Basketball Drills For Everybody

Layup Shooting Drills

2008-05-20T06:50:00.000-07:00

Practicing with proper form and enough consistency is the best way to make sure you make your layups during a real basketball game. Here are some layup drills you can add to your collection of basketball drills.

1. Right Handed Layup Drill

Start at the free-throw line and perform a basic layup shot off the backboard. Do this until you make 10 layups in a row. Start at the beginning of the count for every missed layup.

2. Left Handed Layup Drill

Exactly the same as the Right Handed Layup Drill, except with the left hand. It is an invaluable asset to be able to finish with both hands, so be proficient with both your left and right hand.

3. Reverse Layups

Start underneath the basket, and shoot layups alternately with your left and right hand. Do this until you make 20 baskets with each hand. This basketball drill helps you be familiar with how you can finish under the basket.

4. Round Robin

The standard of all team practices. Form a line at the free-throw line and lay the ball in off the board. Rebound, pass to the next person in line, and run towards the back of the line. Repeat.

Layup Shot Basics and Drills

2008-05-15T09:44:00.000-07:00

After the free throw shot, the layup shot should be the highest percentage shot in the game. However, just like free throws, there are a lot of missed layups due to a lack of concentration. When practiced and made consistently, the layup is a vital part of your basketball game. Before we get to the basketball drills for this skill, let’s take a closer look at it first.

The objective of the layup should be to get the ball in the basket as quickly and as efficiently as possible. There are several factors to consider when making this shot. You must be aware of two things: The driving lane to the basket, and the defensive abilities of the team you are playing.

Whatever the situation, if you do decide to go for the layup, there are several things to keep in mind for the highest percentage of success.

1. Concentrate on the target.
2. Keep your body between the defender and the ball.
3. Jump off the foot opposite to the shooting hand.
4. Use the backboard when possible for a higher percentage shot.

There are several types of layups as well:

1. Overhand Layup

Used when closely defended, the overhand layup is a difficult shot to block without fouling. Center your shooting hand behind the ball, extend your elbow, and release the ball with a flick of the wrist.

2. Underhand Layup
The most commonly-used layup, it should be used when driving to the basket at high speed or when you have gotten free from your defender. The shooting hand should be under and in front of the ball. At the peak of your jump, extend your elbow and release the ball with a flick of the wrist.

3. Reverse Layup

Use this shot when forced under the basket and come out the other side. This shot can be difficult to block because you are using the rim for protection. Your back should be to the basket, but your head titled backwards with your eye on the rim. Flick your wrist gently to release the ball and bank it on the backboard.

The layup shot is the most basic shot in all of basketball. It is a high-percentage shot that you should be able to make easily, so don’t take it for granted. Practice your layup everyday with the layup drills found on this website.

Focus on your form and footwork during your basketball drills with layups, and this will soon be second nature to you. Good luck!

Basketball Drills - Shooting Drills I

2008-05-15T09:38:00.000-07:00

Here are a few basic shooting drills you can do when practicing by yourself. The basketball drills will get progressively harder with every new set, so it’s best to build on solid fundamentals now.

1. 5 in a Row

Start 5 feet from the basket and attempt to make 5 shots in a row. As soon as you make 5 straight, move back another 5 feet and repeat the process. This particular drill trains you to make shots consistently from all over the court.

2. 100 Free Throws Drill

This basketball drill is the one that will let you win the most close games. Close games are usually decided by free throws, and you want a shooting drill that will give you utmost confidence in your free throw shooting touch. It’s pretty straightforward. Just make 100 free throws daily to end your practice session.

3. Off the Dribble Drill

This basketball drill develops your footwork when shooting off the dribble. Dribble twice with your right hand then pull-up for the jump shot. The goal is to make 50 jump shots, 10 from five pre-determined points on the court. After the 50 shots, do the same drill, but this time dribble twice with your left hand.

4. Off the Pass Shooting Drill

Flip the ball towards you and receive it off the bounce, then take a perimeter shot. This shooting drills helps you develop footwork, and also trains you to square up to the basket. Again, the goal is to make 50 shots from all over the court, with at least half of them beyond the free throw line.

Remember, basketball drills will only be effective if done consistently, and with the proper fundamentals. Never sacrifice form for function. If you have the form right, the function will follow. Hopefully these shooting drills will help improve your basketball game and ready you for the next set.

Perimeter Shooting Basics and Drills

2008-05-13T06:29:00.000-07:00

Perimeter shooting is probably the most practiced of all basketball drills. Everybody wants to score, and having a good shooting touch is the way to do it. Shooting is also the most important of all basketball skills. You can pass, dribble and rebound to get the shot you want, but you will still have to make the shot.

The basics of shooting can be broken down into several things:

Balance

feet are shoulder width apart
divide your weight evenly
shoulders are squared to the basket
head is kept over your feet

Elbow Positioning

keep the shooting elbow at 90 degrees
make sure your shooting elbow is in close to the body, pointing to the basket

Sight

focus on the basket before, during, and after the shot
keep your head still, instead, follow with your eyes

Shooting rhythm

aim for a smooth and fluid motion
shoot beginning from your feet, and feel it all the way up your fingertips as you extend for the follow-through
release the ball near the top of your jump
snap your fingers and follow-through, as if to GUIDE the ball

The Mental aspect

be confident
focus
FEEL your shot

These are the basics you have to keep in mind while doing the shooting drills I will be posting. It has been said that practice makes perfect, but practicing an imperfect shooting form can only ruin your shooting touch.

Basketball Drills For Everybody

2008-05-13T06:15:00.000-07:00

I love basketball. I started playing relatively late, compared to most people in love with the sport. I was already in 3rd year high school when I first picked up the basketball. I was an awkward teenager, a bit on the soft side, and the only other sport I'd ever played was table tennis.

When I first stepped on the basketball court, I was terrible. The game didn't like me back then, but I had fun working up a sweat, despite the awful showing I put up. I kept playing pick-up games, and eventually figured out how to use my size to my advantage. I was purely a power player, with no moves, and just brute strength. I started winning, and I loved the feeling. I couldn't get enough of it. I had to get better.

I started doing basic shooting drills. I shot five hundred free throws nightly for an entire summer. Dribbling drills were also part of my nightly routine. When I went back that school year, I was a different player. I was 20lbs leaner, and I was making shots and blowing by people with my crossover.

I realized how much the drills helped me when I was invited to play in a nightly pick-up game with semi-professional players. I was the smallest guy, but I was one of the leading scorers all the time. I was shooting at a level higher than everyone else. Life was good.

I attribute my success on the court to the basketball drills I practiced. Shooting drills, dribbling drills, even passing drills, I did them all. Besides the basketball skills, they also gave me a sense of self and discipline. And I want to share this with everyone. That is what this website is about. Welcome to Basketball Drills for Everybody!