Basketball Drills: Competitive Shooting Drills with Coach Mason

Competitive shooting drills are great for any player's development and also a great way to get kids excited about their training. These drills, games and competitions are a great way to hold players accountable and focused on their goals. Let's check out a few of my favorite competitive drills that I love doing with my players!

27 Game Drill

This individual shooting drill is great for players of all ages and very simple in nature. Goals can be adjusted based on age but players that can make at least 21 are on track for success. Develop consistency and rhythm with a combination of common shots players will shoot each game.

• The goal for players is to make 21/27 shots.
• Players will shoot from 3 different spots: wing, top of the key, and opposite side wing.
• Players will have 3 rounds of 3 shots at each spot.
• Throughout this drill players will catch and shoot off the pass for the first shot, one dribble right pull up on the second shot, and one dribble left pull up on the third shot. This will be repeated at each spot.

11 Game Drill

This shooting drill is one I learned from 4x WNBA Champion Lindsay Whalen. 11 game requires players to make shots while tired and under pressure. There is no better way in my opinion to challenge players to get better while building mental strength. Feel free to adjust the plus/minus amount based on your player’s level and continue to challenge them as they improve.

• This is a plus, minus shooting drill where on makes players will get plus 1 added to their score and minus 1 on misses.
• Players' scores will be live once they make their first shot.
• The goal is to get a score of plus 11.
• Players will move from baseline to elbow until they get a score of plus 11.
• Next, players will shoot on the move from elbow to elbow until they get a score of plus 11.
• Finally, players will shoot on the move from the opposite baseline to elbow.

1-on-1 Competition

Head to head competitions are what separate the players that want to work hard from those that don’t. This drill puts limitations on both the offense and defense while also giving them advantages as well. Allow players to compete and organically figure out how to handle adversity in this drill.

• There will be two cones set up at the top of the 3-point line.
• There will be a player on defense and one on offense.
• The defender must stay stationary behind the two cones until the offender moves.
• If the defender moves before the offender crosses the 3-point line, offense gets a point.
• The player on offense can only shoot layups.
• This drill challenges the offender to finish against heavy pressure defense/contact.
• A variation of this drill would be to have the offenders only shoot jump shots.