Basketball Shooting Drills: 7 Exercises to Improve Your Jump Shot

By Mike Chen · May 26, 2026

Why Shooting Drills Matter More Than Talent

Shooting is the most important skill in basketball, and it's also the most trainable. While athleticism has a genetic ceiling, shooting accuracy is almost entirely a product of repetition and proper mechanics. The best shooters in basketball history — Stephen Curry, Ray Allen, Reggie Miller — weren't born great shooters. They became great through thousands of hours of deliberate, structured practice.

This guide presents 7 shooting drills that progress from fundamental form work to game-simulation exercises. Each drill targets a specific aspect of shooting: mechanics, consistency, range, speed, and pressure performance.

Drill 1: Form Shooting (The Foundation)

Purpose: Build perfect shooting mechanics through close-range, slow-motion repetition.

Setup: Stand 3-5 feet from the basket, directly in front of the rim.

Execution:

Hold the ball in your shooting hand only (non-shooting hand behind your back).
Set your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, shooting foot slightly forward.
Focus on the "BEEF" fundamentals: Balance (stable base), Eyes (on the front of the rim), Elbow (under the ball, forming an L-shape), Follow-through (wrist snap, fingers pointing down).
Shoot with a smooth, one-motion release. The ball should have a high arc and backspin.
Make 20 shots in a row before moving back one step. If you miss, start the count over.

Key Focus: Consistent release point and follow-through. Every shot should look identical.

Duration: 10-15 minutes at the start of every shooting session.

Drill 2: Around the World (Spot Shooting)

Purpose: Develop consistency from multiple spots on the court.

Setup: Mark 5-7 spots around the perimeter at a comfortable shooting distance (start at 12-15 feet, progress to three-point range).

Execution:

Start at the right corner. Take 5 shots from each spot.
Track your makes at each spot. Goal: 3 out of 5 (60%) from every spot.
Move to the next spot after completing 5 shots.
Complete the full circuit (all spots) and record your total percentage.
Progress: Increase distance by 2 feet once you consistently hit 70% from all spots.

Key Focus: Consistent mechanics regardless of court position. Your shot should look the same from every angle.

Duration: 15-20 minutes.

Drill 3: Mikan Drill (Layup and Close-Range Touch)

Purpose: Develop soft hands and touch around the basket. Named after George Mikan, the NBA's first dominant big man.

Setup: Stand directly under the basket.

Execution:

Start on the right side of the basket. Shoot a right-handed layup off the backboard.
Grab the rebound and immediately go up with a left-handed layup on the left side.
Continue alternating sides for 30 seconds or 20 makes.
Progress: Add a jump hook variation — catch the ball, take one step, and shoot a hook shot.

Key Focus: Quick release, using the backboard, and finishing with both hands. This drill builds confidence for in-game situations around the rim.

Duration: 5 minutes.

Drill 4: Catch and Shoot (Off-Movement Shooting)

Purpose: Practice shooting immediately after receiving a pass, simulating game situations where you don't have time to set up.

Setup: You need a passer (or a rebounding machine). Position yourself at various spots around the perimeter.

Execution:

Start at the wing. The passer stands near the basket with the ball.
Cut to an open spot and call for the ball.
Catch the ball and shoot in one fluid motion. Your feet should be set as you catch, and you should release within 1 second.
Make 5 shots from each of 5 spots (25 total makes).
Progress: Add a V-cut or L-cut before receiving the pass. Add a defender who closes out after the pass.

Key Focus: Quick release and foot preparation. Your feet should be ready to shoot before the ball reaches your hands.

Duration: 15-20 minutes.

Drill 5: Free Throw Pressure Drill

Purpose: Build mental toughness and consistency at the free throw line under simulated pressure.

Setup: Stand at the free throw line with a rebounder.

Execution:

Shoot 10 free throws. Count your makes.
If you make fewer than 8, do 10 push-ups (or another penalty) before trying again.
Progress: "Must make" situations — you must make the last 2 free throws to "win the game." If you miss either, you "lose" and do the penalty.
Advanced: Shoot free throws when fatigued (after sprints or conditioning drills) to simulate late-game situations.

Key Focus: Pre-shot routine consistency. Every free throw should have the exact same routine: bounce the ball X times, take a deep breath, focus on the front of the rim, shoot.

Duration: 10 minutes.

Drill 6: Off-the-Dribble Pull-Up Shooting

Purpose: Practice shooting off the dribble, which is essential for creating your own shot.

Setup: Start at the top of the key or wing with the ball.

Execution:

Dribble toward the basket at game speed for 2-3 dribbles.
Pick up the ball and shoot a pull-up jumper from the elbow or free throw line area.
Use both right-hand and left-hand dribbles. Practice going both directions.
Make 10 shots from each direction (20 total).
Progress: Add a crossover or hesitation dribble before pulling up. Add a defender who trails or contests.

Key Focus: Footwork on the gather. Your last dribble should set up your shooting footwork — the ball should come up as your feet are setting.

Duration: 15 minutes.

Drill 7: Game-Speed Shooting Circuit

Purpose: Combine all shooting skills into a high-intensity, game-realistic circuit.

Setup: Full court with a passer/rebounder. Use cones to mark spots.

Execution:

Sprint from half-court to the right corner, catch and shoot. (1 rep)
Sprint to the right wing, catch and shoot. (1 rep)
Dribble from the wing to the elbow, pull-up jumper. (1 rep)
Sprint to the left wing, catch and shoot. (1 rep)
Sprint to the left corner, catch and shoot. (1 rep)
Complete the circuit 5 times, tracking total makes out of 25.
Goal: 60%+ makes while fatigued and moving at game speed.

Key Focus: Shooting accuracy under fatigue and at game speed. This is the closest simulation to actual game conditions.

Duration: 15-20 minutes.

Building a Complete Shooting Workout

Here's how to combine these drills into a structured 60-90 minute shooting session:

Form Shooting: 10 minutes (warm-up)
Mikan Drill: 5 minutes (touch work)
Around the World: 15 minutes (spot shooting)
Catch and Shoot: 15 minutes (off-movement)
Off-the-Dribble Pull-Up: 15 minutes (creating shots)
Free Throw Pressure: 10 minutes (mental toughness)
Game-Speed Circuit: 15 minutes (conditioning + shooting)

Tracking Your Progress

Keep a shooting log to track your improvement over time. Record:

Date and duration of the session
Makes and attempts for each drill
Overall percentage
Any mechanical notes (e.g., "elbow flaring on long shots")
Weekly and monthly percentage trends

Shooting improvement is gradual. Expect to see 5-10% improvement over a month of consistent practice. The key is daily repetition — even 30 minutes of focused shooting practice every day will produce dramatic results over a season.

Final Thoughts

Great shooters are made in empty gyms. These 7 drills cover every aspect of shooting — form, consistency, range, speed, pressure, and game simulation. Commit to regular, structured practice and track your progress. The results will show up in games when it matters most.