I remember watching that game last Saturday where Dungo's team fell to University of Santo Tomas 93-82, and his post-game comments really stuck with me. He mentioned how they were missing two key players and how someone needed to step up - that's exactly what separates good shooters from great ones. When your team's struggling, your shooting ability becomes the difference-maker, and I've found that most players overlook the fundamental drills that actually build championship-level shooting. Let me share what I've learned from twenty years of coaching and playing - these aren't just drills, they're game-changers that transformed my own shooting percentage from 38% to 47% in a single season.
The first drill I always start with is what I call "Form Shooting from Five Spots." Now, I know this sounds basic, but hear me out - 85% of players I've coached do this wrong. You need to stand within five feet of the basket at five key positions: both baselines, both wings, and directly in front. The magic happens when you focus on nothing but your form - elbow in, follow through, high release. I typically have players take 25 shots from each spot, but here's the twist: they can't move to the next spot until they make 15 in a row. This builds the muscle memory that becomes crucial when you're tired in the fourth quarter and your team needs that clutch basket. I've found that spending just 10 minutes on this before every practice creates consistency that translates directly to game situations.
Next up is my personal favorite - "Spin Outs" or what some coaches call "Catch and Shoot Under Pressure." You start with your back to the basket at the three-point line, toss the ball out in front of you, sprint to catch it, square up, and shoot in one fluid motion. The key here is simulating game speed. I tell my players to imagine there's a defender closing out on them - that mental picture makes all the difference. When Dungo talked about needing players to step up, this is exactly the kind of drill that prepares you for those moments. I typically have players take 50 of these daily, alternating spots around the perimeter. The data might surprise you - after six weeks of consistent spin out drills, players in my program improved their catch-and-shoot percentage by an average of 12%.
Now let's talk about something most players hate but absolutely need - "The Fatigue Shooter." This one's brutal but effective. You sprint from baseline to half-court and back, then immediately catch and shoot a three-pointer. Repeat this eight times from different spots. The purpose is to simulate those late-game situations when your legs are tired but you still need to knock down shots. I've tracked this with my teams - players who consistently do fatigue shooters maintain their shooting percentage in the fourth quarter, while those who skip it typically see a 15-20% drop. It's not glamorous, but neither is missing crucial shots when your team needs you most.
The fourth drill is what I call "Game Situation Shooting." You need a partner for this one. Your partner passes you the ball while calling out a score and time remaining - "down by 2, 30 seconds left!" - and you have to make the appropriate basketball decision. Sometimes it's a three, sometimes a drive, sometimes a pass. This develops what I call "basketball IQ" alongside shooting skills. Remember how Dungo mentioned being prepared despite missing key players? This drill creates that mental readiness. I've found that players who regularly practice game situations make better decisions in actual games - we're talking about 3-4 fewer turnovers per game, which is huge in close contests.
Finally, there's "The Shooting Ladder," which combines everything. You start close to the basket and take one shot, then take a step back for your next shot, continuing until you reach your maximum range. Then you work your way back in. The progression builds confidence while reinforcing proper form at increasing distances. I typically have players complete three full ladders each practice. What's fascinating is watching players discover they can actually shoot from further out than they thought - I've seen players add 2-3 feet to their effective range in just two months of consistent ladder work.
Looking at Dungo's situation, what stood out to me was his readiness mindset despite missing key personnel. That's exactly what these drills build - not just shooting skill, but the confidence to step up when called upon. I've seen these transformations firsthand in my own career and with countless players I've coached. The beautiful thing about basketball is that while you can't control who's available on game day, you can control your preparation. These five drills have become non-negotiable in my training philosophy because they address both the physical and mental aspects of shooting. They've bailed my teams out of tough situations more times than I can count, and I'm confident they'll do the same for any player willing to put in the work. After all, games aren't won on the court - they're won in the countless hours of focused practice that prepare you for those moments when your team needs someone to rise to the occasion.