Shooting is the foundation of basketball success. Every great scorer, from Steph Curry to Caitlin Clark, built their confidence and career around one thing: consistency.
At ProBall, we teach players that a great shot isn’t built overnight, it’s engineered through repetition, precision, and purpose.
After last week’s Shooting Lab with Coach Rex Nottage (the GOAT of shooting in NSW), we’ve put together the complete guide to help every player — whether you attended or missed it, continue improving your shot the right way.
1. Build from the Ground Up: Footwork is Everything
A shot doesn’t start with your hands, it starts with your feet.
Balance creates rhythm, rhythm creates consistency.
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Always start with feet shoulder-width apart.
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Your shooting-side foot should be slightly ahead of the other.
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Land in the same spot you jumped from — no drifting sideways.
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Focus on “quiet feet” — stable, controlled, and repeatable.
🧠 ProBall Tip: Coach Rex always says, “Every great shooter is balanced before the ball even leaves their hands.”
2. Master the Set Point
The set point is where your shooting motion becomes efficient.
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Keep the ball just above your eyebrow level.
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Your shooting elbow should point to the rim, not out to the side.
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Relax your off-hand; it’s there for support, not power.
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Keep your eyes locked on the rim before you even start your motion.
🎯 ProBall Drill: “Form Shooting 100”
Start close to the basket and shoot 100 slow, perfect reps a day. Focus on form, not makes.
3. Rhythm and Release
Your shot should feel like one smooth motion — no pauses or jerks.
Think: Load → Lift → Launch.
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Keep your shoulders, elbow, and wrist in line.
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Follow through with your fingers down and wrist relaxed.
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Hold your follow-through until the ball hits the rim.
🔥 ProBall Tip: Great shooters don’t chase “perfect” — they chase repeatable.
4. Footwork Under Pressure
Shooting drills are great, but real progress happens under game-like pressure.
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Practice catch-and-shoot with a defender closing out.
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Train pull-ups off the dribble from both sides.
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Work on relocating after passing — always be ready to shoot.
🏀 ProBall Drill: “1-on-1 Closeout”
Defender starts 2m away — shooter catches and has one second to shoot or drive.
5. The Mental Game – Confidence Comes from Work
Confidence isn’t a feeling — it’s the result of reps.
You don’t earn confidence by hoping. You earn it by training when others stop.
Every rep is a deposit. Game day is just the withdrawal.
🧠 Coach Rex says:
“If you’ve done the work, there’s nothing to be nervous about. Doubt lives where reps don’t.”
6. Common Shooting Mistakes (and Fixes)
❌ Drifting sideways → Fix your balance. Land on two feet.
❌ Pushing with both hands → Relax your guide hand.
❌ Short on shots → Use more legs, not more arms.
❌ Rushed rhythm → Breathe, find your base, shoot smooth.
7. The ProBall Method
Our Shooting Lab isn’t about tricks or quick fixes. It’s about:
✅ Form mechanics that translate to real games
✅ Developing shooters who can create and finish
✅ Repetition under fatigue and pressure
✅ Personalized feedback from elite coaches
The result? Players leave with real progress — not just drills.
Final Thoughts
Great shooters aren’t born. They’re built — one rep, one habit, one correction at a time.
If you missed the Shooting Lab, use this guide to start your journey.
If you were there, this is how you keep the momentum going.
Ready to take your shot to the next level?
📍 Join our next Shooting Lab or Academy training at proball.com.