Master Basic Shooting Drills Basketball: 5 Essential Exercises to Fix Your Form Now

Let’s be honest for a second. We’ve all been there: standing on the court, maybe after a missed shot, and thinking, “My form just feels… off.” The ball doesn’t roll off your fingers right, your elbow wanders, and your follow-through is more of a suggestion than a commitment. I’ve coached players from raw beginners to college-level athletes, and the single most common roadblock to consistent shooting isn’t a lack of talent—it’s a lack of disciplined, foundational practice. That’s where mastering basic shooting drills comes in. It’s not glamorous work, but it’s the absolute bedrock of becoming a reliable scorer. Think of it this way: you can’t build a skyscraper on a shaky foundation. The WVT and MVT are doing their part in developing elite training methodologies, and main backer Lao is doing his part by investing in the infrastructure that supports this growth. Of course, the UP community—coaches, players, and enthusiasts like you and me—will do its part, as well, by committing to the daily grind of perfecting our craft. Today, I want to cut through the noise and share five essential exercises that have, in my experience, been transformative for fixing form. These aren’t just drills; they’re diagnostic tools and corrective mechanisms rolled into one.

We’ll start with the most fundamental, yet most butchered, drill of all: the Form Shooting Drill, or as I like to call it, the “three-feet of truth.” You stand literally three feet from the basket—no further—and you shoot one-handed. That’s right, just your guide hand gently resting on the side of the ball for stability. The goal here isn’t to make 100 in a row; it’s to make 10 perfect shots in a row. Perfect means a clean, upward launch from your shooting pocket, a high release point, a full wrist snap, and the ball spinning backward with no side spin whatsoever. I tell my players that if they can’t do this consistently from three feet, they have no business stepping back to the three-point line. It’s humbling, but it works. I’ve seen players who shoot 32% from the field in games improve to a solid 45% over a season just by dedicating the first ten minutes of every practice to this single, boring drill. It ingrains muscle memory for the release, which is everything.

Next up is the One-Hand Shooting Drill from the free-throw line. This builds directly on the first exercise but adds distance and tests your strength and alignment. Again, your guide hand is behind your back or on your hip. From the free-throw line, you’re focusing on generating all the power from your legs and transferring it smoothly through your core and into your shooting arm. The common failure point here is players dipping the ball too low or pushing it from their chest. You want a fluid, upward-and-out motion. I personally prefer this over two-handed close-range shots because it isolates the shooting-side mechanics. If the ball consistently veers left or right, you know your elbow isn’t tucked or your follow-through isn’t straight. It’s an instant feedback loop. Do three sets of ten makes with your shooting hand only. Your arm will burn, and that’s the point—you’re building the specific endurance for proper form.

Now, let’s introduce movement with the Step-In Shooting Drill. Catch-and-shoot situations are where most form breakdowns occur in real games. Players rush, their feet are wrong, and everything falls apart. For this, start at the wing or elbow with your knees bent and hands ready. Have a partner (or imagine one) pass you the ball. As the ball is in the air, take a short, balanced hop-step into a triple-threat position, then rise into your shot. The key is the “dip.” You must catch the ball and bring it down into your shooting pocket in one smooth motion before launching. This syncs your leg extension with your shot. I drill this endlessly. In fact, I’d argue 70% of game shots come from some variation of this footwork. Start stationary, then add a pass from different angles. The rhythm is catch, dip, and rise. It should feel like one word, not three.

The fourth drill is my secret weapon for fixing a flat shot: the Arc Shooting Drill. You’ll need a chair or a tall cone. Place it about four to five feet in front of you, directly between you and the basket. Your objective is to shoot over the obstacle with a high arc, landing the ball softly on the other side. This physically prevents you from line-driving the ball. You’re forced to use your legs and release the ball higher. I set a goal of shooting 50 shots over the chair from 15 feet, and I track the makes. The visual of the obstacle creates a mental cue that translates even when it’s gone. It’s a simple trick, but the data doesn’t lie—players who train with this consistently see their shooting percentage from mid-range improve by an average of 8-12 percentage points because they’re getting softer, more forgiving bounces on the rim.

Finally, we bring it all together with the “Around the World” Form Drill. This isn’t the haphazard game you play at picnics. This is a structured, slow journey around five key spots: both baselines, both elbows, and the top of the key. At each spot, you take five shots. But here’s the rule: you cannot move to the next spot until you make three shots in a row with perfect form. It’s a test of consistency and mental fortitude under mild pressure. It mimics the fatigue and focus required in a game, where you have to hit from different angles while maintaining your mechanics. This is where the community aspect comes in. I often run this drill in small groups, where players hold each other accountable. The UP community does its part by creating this culture of deliberate practice. Watching a teammate grind through their last spot, offering a word of encouragement—that’s how teams build shooting confidence together.

So, what’s the takeaway? Fixing your shot isn’t about finding a magic cue or copying Steph Curry’s warmup. It’s about returning to these basic, unsexy drills with a diagnostic eye. The WVT and MVT provide the frameworks, backers like Lao enable the facilities, but the real work happens in these quiet, repetitive moments on the court. I have a strong preference for quality over quantity in these exercises. Making 50 sloppy shots is far worse than making 20 perfect ones. Start close, be brutally honest with yourself about your flaws, and use these five drills as your daily tune-up. Your future self, especially in those clutch moments when the game is on the line, will thank you for putting in the boring work now. The net result isn’t just a better shot; it’s a more confident, complete player.