One-Hand Form Shooting

Skill drill

Groove a straight, one-hand shooting motion close to the rim.

6 min any Half court

ShootingU8U10U12U14U16

Technique guide

Any group size · 1 ball per hoop

Speed

Get everyone ready

● Player / attackGold: ball

Illustrated steps · 5 seconds per step at 1×

Set up

Player stands a step in front of the rim, ball in the shooting hand only.

Look for: Elbow under the ball in an 'L'.

Playback options

Pause between chaptersIllustrated steps · 5 seconds per step at 1×

Coach’s notes & group organisation

Player stands a step in front of the rim, ball in the shooting hand only.

Balance the ball on the shooting hand, guide hand off.
Shoot straight up with a high, held follow-through.
Aim for a soft swish or high off the glass.
Make 10, then take one step back.

Suggested reset

At a two-player basket station, the shooter retrieves their attempt and returns the same ball to the next shooter, then waits clear of the finishing lane. For a prescribed shooting set, finish the set before swapping. With more players, split across baskets or rotate short sets; keep spare balls off the active shooting line.

Coaching cues

Elbow under the ball in an 'L'.
Hold the follow-through — 'gooseneck'.
Straight up and down, no drift.

Adapt the challenge

Harder: Add the guide hand and back up to the block.

Easier: Sit on a chair and shoot one-handed straight up to a partner, no rim.

Swish Streak: Count only swishes — three in a row before you step back.

What this drill teaches

A straight, repeatable shooting motion learned where kids are strong enough to hold it. Removing the guide hand and staying close strips the shot to its engine — one hand, one line, held follow-through — so bad habits never get invited in.

In games: Prevents the two-hand heave-from-the-hip that creeps in when kids shoot beyond their strength — the shot they build here is the one that survives once games and defenders arrive.

What good looks like

Follow-through held until the ball hits the floor
Elbow under the ball, not winged out sideways
Ball flying straight — misses short or long, never left-right

U8–U10: one step from the rim, celebrate swishes, don't chase range. U14–U16: still valuable as a daily reset — expect perfect reps before stepping back.