Shooting is the most critical skill in basketball, and mastering it requires precision, repetition, and a structured program. Start every session with form shooting drills. Stand 5 feet from the basket and take 25 one-hand shots, focusing on your mechanics—proper hand placement, elbow alignment, and follow-through. Perform 3 sets of 25 shots, gradually increasing the distance by 2 feet after each set.
Move on to spot shooting drills. Select five positions around the perimeter: two corners, two wings, and the top of the key. Take 20 shots from each spot, aiming to maintain at least a 60% success rate. This adds up to 100 shots per session. Track your makes and misses in a shooting log to monitor improvement. For an added challenge, use the "5-in-a-row rule": you must make 5 consecutive shots from one spot before moving to the next.
Incorporate catch-and-shoot drills into your routine. Have a partner or use a shooting machine to pass you the ball. Focus on catching the ball in a shooting-ready position and releasing it within 1 second. Perform 50 catch-and-shoot attempts, alternating between spots around the arc. To simulate game scenarios, add off-the-dribble shooting drills. Start at half-court, dribble toward a designated spot, and take a pull-up jump shot. Perform 20 repetitions, alternating between straight-line drives and side-step dribbles.
End the session with free throw practice. Shoot 50 free throws in sets of 10, taking 30 seconds of rest between sets. Maintain a goal of 80% accuracy, and challenge yourself with pressure-based drills, such as the "10-in-a-row" challenge: if you miss a shot, restart the set. Repeat this shooting program 4-5 times per week, progressively increasing your target accuracy by 5% every month.