Star Shooting
Ages 9 and up · A hoop, one ball, and five spots marked in an arc (chalk or cones), at a distance where form holds
Star shooting is the classic five-spot shooting drill: both corners, both wings, and the top, shot in a star pattern so a player learns to make shots from everywhere, not just their favorite spot. It is the natural graduation from form shooting: the mechanics built close now get repped at real spots, at rhythm, with a score attached.
The drill's quiet lesson is honest self-knowledge: a written score per spot shows a kid exactly where their shot lives and where it doesn't, which turns practice from vibes into a plan. Race the star against last week's star, never against anyone else's.
How to run it
- Mark five spots in an arc: right corner, right wing, top, left wing, left corner, all at the same honest distance (short of the three-point line for most kids; where form survives is the right distance).
- Shoot 5 shots from each spot in order, moving around the star. A parent rebounding and passing doubles the rep rate; self-rebounding works fine too.
- Every shot is caught with feet ready (hop or step into it), shot in rhythm, one count from catch to release, with the full form-shooting mechanics.
- Record makes per spot (a phone note works): five numbers, one per spot.
- Second trip around the star, trying to beat the first trip's total.
What to say
Common faults and fixes
Distance creep: sliding back to impress, with form falling apart.
The distance rule is mechanical, not ambitious: the star lives where the form holds. Move the whole star back a step only when a full trip scores well at the current one.
Lazy feet between spots (walking casually, catching flat-footed).
Make the movement part of the drill: jog between spots, arrive with a hop into ready feet. Game shots come off movement; the star should too.
Only remembering the total, not the spots.
Keep the five per-spot numbers. The weak spot getting two extra sets next session is the entire point of measuring; a total hides it.
Make it easier, make it harder
Move the star closer; shoot 3 per spot; allow a dribble into the shot if the catch-and-shoot rhythm is not there yet.
Add a countdown clock (the full star in 3 minutes); shoot off a self-toss with a 180 turn to simulate catches; add one pull-up dribble per spot; or require 2 makes per spot before moving (pressure on the last one).
This page teaches the drill. ParentEdge builds it into a plan for your kid.
Built around their game, their goals, and what they’re working on.