Master the High School 3-Pointers (5 from 5): The Shooter's Benchmark
The High School 3-pointers (5 from 5) is a foundational shooting drill designed to establish your baseline accuracy from beyond the arc. Ideal for guards and wings aiming to become reliable floor spacers, this drill isolates your mechanics at the five standard spots on the floor—corners, wings, and top of the key. By removing the variable of complex movement, you can focus entirely on your rhythm, release, and consistency to build a jumper that holds up under pressure.
How to Perform This Drill
- Setup: Start at the left corner 3-point line with a rebounder (or be prepared to chase your own rebounds).
- Execute: Take 5 shots from the current spot, focusing on consistent lift and follow-through on every repetition.
- Rotate: After your fifth shot, immediately move to the next spot on the perimeter (Left Wing > Top of Key > Right Wing > Right Corner).
- Analyze: Repeat the 5-shot sequence at all five spots for a total of 25 attempts.
- Score: Record your total makes out of 25 to establish your shooting percentage for the session.
Why This Drill Works
This drill works because it utilizes the principle of block practice to ingrain specific motor patterns before moving to the next challenge. By taking multiple shots from the same location, you can make micro-adjustments to your arc and power transfer, fixing mechanical errors in real-time. Furthermore, shooting from all five angles forces you to adjust your visual targeting and alignment relative to the backboard, ensuring you aren't just a "one-spot shooter" but a threat from anywhere on the perimeter.
Pro Tips
- Check your feet: Ensure your ten toes are pointing towards the rim or slightly tilted (depending on your natural alignment) before every catch; great shooting starts from the ground up.
- Hold your follow-through: Keep your shooting hand up until the ball hits the rim to ensure optimal rotation and verify that you aren't pulling the string on your release.
- Simulate game speed: Even if you are shooting alone, catch the ball ready to shoot—don't dip the ball unnecessarily or take long pauses between reps.
- Track your weak side: Pay attention to which spots yield the lowest percentage; often players shoot better from one side due to eye dominance or shoulder alignment, and this drill exposes exactly where you need more work.
