Hot Shot (spot shooting)

Fun game

Score as many baskets as possible from marked spots in a time limit.

8 min any Half court
ShootingU10U12U14U16

Game guide

Any group size · 1 ball per hoop

Get everyone ready

Five spots · one shooter · one ball1 starts at an elbow. 2 and 3 wait off the shooting route; only one player takes the timed turn. 123

● Player / attackGold: ball

Illustrated steps · 5 seconds per step at 1×

Set up

Mark 5 shooting spots with cones/tape (layup, two short corners, two elbows). Assign point values.

A coached example. In live play, players make their own decisions; the outcome can change.

Look for: Balanced shot even when rushing.

Playback options
Illustrated steps · 5 seconds per step at 1×
Coach’s notes & group organisation

Mark 5 shooting spots with cones/tape (layup, two short corners, two elbows). Assign point values.

  1. Player has 60 seconds to score from the spots.
  2. Each made shot = its point value; must rebound your own ball.
  3. Move around the spots — can't camp on one.
  4. Track scores; winner (or personal best) gets the shout-out.

Suggested reset

The shooter retrieves the same ball after every attempt. Follow the stated scoring and turn rules; at the end of the turn pass to the next player and wait clear of the basket. Coach or the next player keeps score. Reset scores only for a new game.

Coaching cues

  • Balanced shot even when rushing.
  • Rebound quickly and reset your feet.
  • Pick makeable spots when the clock is low.

Adapt the challenge

Easier: All spots close to the hoop, 90 seconds.

Harder: Add a half-court 'bonus' shot worth big points.

Pairs Hot Shot: Two players share the clock and alternate shots — one rebounds while the other shoots.

What this drill teaches

Game-speed shooting off movement — sprint to a spot, set the feet, shoot in rhythm. The clock adds urgency while the points-per-spot system quietly teaches shot selection too.

In games: Game shots come off cuts and scrambles, not standing still — this builds the balanced, hurried-but-not-rushed shot kids actually need on game day.

What good looks like
  • Feet reset and balanced before every shot, even in a hurry
  • Own rebound chased hard, but the shot never flung on the run
  • Smarter spot choices as the clock runs down

U10: close spots, longer clock, celebrate personal bests. U14–U16: the full spot range with a bonus shot — expect balanced shots at real game speed.

Equipment

1 ball per hoop

Setup

Mark 5 shooting spots with cones/tape (layup, two short corners, two elbows). Assign point values.

Steps

  1. 1Player has 60 seconds to score from the spots.
  2. 2Each made shot = its point value; must rebound your own ball.
  3. 3Move around the spots — can't camp on one.
  4. 4Track scores; winner (or personal best) gets the shout-out.

Coaching points

  • Balanced shot even when rushing.
  • Rebound quickly and reset your feet.
  • Pick makeable spots when the clock is low.

Why kids love it

A ticking clock turns shooting practice into an arcade game. Kids love chasing a high score and a leaderboard.

Variations

Easier

All spots close to the hoop, 90 seconds.

Harder

Add a half-court 'bonus' shot worth big points.

Pairs Hot Shot

Two players share the clock and alternate shots — one rebounds while the other shoots.

Related drills

Coaching notes that use this drill