Boost Skills with Small Sided Shooting Games Basketball

Written by: Chris Hungerford

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Time to read 5 min

Small sided shooting games basketball. As a coach or parent of a young basketball player, you're always looking for engaging drills that accelerate skill development. While traditional 5-on-5 gameplay is essential, smaller-sided games offer numerous advantages, especially for shooting. These cone touch games provide more repetitions, quicker decision-making opportunities, and enhanced player involvement.


Small-sided shooting games basketball can make a real difference for young players.in 

Table Of Contents:

Benefits of Small-Sided Shooting Games


Increased Shooting Repetitions


One of the primary benefits is the sheer volume of shots players can take. In a typical 5-on-5 game, a player might get a handful of shot attempts. However, small-sided games condense the action, allowing players to hone their shooting mechanics and build confidence through repetition.


Imagine a 2-on-2 game – players are forced to be more assertive on offense, leading to significantly more shots per player. This creates more scoring opportunities than a full-court game.

Faster Decision Making


With fewer players on the court, decisions need to be made faster. This rapid-fire environment fosters quicker reaction times, improved court vision, and a greater understanding of spacing.


This helps young players develop their basketball IQ, teaching them when to shoot, pass, or attack the basket. This is how you create offensive skills for players at all age levels.

Greater Player Involvement


Small-sided games foster teamwork by creating opportunities for players to work together in a faster-paced environment. But even more importantly, small-sided games ensure everyone is actively involved on both ends of the court – there's no hiding.


Incorporating these games also aligns with USA Basketball's Youth Development Guidelines, further reinforcing their effectiveness. Small sided games provide more opportunities for players to touch the ball than a 5 on 5 game. Small-sided

Focused Skill Development


These games allow coaches to target specific shooting skills through specialized drills. Want to improve pull-up jumpers? Design a 2-on-2 drill where players must take a shot off the dribble.


This focused approach helps players improve specific techniques in a game-like setting. These drills start to feel like game situations that players can relate to.

Examples of Effective Small-Sided Shooting Games


1v1 Blind


This game is excellent for practicing those mid-range jump shots that are becoming increasingly valuable in modern basketball, especially against teams that prioritize defending the 3-point line. Imagine your player going up against a team that loves to double-team on defense.


Knowing how to knock down a mid-range jumper becomes clutch. It involves a passer, a shooter at the top of the key, and a defender at the nail. The outlet player will pass to the shooter and the drill starts.


  • The shooter can choose to move left or right for a jump shot.
  • The defender can only react after spotting the shooter's movement in their peripheral vision.

Circle Chase 1v1


Perfect for developing footwork, agility, and, of course, shooting under pressure, this game has players running in a circle around a cone. This is a great drill to help players learn how to create scoring opportunities for themselves.


  • The shooter, positioned inside the circle, receives a pass and attempts a pull-up jumper.
  • Meanwhile, the defender, starting outside the circle, must chase and contest the shot.

2v2 One More Shooting


Emphasizing the importance of passing, this game forces players to think beyond the first option on offense. The ball screen is a big part of basketball and this drill helps teach players how to be successful when their teammate sets a ball screen.


  • The first offensive player passes to a teammate on the perimeter.
  • If that teammate is covered, they need to make 'one more' pass for a better shot opportunity. This game replicates realistic offensive scenarios and encourages unselfish play.

1v1 Nail Handoff


This drill simulates a common play where a player receives a handoff near the free-throw line and takes a jump shot. This will help your team play better by teaching players what to do in advantage situations.


  • A coach (or designated passer) stands at the nail, and the offensive player starts on either elbow.
  • When the coach gives the ball, the offensive player runs behind, takes the handoff, and shoots a pull-up jumper, while the defender tries to contest. It helps develop footwork, timing, and shooting off the move.

Grenade Action Shooting 1v1


This action has grown popular thanks to teams like the Golden State Warriors using it for shooters like Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. This one replicates the popular 'grenade' action seen in professional basketball.


  • The coach dribbles up from the post towards the free throw line while an offensive player starts on the wing, with the defender guarding them.
  • The coach then executes a handoff to the offensive player, simulating a screen. The shooter works on coming off the screen tightly and rising for the shot, while the defender practices navigating over or under the screen effectively.

FAQs about Small Sided Shooting Games Basketball


What are Short-Sided Games? 


Short-sided games are simply basketball games modified to be played on a smaller court with fewer players. Typically, instead of the traditional 5-on-5, these games involve 3-on-3, 4-on-4, or even 2-on-2 matchups.

What is Small-Sided Games in Team Sports Training?


It's a specialized training methodology where coaches modify traditional sports like basketball by reducing the number of players on the court, thus creating a dynamic environment to target and enhance specific skills in a more focused and faster-paced setting. It is a great drill for players of all ages and skill levels.

How to Play 2 Bounce Basketball?


Two-bounce basketball, while not a traditional small-sided game, is a fun variation that emphasizes passing over dribbling.


  • Instead of being allowed to dribble multiple times, players can only take two bounces before being required to pass or shoot.
  • It's a fantastic way to teach players about court awareness, passing angles, and teamwork as it encourages them to move the ball quickly. This encourages quick decision-making, improves passing skills, and forces creativity to find open teammates. Plus, it can be adapted to any of the small-sided games mentioned earlier. This game helps emphasize transition offense and forces the defense to scramble.

Conclusion

Side shooting

By incorporating small-sided shooting games basketball into your practices, you create a fun, engaging, and effective way to rapidly develop well-rounded players with a knack for sinking those game-winning shots. This game played at a high level will translate to success in game situations.


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