Basketball Driveway Drills: Form Shooting Warmup

It’s hard to step onto the court and just start sinking shots. To get into the groove, it can be helpful to have a good warmup routine.

To get fired up before a game or practice, try the Form Shooting Warmup Drill. This exercise can help you work on your shooting form and consistency.

“I recommend this as one of the first drills you want to do as soon as you hit the driveway for a basketball workout,” DICK’S Sporting Goods Associate and former Division I assistant coach Derek Liebert says.

Before getting started, it can be helpful to mark the lines of a basketball court on your driveway. Check out this Pro Tips guide to make sure you have the correct measurements for the free-throw line and the three-point arc.

FORM SHOOTING WARMUP

Before you start the drill, you’ll need to mark five different spots on your makeshift court. These include both baselines, the elbow extended and the free-throw line. Each mark should be 12 to 15 feet from the basket. Use chalk, cones or anything handy in your garage to mark each spot.

You’ll start the drill standing 3 to 5 feet from the rim on the baseline. Hold the ball high and make three to five shots, swishing as many as you can. When attempting these shots, be aware of your form:

• Keep your elbow under the ball.
• Bend your knees.
• Keep the ball on your fingertips and not in your palm.
• Flick your wrist.
• Hold the follow-through.

Work your way around the court from each of the five spots in front of the rim. Continue the drill by stepping back 6 to 8 feet and moving your way around the basket. As you move back, you may need to add more of a jump or knee bend to get the ball to the hoop.

Finally, you’ll be ready to move back to the spots you marked at 12 to 15 feet and attempt midrange shots.

“Now that you are going to be further away from the rim, it’s important that you make sure you do not lose your form and consistency of your release and use your legs to make sure you’re getting the ball to the rim,” Liebert says.

As you move deeper, make sure you are making midrange shots. This drill is not for attempting three-pointers. Remember, shooting deeper comes from your legs, not your arms.

“The key to this drill is to focus on developing a consistency of your basketball shooting form and build that muscle memory as you expand the range of your shot,” Liebert adds.

As you progress through this warmup drill, keep track of your shot attempts. Your goal should be to reach a perfect 25 shots.

By adding a solid warmup before a practice or game, you can be ready to make plays when the ball is in your hands.

Now that you’re warmed up, it’s time to get to work. Try the Spin Out Shooting Drill to improve moving without the ball and game-speed shooting. Add the Two-in-a-Row Drill to your practice to develop your muscle memory when shooting the ball.