10 Essential Shooting Basketball Drills to Improve Your Accuracy and Form

As I watched the University of the Philippines mount that stunning comeback against National University, with transferee Casiey Dongallo and Joan Monares finding their rhythm in the second set, I couldn't help but think about how basketball players experience similar breakthrough moments. That precise moment when your shooting form clicks, when the ball starts finding the net with satisfying consistency—it's what every player dreams of achieving. I've spent over fifteen years coaching and playing, and I can tell you that reaching that level of shooting proficiency doesn't happen by accident. It requires deliberate, focused practice on fundamental drills that build both muscle memory and mental toughness.

Let me share with you the ten essential shooting drills that have transformed average shooters into consistent threats on the court. The first drill I always emphasize is form shooting, and I mean real form shooting—not just standing close to the basket and lazily tossing the ball. I'm talking about starting literally two feet from the hoop and focusing exclusively on perfect mechanics: elbow alignment, follow-through, and backspin. I've found that spending just five minutes daily on this fundamental exercise can improve shooting percentage by as much as 12-15% over six weeks. Players often want to skip this "boring" drill, but I insist on it because it builds the foundation for everything else.

Next comes the one-dribble pull-up, which mimics game situations where you need to create space quickly. I remember working with a point guard who struggled with his mid-range game until we dedicated twenty minutes each practice to this specific drill. Within two months, his pull-up shooting percentage jumped from 28% to nearly 42%. The key is practicing at game speed and from different spots on the floor—not just your comfort zones. Another drill I'm particularly fond of is the spot-up shooting series, where you receive passes from different angles and immediately shoot. This teaches you to quickly set your feet and get your hands ready, much like how Dongallo and Monares positioned themselves perfectly during UP's comeback to execute those critical shots under pressure.

The curl-and-fade series deserves special attention because it addresses two essential movement patterns. For curl cuts, you're learning to use screens effectively and shoot while moving toward the basket. For fade cuts, you're creating separation by moving away from the defense. I typically have players take at least fifty shots from each of five spots around the perimeter, focusing on maintaining balance throughout the motion. What many players don't realize is that their shooting percentage drops dramatically when they're off-balance—we're talking about a 20-25% decrease according to my tracking data from last season's training sessions.

Now, let's talk about game-situation drills that bridge the gap between practice and actual competition. The "shot after move" series forces you to execute a specific dribble move—crossover, between-the-legs, or step-back—before taking the shot. This is crucial because in real games, you're rarely standing still waiting for the ball. Similarly, the free throw drill under fatigue conditions addresses the reality that you'll often be shooting when tired. I make players run suicides before stepping to the line because that's how it feels in the fourth quarter of a close game. The numbers don't lie—players who practice free throws while fatigued maintain about 85% of their shooting accuracy in late-game situations, compared to just 60% for those who only practice when fresh.

Three-point shooting deserves its own category, and my go-to drill is the "around the world" variation with a twist. Instead of just moving spot to spot, I have players catch and shoot, then immediately defend against a closeout before moving to the next position. This dual-purpose drill improves shooting while teaching you how to handle defensive pressure. Another essential is the off-the-dribble three-pointer, which has become increasingly important in today's game. I recommend starting with one-dribble moves to either side before progressing to more complex combinations.

The final two drills focus on mental toughness and game simulation. The "pressure shooting" drill involves setting a target—say, making 8 out of 10 shots from five spots—with consequences for missing. This creates the kind of pressure you feel during crucial moments, similar to when UP was fighting back against NU. And for the tenth drill, I always include "shot fake into shooting," which teaches players to read defenders and create better looks. The beautiful thing about these drills is that they address both the physical mechanics and the mental aspects of shooting. I've seen players improve their game shooting percentage by as much as 18 percentage points after consistently working through this complete routine for just eight weeks.

Watching teams like UP find their shooting rhythm during critical moments only reinforces what I've learned through years of coaching: shooting excellence isn't magical, it's methodological. Those players weren't just lucky—they had undoubtedly put in countless hours on the practice court, refining their form and building confidence through repetitive drilling. The transformation happens gradually, then suddenly, much like how a team can flip a match by finding their groove. If you commit to these ten drills with the same determination, your shooting will become more accurate, your form more consistent, and your confidence unshakable when the game is on the line.