Shooting is an immensely valuable skill in basketball. By itself, it may make the biggest difference maker for a player excelling on a team, or struggling to find a role. (I am NOT discounting passing, ball handling, defense, or hustle!!!) I wanted to share a few shooting workouts that are my favorites for getting reps, shooting at game speed, and growing as a shooter! Give these a try to work on your game and add competitiveness to your workouts.

Celtics Shooting
Make two in a row from each of the five spots (baseline, wing, top, wing, baseline). Then work your way back around the arc repeating each spot (at 5th spot in corner, you make two in a row, twice). What makes this drill a great is that you are on the clock. 2 minutes to complete it. You need a rebounder for this drill.
Modifications:
Varsity level: Shoot from 3 pt line
Middle School level: Shoot from 16 feet
Juniors: Complete from 16 feet without timer

50 in 5
Make ten shots each at all five spots on the floor. Put 5 minutes on the clock to get it done. You need a rebounder for this drill.
Modifications:
Varsity level: Shoot from 3 pt line
Middle School level: Shoot from 16 feet
Juniors: Shoot from 12-16 feet

Transition Pullup J
You will shoot from 3 spots, wing, top, and wing. Starting at half court, dribble fullspeed towards first spot (wing) for a pullup jumper (~15 feet). To move to the next spot, you must make 3 in a row from the first spot. Move to top spot, attacking from half court to make 3 pullup jumpers in a row. Complete 3 in a row from final spot on opposite wing. Time yourself and see how quickly you can complete 3 in a row at all three spots.
Modifications:
Varsity level: Make third shot from 3 pt line
Middle School level: Complete in midrange (15-17 feet)
Juniors: Make three shots (not in a row)

​#getbetter

There are two crucial things that build a great shooter. One is form and two is repetition. One without the other is meaningless for improvement. Not every shooter needs to have the same exact form, but there are some pretty definitive pieces that make up a ‘good shot’.

Once you have your form correct, then you need to gain repetition in that form with a lot of practice. Countless shots. Fall in love with the detail of your shot and the quest to perfect it with each good rep you take. The key here is to rep good shots with good form, as your skill will only get better with good shots, and only get worse with poor form or casual shots.

Form shooting close to the goal will help players grow comfortable and consistent with their form (from 3ft all the way out to the FT line, depending on age/strength). Do this every workout! And as you move around and shoot game shots to build repetition, stay in a range where your form is still true. Young players often want to shoot 3’s before they are strong enough and they develop bad habits. Building your shot as a young player is a lot like saving for retirement…the sooner you start investing (in good form with high reps), the much better chance you have of becoming a millionaire by 65!

A quick metaphor about how we show up in our business, team, and family, and how it’s more than just producing.

There is an empty bathtub that needs water. You have to fill this bathtub and you have two buckets.
Bucket 1 is all the things that make you a good citizen and teammate. This bucket is full of things like helping others, putting the team first over what you want, being positive, caring for those around you. Essentially being the prototypical team player.
Bucket 2 is being productive. Getting things done and performing at a high level for your job. Whatever you have technically been asked to do or whatever is expected of you is getting done.
Many times, especially when we are busy or impatient, we want to fill the bathtub with the second bucket alone. We want to pour ourselves into our work in our own silo and produce. We feel the satisfaction of producing and it fuels us to show up and be more productive.
But, we cannot fill the bathtub with just the second bucket. We must use the first bucket and we must show up as a good teammate to others. We must look to help others, listen to others, and care about others’ needs.

Remember, you can’t just have the second bucket to be your best and make an impact.

*Taken from a talk by Chip Bowers at App State College of Business