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Youth Basketball Shooting Drills

One of the most challenging skills for youth basketball players to master is shooting. That said, everyone who has ever laced up their basketball shoes dreams of being a scorer, of taking the last second shot that gives his/her team a big win.

Author: Trevor Sumner
Date: Oct 13, 2009 - 4:03:23 AM

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One of the most challenging skills for youth basketball players to master is shooting. That said, everyone who has ever laced up their basketball shoes dreams of being a scorer, of taking the last second shot that gives his/her team a big win. It is true that few successes in team sports feel as good as knocking down a big shot, but for that to happen, you have to put in the time in the gym. The only way to become a great shooter is mastering the proper fundamentals and then taking thousands of shots weekly through different types of basketball shooting drills

Some of the game's greatest scorers were not necessarily great shooters. A tall post player for example may get most of his/her points inside the paint and still struggle from the free throw line. The game's greatest shooters have an important combination of natural ability, willingness to stay in the gym for extra shooting practice, and confidence.

Probably the single most important quality to possess to be a great basketball shooter is confidence. If you receive the ball unsure of your ability to make the shot and you hesitate, you're better off not shooting at all. On the other hand, if you are open and are decisive about shooting as you receive the pass, your shooting percentage will improve automatically. Every player on the floor, therefore, has a responsibility to take good shots within the offense when they are open. It's also important to not shoot every time you think you're open or you'll be known as a ball hog; take the opportunities that come naturally in the offense and know you're limits.

With proper technique and practice, you can develop a soft touch. It's called a "swish" for a reason. Good shots are soft, and even if they hit the rim they may still go in. Developing a soft touch is accomplished by shooting the ball with the power coming from your legs, releasing it from the pads of your hands and fingers, and following through to produce proper backspin,. An improper shot using solely arm strength and not producing adequate backspin will typically bounce off the rim more forcefully. They're called "bricks" for a reason!

Below are some tips for improved shooting as well as some fun drills for your youth basketball team's practice. You can also find more free basketball skills & drills videos and tutorials online at websites like Weplay.com.

Shooting Tips for Basketball

• Keep your hands above your elbows so you are prepared to catch a pass and shoot in one motion.
• Be balanced in a good, athletic stance with your knees slightly bent, and your feet slightly more than shoulder width apart.
• Keep your eyes on the inside cylinder of the rim. Do not watch the flight of the ball.
• Shoot only with your dominant hand and use your off hand for support only. Keep your off hand straight like a board.
• The power of your shot should come from your legs, not your arms.
• Shoot with the ball in the pads of your hands and fingers, not in the palm.
• Extend your shooting arm, snap your wrist and follow through as if your hand is slapping the front of the rim. This will provide the proper backspin.

Basketball Shooting Drills

• 21 Shooting
  Players partner up with one ball and go to a basket. The coach determines the spot from which they should shoot (e.g. the left wing). On the whistle, the first player attempts a shot, and follows it for the rebound. They then get to shoot a follow shot from lay-up distance. They then pass the ball to their teammate who does the same thing. If the initial shot is made, the team gets 2 points. If the follow shot is made, they get 1 point. This continues until one team reaches 21. Only one follow shot per turn is allowed. If a player misses both the shot and the follow they score no points and pass the ball back to their partner. After each round, the coach picks a new spot and the players rotate to a new basket. This is a great drill that reinforces catching and shooting in the same motion, following your shot, making a good pass, and shooting decisively without hesitation
  
  
• Windshield Basketball Shooting Drill
  This basketball shooting drill teaches players to sprint from baseline-to-baseline shooting. A player or coach stands at the top of the key passing the ball to the shooter as he runs under the basket from one side of the hoop to the other. Another player stands under the hoop rebounding and passing back to the passer at the top of the key. The key to this basketball drill is footwork. You have to be squared up to the basket in order to get the lift and power to go up for your jump shot. Make sure your body is balanced and turned towards the basket. This basketball drill works on conditioning, balance, catch & shoot skills, positioning, and footwork.

View all articles by Trevor Sumner

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