Looking for a youth basketball shooting drill that challenges players to improve accuracy, pace, and endurance? The M Drill and 5-Spot Shooting Progression are two simple, high-intensity workouts that turn any empty gym into a game-ready training session. Featured on the TeachHoops YouTube channel, these drills combine conditioning and repetition, helping players compete against the clock while sharpening their form and confidence.
Drill 1: The M Drill Shooting Challenge
The M Drill teaches players to move with purpose, hit from all five key shooting spots, and track their own progress. It’s ideal for solo workouts or warm-ups at team practice.
Setup:
- One basketball
- Stopwatch or timer
- Five shooting spots: both corners, both wings, top of the key
How it works:
- Start the timer for one minute.
- The player must make one shot from each of the five spots.
- Record the total time to complete all five makes.
- On the next round, try to beat that time.
Progressions:
- Round 2: Two makes per spot (1:00)
- Round 3: Three makes per spot (1:45)
- Round 4: Four makes per spot (2:00)
If there’s no rebounder, allow a little extra time to chase down rebounds.
Coaching points:
- Keep feet active between shots.
- Focus on balance and form even under fatigue.
- Encourage players to compete against themselves or teammates.
This drill builds rhythm, stamina, and confidence in game-speed situations.
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Drill 2: The 5-Spot Shooting Progression
Once players have mastered the M Drill, the 5-Spot Shooting Progression takes things to the next level. It uses the same five spots but increases total makes, footwork variety, and movement patterns.
Setup:
- Same five shooting spots
- Partner or rebounder (optional)
- Stopwatch or scoreboard timer
How it works:
- Players aim to make a set number of shots (for example, 10 or 15) cycling through all five spots.
- Emphasize continuous motion—no pauses between makes.
- Mix in pivots, jab steps, or pump fakes to simulate live play.
- Record total makes and time to track improvement week-to-week.
Why it works:
- Builds conditioning through constant movement.
- Reinforces consistent mechanics from multiple angles.
- Helps players transfer shooting fundamentals to game flow.
Why Coaches Love These Drills
Together, the M Drill and 5-Spot Progression form a complete shooting workout, efficient, competitive, and scalable for all levels. They train muscle memory, self-accountability, and stamina without needing fancy equipment or full-court setups.
Whether you’re coaching youth players or high school athletes, these drills teach players to stay focused, move with intent, and build confidence with every rep.
Bonus: Smarter Tournament Planning
If you’re coaching club ball or running weekend tournaments, organization is half the battle. Between travel logistics, gate fees, and scheduling headaches, it can be overwhelming.
That’s why platforms like SidelineSavings.com are emerging, helping tournament operators, coaches, and parents streamline entry, scheduling, and payment systems so everyone can focus on basketball, not spreadsheets.
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