I still remember watching that playoff game where coach Epondulan made a striking observation about his team's performance. Despite shooting a miserable 22 percent in the first half, his team managed to stay competitive purely because of their defensive effort. That game taught me something crucial about basketball - shooting slumps happen to everyone, even professionals, but what separates great players from good ones is how they work through those slumps. Over my fifteen years coaching college basketball, I've seen countless players struggle with their shooting form, only to transform into reliable scorers through dedicated drill work. The truth is, shooting accuracy isn't just about natural talent - it's about developing muscle memory, proper technique, and mental toughness through consistent, focused practice.
Let me share with you ten drills that have consistently helped my players improve their shooting percentages, many of which I wish I'd known during my own playing days. The first drill I always recommend is what I call the "Form Shooting Series," where players start literally three feet from the basket and focus purely on perfect form - elbow under the ball, guide hand steady, follow-through holding the pose. We do this for at least 10 minutes every practice, and I've seen players improve their game shooting percentage by as much as 8-12% within six weeks. Another favorite of mine is the "Around the World" drill, but with a twist - instead of just making shots from different spots, players must make three consecutive shots from each of five positions before moving on. This builds tremendous pressure resistance, something Epondulan's team clearly needed during their awful first half.
What many coaches overlook is game-speed shooting. I can't tell you how many players look great in practice but crumble during games because they've only practiced stationary shots. That's why I'm such a big believer in the "Catch and Shoot" drill with a defender closing out. The shooter starts in the corner, receives a pass, and must get the shot off before the defender reaches them. We track makes out of twenty attempts, and I've found that players who consistently hit 14 or more in practice typically maintain around 45% from three-point range in games. Another drill that produces remarkable results is what I call "Fatigue Shooting," where players must complete a series of full-court sprints before taking game-speed shots. This simulates fourth-quarter exhaustion, and let me tell you, the first time we implemented this drill, our late-game shooting percentage improved by nearly 6% within a month.
One of my somewhat controversial beliefs is that free throw practice should never be just standing at the line alone. Instead, I have players run suicides first, then step to the line with their heart pounding - because that's how it feels in crucial game moments. Last season, one of my point guards improved his free throw percentage from 68% to 84% using this method. Another drill I'm particularly fond of is the "Shot Fake One-Dribble Pull-up," which teaches players to create space against tight defense. We work on this from both wings and the top of the key, focusing on maintaining balance off the dribble. The data I've collected shows that players who master this move increase their mid-range shooting efficiency by approximately 15-20%.
I've also found tremendous value in what I call "Game Situation Shooting," where we recreate specific scenarios from actual games. For instance, we might practice shooting after coming off a double screen with the game clock showing only 5 seconds remaining. This does wonders for building the mental toughness that Epondulan's team demonstrated - the ability to contribute even when your shot isn't falling. Another drill that produces surprisingly quick results is "Eyes-Closed Free Throws," where players develop touch and muscle memory by making shots without visual feedback. Initially, most players struggle to hit even 2 out of 10, but within two weeks, they're typically making 6-7 with their eyes closed, which translates to improved consistency in games.
The ninth drill on my must-do list is what I call "Volume Three-Point Shooting," where players take 100 three-pointers from game spots while tracking their percentage. The key here isn't just shooting - it's shooting with proper form even when tired. I've noticed that players who maintain at least 65% in these practice sessions typically shoot around 38-42% from three in actual games. Finally, my personal favorite - the "Pressure Shooting" drill where the entire team stands around watching one shooter who must make 5 in a row from different spots. The tension is palpable, and it perfectly simulates late-game pressure situations.
Looking back at that game Epondulan referenced, I can't help but think how different the first half might have been if his players had incorporated more of these game-simulation drills into their practice routine. Defense absolutely wins championships, but reliable shooting makes the journey considerably smoother. The beautiful thing about basketball is that shooting is a skill that can be systematically improved through the right kind of practice. These ten drills have transformed dozens of players I've worked with, and I've seen firsthand how dedicating just 30 minutes daily to focused shooting work can elevate a player's entire game. Remember, even the greatest shooters have off nights, but the work you put in during practice ensures those off nights become increasingly rare.
