Step 1 - Developing The Shooting Release

The 1-Hand Form Shooting Drill

 

Most of you have seen this 1-hand shooting form drill. Even though it is nothing new, don't dismiss the importance of this foundational drill. This reinforces good technique of the "release" portion of your shot.
For this progression, we focus on getting our feet about shoulder width apart or slightly narrower.
You should be in a strong, balanced position.
Make sure to check your feet and develop consistency on every shot. We prefer to slightly stagger our feet or slightly turn them. The anatomy is different for every one. You need to find what works for you.
Next, make an L with your shooting arm.
Focus on pushing the ball up and out. Your elbow should finish above your eyes.
Focus on pushing the ball through your fingers. Typically, you should either finish with your index finger pointing at the hoop or with your index/middle finger pointing at the hoop. Find what works best for you.
When you properly shoot "up and out" and "push through your fingers", you will get the proper backspin on the ball.
I even recommend shooting at a wall to focus on proper mechanics. Then once you develop consistency with your feet and your follow through, move to the basket.

Summary of Emphasis Points:

• Feet - Shoulder width apart.
• Feet - Slightly staggered and/or turned.
• Strong and stable position.
• L with arm - start from this position.
• Up and Out - push up and out through your fingers.

Shooting Workout - 10 wall shots and 50 shots at basket.

1. The 1-Hand Form Shooting Drill - 10 wall shots with good technique
   Do not progress until you have shot 9 out of the last 10 wall shots with sound shooting technique. It's okay if this takes you some time. The key is sound shooting technique.
   
2. The 1-Hand Form Shooting Drill - 50 shots at basket 10 shots from 5 spots around the basket. Distance is 3 to 5 feet from the basket.
   Make 8 out of 10 shots from each spot. If you do not use good technique on a shot, the shot does not count.
   

***VERY IMPORTANT***
You can use poor shooting technique and make shots close to the basket. As you move further from the basket, the poor shooting technique will be exposed. And you will miss more shots.
So it doesn't matter if you can make 10 out of 10 with poor technique. If you're worried about making shots, don't shoot at the basket. Technique is the most important thing here.
Once you develop good technique, then worry about making baskets.
Youth players should use proper ball size and lower goal heights for shooting drills.