Foundation (Beginner)

Focus: Establishing proper form and mechanics.

1. Shooting Stance and Balance:

   • Focus on the correct stance: feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, weight balanced.

   • Drills: Stationary form shooting (close to the basket, no jump), emphasizing balance and follow-through.

2. Hand Position and Grip:

   • Ensure the guide hand is only guiding the ball and not affecting the shot.

   • Drills: One-hand form shooting (focus on using the shooting hand only to build muscle memory).

3. Follow-Through:

   • Emphasize the "gooseneck" wrist motion and holding the follow-through after each shot.

   • Drills: Free throws and short-range shots focusing on follow-through.

4. Target Focus:

   • Teach players to focus on their target (e.g., the back of the rim) and not just the ball.

   • Drills: Close-range shooting, aiming at a small target on the hoop (use tape to mark a spot).

Development (Intermediate)

Focus: Repetition and muscle memory with movement.

1. Catch-and-Shoot Mechanics:

   • Work on catching the ball in shooting position, minimizing movement before the shot.

   • Drills: Catch-and-shoot from different spots around the key, focusing on quick release.

2. Footwork (Pivoting and Jump Stops):

   • Introduce basic footwork like jump stops and pivoting into a shot.

   • Drills: Shooting off the dribble with a jump stop, catch and shoot after a pivot.

3. Spot Shooting:

   • Practice shooting from specific spots on the court (corners, wings, top of the key).

   • Drills: Spot shooting around the arc, 5 shots per spot, then rotate.

4. Shooting Off the Dribble:

   • Begin working on dribbling into the shot, focusing on balance and form.

   • Drills: Two-dribble pull-up jumpers from both directions (right and left).

5. Layups and Short-Range Shots:

   • Emphasize scoring close to the basket, perfecting layup techniques.

   • Drills: Layup lines, Mikan drill, short-range shots from different angles.

Competency (Advanced Intermediate)

Focus: Shooting under pressure, consistency, and more advanced techniques.

1. Shooting Off Screens:

   • Learn to shoot coming off a screen, focusing on footwork and balance.

   • Drills: Partner sets a screen, player catches and shoots quickly.

2. Game Situation Shooting:

   • Incorporate situational shooting: last-second shots, end-of-quarter scenarios.

   • Drills: Simulate game situations, such as shooting with a defender closing out.

3. Range Extension:

   • Gradually increase shooting range to the 3-point line, maintaining proper mechanics.

   • Drills: Deep range shooting (begin close and gradually move back).

4. Transition Shooting:

   • Practice shooting in transition, simulating fast breaks.

   • Drills: Run the floor, catch a pass on the move, and shoot quickly.

5. Shooting Under Fatigue:

   • Introduce conditioning to shooting drills to simulate game fatigue.

   • Drills: Full-court sprints followed by spot shooting, repeated multiple times.

Proficiency (Advanced)

Focus: Mastery and consistency in all aspects of shooting, incorporating high-level challenges.

1. Off-the-Dribble Moves:

   • Advanced moves like step-backs, sidesteps, and crossover pull-ups.

   • Drills: Combination dribbles into a step-back jumper or sidestep 3-pointer.

2. Contested Shots:

   • Work on shooting over defenders, using fakes, and adjusting shots in mid-air.

   • Drills: Partner contested shooting (one player closes out and contests the shot).

3. Quick Release:

   • Focus on minimizing time from catch to shot, emphasizing speed and precision.

   • Drills: Rapid-fire shooting with a partner passing, aiming for quick releases.

4. Shooting with Contact:

   • Simulate shooting with physical contact, such as absorbing a bump on a drive.

   • Drills: Drive into a pad or defender, absorb contact, and finish the shot.

5. Advanced Game Situations:

   • High-pressure game scenarios, such as buzzer-beaters and catch-and-shoot with a defender closing out.

   • Drills: End-of-game situation drills, simulating time pressure and defensive pressure.

Elite (Mastery)

Focus: Becoming an elite shooter capable of excelling in any game situation.

1. Perfecting Every Shot Type:

   • Mastery of all shot types: mid-range, 3-pointers, free throws, and floaters.

   • Drills: Combine all previously learned skills into continuous flow drills, emphasizing versatility.

2. Shooting from Unconventional Angles:

   • Work on shooting from difficult angles, off-balance shots, and fadeaways.

   • Drills: Spin moves into fadeaway jumpers, bank shots from tough angles.

3. Pressure and Mental Toughness:

   • Focus on the mental aspect of shooting, staying calm under pressure, and building consistency.

   • Drills: Simulate high-pressure free throws and must-make shots under duress.

4. Precision Shooting:

   • Increase the emphasis on accuracy and precision, aiming for perfect swishes and high shooting percentages.

   • Drills: Shooting competitions against teammates or personal records, focusing on precision and minimal error.

5. Combining Shooting with Overall Game Play:

   • Integrate shooting into full-game scenarios, ensuring that shooting skills translate seamlessly into live play.

   • Drills: Full scrimmages with a focus on finding and taking the right shots within the flow of the game.