioning.  This drill is best utilized with two players shooting at one basket.

Player A goes to the free throw line while Player B rebounds for them.  Player A will shoot free throws until they either make 8 in a row or miss 2 in a row.  If Player A misses 2 in a row before they make 8 in a row they run a predetermined number of sprints.  If Player A makes 8 in a row before they miss 2 in a row they do not have to run.

Player A could make 5 in a row, then miss one.  If they miss the next shot, they run (that would be 2 misses in a row).  If they make that next shot their count is now at 1 in a row and they continue.

Player B starts to shoot once Player A is either finished with their 8 makes in a row or running their sprints for missing 2 in a row.

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.

FULL COURT BLAZER SHOOTING DRILL

Full Court Blazer shooting combines a variety of skills into one drill as it emphasizes shooting, passing and catching, conditioning, and communication. 

The drill starts with three lines at each baseline (there are only two lines shown in this diagram).  At one end the first player in each line has a basketball.  At the other end of the court the second person in each line has a basketball.

The drill begins with at the three players (4, 5, and 6) sprinting in their lane to the other end of the court.  As 4, 5, and 6 are approaching the three point line area 1, 2, and 3 will make a pass to them.  4, 5, and 6 will catch, get their feet set, and shoot.  Shooters will get their own rebound.  After they get their rebound they will pass their ball to the next 1, 2, and 3 in line.

The 1, 2, and 3 that made the pass will now sprint to the other end of the court in their their lanes.  They will receive a pass from 4, 5, and 6 as they approach the 3 point line and take a shot.  They will get their own rebound and pass the ball to the next players in each line, and then go to the end of that line.

After 4, 5, and 6 made the pass they will then sprint to the other end of the court to be the shooters, and the drill continuously repeats itself.

The coach can determine the general area where the shots should come from.  You can work on three point shots, mid-range jump shots, or even layups.  A drill variation would be to have the players use a shot fake and one hard dribble right or left then pull up for a jump shot.

To add even more focus or competitiveness to your team put time on the clock and count their made baskets.  Keep track of the number of makes and use that as a number to surpass the next time you do the drill. 

WIN THE GAME FREE THROW SHOOTING DRILL

As every coach knows, free throw shooting is a big part of every game.  Win The Game drill can be beneficial to your players as it puts some pressure on the players while they are shooting in hope of making it more game-like.  Shooting free throws in this manner keeps your players from going through the motions in practice while shooting free throws. 

SKILLS COVERED
*Shooting form
*Pressure free throw shooting

 ALIGNMENT
*This drill can be done individually, in small groups, or as a total team.

EXECUTING THE DRILL
*For this example assume we are doing this drill individually.
*Coach sets up a game situation. "The score is 70-70, and it's late in the game."
*Player shoots ten free throws. Every free throw made equals 1 point for your team. Every free throw missed equals 2 points for the opposing team.
*After ten free throws you should want your team to have more points than your opponent.

DRILL VARIATION
*If this is done as a team, each player will shoot one free throw. Keep score the same way.
*If in small groups of 3 or 4, keep score the same way.
*To add more pressure the coach can designate the player(s) or team runs __ sprints if you lose they end up having a lower score than the opponent during the drill.