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Practice your shot

Practice your shot
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Practice shooting basketballs using simple target drills, marking spots, counting makes from different distances, and tracking improvement over several short sessions.

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Step-by-step guide to practice your shot

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5 Youth Shooting Drills For Beginners [Teaching Kids to Shoot]

What you need
Adult supervision required, basketball, cone or small marker, hoop or laundry basket, measuring tape or ruler, paper, pencil, stopwatch or timer, tape or chalk

Step 1

Gather all your materials and bring them to the court or driveway so everything is ready to use

Step 2

Pick a safe flat spot to practice and place the hoop or laundry basket where you will shoot into it

Step 3

Use tape or chalk to mark five shooting spots in a semicircle at increasing distances from the hoop

Step 4

Use the measuring tape or count your steps to make sure the spots get steadily farther apart

Step 5

Decide how many shots to take from each spot for one round for example 10 shots per spot

Step 6

Warm up by dribbling for two minutes and taking eight easy close-range shots to get your body ready

Step 7

Start at the nearest marked spot and take the chosen number of shots while counting how many go in

Step 8

Write the number of makes on your paper next to the name or number of that spot

Step 9

Move to the next spot and repeat taking shots and recording makes until you finish all five spots

Step 10

Add up all your makes and divide by the total shots then multiply by 100 to find your shooting percentage

Step 11

Rest and stretch for five minutes between rounds to stay fresh

Step 12

Repeat the whole round two more times today or do one round each day for several days while recording each session

Step 13

Compare your percentages from each session and write one note about how you improved or what to work on next

Step 14

Share your practice results and a photo or video of your shooting drills on DIY.org

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can I use if I don't have a measuring tape or a basketball hoop?

Use your steps or a shoelace to space the five semicircle spots steadily and use a laundry basket or a taped-up cardboard box as a hoop substitute.

My tape or chalk marks and counting get messed up—how can I prevent errors during the drill?

Anchor tape with small rocks or use cones if chalk fades, re-measure distances by counting steps before you start each spot, and keep a clipboard and pencil to immediately record makes after the chosen number of shots.

How should I adapt this practice for younger or older kids?

For younger kids, shorten the distances and do about 5 shots per spot with a 1-minute dribble warm-up, while older kids can increase distances or do 15–20 shots per spot and follow the full warm-up and three rounds.

How can we make the session more challenging or personalize progress tracking?

Add shot variations like bank shots or off-the-dribble attempts, set a target percentage improvement, write that single improvement note after each session, and share a photo or video on DIY.org for feedback.

Watch videos on how to practice your shot

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How To Shoot A Basketball For Kids

4 Videos

Facts about basketball practice for kids

🏀 A basketball hoop is exactly 10 feet (3.05 m) off the ground — so every jumper has the same target!

🎯 In the NBA the three-point arc is 23.75 feet except at the corners, where the shot is just 22 feet away — making corner threes easier distance-wise.

📊 NBA teams average field goal percentages in the mid-40s (around 46%), so working on accuracy really pays off.

🧠 Repetition builds muscle memory: many serious shooters take 200–500 shots in a single practice session to groove their shot.

🌟 Stephen Curry set the single-season NBA record for three-pointers made with 402 in 2015–16 — showing how practice can change the game.

How do I help my child practice shooting basketballs at home?

Start with a 5-minute warm-up (jog, arm swings) and some close-range form shooting to reinforce technique. Mark 3–5 spots with tape or cones at increasing distances. At each spot have the child take a set number of shots (for example 5) and count makes. Rotate through spots for a 10–15 minute session, record makes on a chart, then repeat over several short sessions and gradually increase distance or reps as accuracy improves.

What materials do I need to practice basketball shooting drills?

You’ll need a child-size basketball, an adjustable hoop or accessible rim, and tape or small cones to mark shooting spots. Bring a timer or phone for short sessions, a clipboard or chart to track makes, a measuring tape if you want precise distances, and comfortable shoes. Optional: a rebounder or partner to collect balls and a softer ball for very young children to reduce knocks and make practice easier.

What ages is shooting practice suitable for and how do I adapt it?

Shooting drills suit kids roughly ages 4 and up with supervision. Preschoolers (4–6) use closer spots, larger softer balls, and keep sessions very short. Elementary kids (7–10) can learn spot shooting, counting makes, and basic form. Tweens (11+) handle structured reps, tracking charts, and longer sessions. Always lower the hoop and use appropriately sized balls to match a child’s height and strength.

What are the benefits and safety tips for practicing basketball shooting?

Regular target shooting builds hand–eye coordination, confidence, concentration, and basic math skills from counting and tracking progress. Keep sessions short to avoid fatigue, ensure a clear, non-slip playing area, and supervise to prevent rough play. Teach proper shooting form to reduce strain, encourage breaks and hydration, and use size-appropriate equipment. For variety, change spot order, add gentle time limits, or incorporate layup and bank-shot drills.
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Practice your shot. Activities for Kids.