Top Shooting Drills for 10-Year-Olds | Youth Basketball Training Guide

Best Shooting Drills for 10 Year Old Basketball Players

The best shooting drills for 10 year old basketball players help young athletes build strong fundamentals before learning advanced techniques. At age ten, kids are learning coordination, balance, motor skills, discipline, and timing. Early shooting habits often stay with a player for life, so this training stage is incredibly important.

Instead of pushing distance and strength, young players need proper form, controlled movement, and consistent practice. At Hoops Klub, coaches focus on mechanics, fun, repetition, and encouragement. Practicing on a safe, premium surface such as a Maple court technique floor also supports safer stepping, jumping, and landing.

Why Shooting Fundamentals Matter at Age 10

Proper balance

Correct alignment

Smooth follow through

Controlled wrist action

Consistent release point

Focusing on form first creates long-term confidence, accuracy, and better shooting habits.

Foundations Before Starting Shooting Drills

Stance and Balance: Feet shoulder-width apart, light knee bend.

Ball Grip: Fingers spread wide, ball on fingers not palms.

Guide Hand: Supports the ball but does not push.

Eyes on Target: Look at rim or target before shooting.

Set Point & Elbow: Ball at forehead level, elbow under ball.

Follow Through: Wrist snap, fingers pointing down.

Best Shooting Drills for 10 Year Old Players

1. Close Range Form Shooting

Start 1–2 feet from basket, focus on mechanics, follow through, repeat 25–50 times.

2. Wall Shooting Drill

Shoot softly against a wall to improve arm control and wrist movement.

3. BEEF Technique Shots

BEEF stands for Balance, Eyes, Elbow, Follow-through. Repeat slowly for good form.

4. Five Spot Shooting

Shoot from five close spots: front, left, right, and two short corners.

5. Layup Practice (Left & Right)

Right hand layup uses left-right steps; left hand layup uses right-left steps.

6. Free Throw Routine

One breath, one dribble, set feet, shoot.

7. Pass, Catch, and Shoot Drill

Partner passes, player catches, squares up, and shoots.

8. Dribble Into Shot Drill

Take 1–2 dribbles, stop balanced, shoot with proper form.

Fun Shooting Games

Around the World

Beat the Buzzer

Gentle Knockout

Partner Challenges

Common Shooting Mistakes

Using two hands to launch the ball

Shooting from too far

Jumping forward instead of upward

Leaning the body

Shooting too fast

How Parents and Coaches Can Help

Praise effort

Keep practice fun

Avoid pressure

Encourage consistency

Importance of Maple Court Technique

A premium wood surface offers better grip, reduces injuries, and improves balance and footwork.

When to Increase Training Difficulty

Increase difficulty only when form is stable, smooth, and consistent.

Sample Weekly Shooting Plan

Day	Focus	Time
Monday	Form shooting	30 minutes
Wednesday	Layups and spot shots	30 minutes
Friday	Dribble shooting and games	30 minutes
Weekend	Optional fun practice	20 minutes

FAQs

How many shots should a 10 year old take?
50–100 well-formed shots.

Should 10 year olds shoot three-pointers?
No, focus on close-range form first.

Best hoop height for a 10 year old?
8–9 feet.

How long should training last?
20–30 minutes.

How can parents help?
Encourage effort and practice basics.