If you’re a coach looking to keep your players active and improving during the offseason, the Summer Basketball Shooting Drill known as the Magic 20 is a must-add to your training plan. It’s simple, competitive, and helps reinforce strong fundamentals. Better yet, it’s easy to run and track, which is exactly what youth basketball players need during the summer.
In this post, I’ll break down how to run the drill, what skills it develops, and how to make it part of your summer training routine.
Why Use the Magic 20 Summer Basketball Shooting Drill?
First of all, the Magic 20 is a fantastic way to build consistency. Secondly, it encourages accountability through a timed format. In other words, it’s a complete workout in just a few minutes. Players must complete 20 makes, hitting key shots from around the floor.
This Summer Basketball Shooting Drill develops:
- Finishing with both hands
- Touch around the basket
- Bank shot accuracy
- Elbow shooting consistency
- Pressure free-throw shooting
Most importantly, it builds mental toughness through repetition and time-based pressure.
How to Run the Magic 20 Shooting Drill
Here’s how to set it up:
- Start the clock — players will track how long it takes them to make all 20 shots.
- Players must make each shot before moving on.
- They finish with five free throws after the 20 makes.
The 20 required shots:
- 2 right-handed layups
- 2 left-handed layups
- 2 right-handed Mikan shots
- 2 left-handed Mikan shots
- 2 right-handed reverse Mikan shots
- 2 left-handed reverse Mikan shots
- 2 right-side bank shots
- 2 left-side bank shots
- 2 right elbow jumpers
- 2 left elbow jumpers
This challenge can be repeated daily. As a result, players can track improvement throughout the summer.
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Coaching Tips for Making the Most of This Drill
1. Focus on Form Before Speed
Encourage players to focus on footwork, follow-through, and balance first. Speed comes with confidence and repetition.
2. Use Both Hands
It’s tempting for younger players to favor one hand. However, this drill demands both sides of the body to be active.
3. Track Progress in a Notebook
Have each player log their best times. This keeps them engaged and allows for measurable improvement.
4. Make it Competitive
Use leaderboards in practice. For example, post the top three times on the gym wall each week.
5. Don’t Skip the Free Throws
Finishing with five free throws simulates late-game pressure. Additionally, it reinforces the importance of free throw shooting when fatigued.
How to Integrate It into Your Summer Program
This Summer Basketball Shooting Drill is a great way to start or end a workout. You can also use it as a station in a skills circuit. Since it doesn’t require defenders or fancy equipment, players can even do it solo at a park or driveway hoop.
Looking for more summer workout ideas? Check out this great youth shooting workout at CoachingYouthHoops.com. And for coaches looking to level up their approach, I recommend the full training library at TeachHoops.com.
Final Thoughts
The offseason isn’t just about rest—it’s about smart reps. This Summer Basketball Shooting Drill gives players a tool to sharpen key skills without burnout. Run it regularly, track progress, and watch your players’ confidence grow shot by shot.
For more drills, mentoring, and complete summer planning resources, visit TeachHoops.com. And don’t forget to subscribe to their YouTube channel for fresh content posted almost daily.
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