If you're a player who wants to shoot better in games—not just in warmups or during practice when you're wide open—then you need to start paying more attention to your footwork.

Most shooting technique drills focus on the upper body - hand placement, set point, & follow through. Those are all critical factors to shooting success.

However, if your footwork is sloppy, it makes your upper body technique almost irrelevant.

Think of it like this - your footwork is the foundation of your shot. . . is your foundation built on sand or on rock?

Elite shooters don’t just “get lucky” with perfect timing and balance. They’ve trained their footwork so they’re always ready—off the catch, off movement, or when coming off a screen.

While some coaches teach their players just 1 method of shooting footwork, the best shooters can adapt their feet to any situation.

To become an elite shooter, you need to be able to use the following footworks:

• 1-2 step

• Hop

• Inside foot catch

• Reverse and front pivot into a shot

In this article, you’ll learn five footwork-based shooting drills that will help you develop a faster release, better balance & rhythm, and more consistency in real game situations.

Why Footwork Makes or Breaks Your Shot

Let me ask you this...

Have you ever rushed a shot because you weren’t ready?

Maybe your feet weren’t set...
Maybe your timing was off...
Maybe you caught the ball and then started adjusting your feet—only to have a defender fly at you.

That’s what happens when you don’t prepare early.

The best shooters are great at getting their feet set before the ball arrives. They know how to use a 1-2 step, a hop, and a pivot depending on the situation.

The key is being versatile and training footwork that matches real game movement.

5 Drills To Build A Great Foundation From The Ground Up

Drill #1 – 1-2 & Hop Shooting Footwork

This is one of the first drills Coach Huber uses to help players develop a faster release and better shot timing.

You’ll work on three types of footwork:

• Left-right 1-2 step

• Right-left 1-2 step

• Hop

How it works:

• Toss the ball out to yourself—either with a bounce pass or air pass.

• As the ball comes, prepare early: “Ball in the air, feet in the air.”

• Step into your shot or hop—stab your feet, keep your hips low, and rise into a balanced jumper.

This drill works with or without a partner and is easy to progress by stepping further back as you make shots.

Teaching points:

• Keep your jump under 2 inches on the hop.

• Focus on balance, rhythm, and staying compact on the catch.

Drill #2 – Chair Short Curl Shots

This is a great warm-up drill, but you can also progress it as your shooting improves by moving the chairs further from the hoop.

You’ll simulate curling off a screen and stepping right into your shot, using an inside foot pivot. You can do it from either wing using a chair to represent the screener.

How it works:

• Start under the basket.

• Curl tightly around the chair.

• Plant the inside foot and step into your shot.

• Repeat for 10 makes or timed reps.

Variation: Add a one-dribble pull-up after the curl for more game-like reps.

Drill #3 – Spin Out Shooting (3 Variations)

This drill teaches you how to shoot on the move, square up off the catch, and lock in on footwork and balance.

Standard Version:

• Spin the ball out to yourself.

• Sprint to the ball, catch it on the move, square up, and shoot.

Shuffle Version:

• After spinning the ball out, shuffle laterally into your shot (like when you relocate after feeding the post).

• Keep your shoulders square and use minimal wasted motion.

Inside-Outside Version:

• Start facing away from the hoop and toss the ball out. Use an inside-outside 1-2 step to square up at game speed.

• Focus on rhythm, stick the landing, and frame your shot.

This drill builds endurance and forces you to maintain great technique even when tired.

Drill #4 – Pivot Shooting Series

If you want to become a more reliable shooter, especially in the mid-post or after a catch, you need to be able to shoot off of various pivots - reverse & forward pivots on both feet.

While some coaches teach the idea of a permanent pivot foot, that limits your options.

In this series, you’ll work on:

• Front pivots

• Inside pivots

• Swing-throughs to shot

How it works:

• Start under the rim and pass the ball out to a coach or ball placer.

• Sprint to the ball and use a pivot to square up before shooting.

• Repeat for 10 reps each side. Then repeat using a different pivot. If you don’t have a rebounder you can toss the ball out to yourself at the block and then execute the pivot & shot.

The focus is on balance, foot placement, and staying low. It’s great for teaching players how to face up and get into their shot under control.

Drill #5 – Flash Away Chair Jumpers

This drill simulates flashing to the ball, squaring up, and shooting—all at game speed.

How it works:

• Start on the wing, run to the corner cone, and then flash to a chair with a ball on it.

• Grab the ball, square up, and shoot—all in one smooth motion. Use an inside foot pivot.

• Repeat 6-8 reps, then switch sides.

Emphasize: quick hips, compact footwork, and clean follow-through. Fight the tendency to drift when shooting on the move.

You can also do the drill moving towards the corner to simulate a flare screen.

It’s Not Just Form, It’s Footwork

If you’re serious about becoming a better shooter, it’s time to stop ignoring your feet.

These drills will:

• Build better balance

• Sharpen your rhythm

• Teach you how to shoot off movement

• Prepare you for the real shots you’ll get in games

Remember: Ball in the air, feet in the air.Prepare early, and you’ll shoot with confidence every time.

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