Chris Holtmann: High-Rep, Game-Like Shooting Exercises & Drills

with Chris Holtmann,
DePaul University Head Coach;
Ohio State University Head Men's Coach from 2017 to 2024;
2018 Big Ten Coach of the Year;
2018 Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year;
Butler University Head Coach from 2014 to 2017;
2017 Big East Coach of the Year;
2017 John McLendon National Coach of the Year;
former Gardner-Webb Head Coach;
2013 Big South Coach of the Year;
1994 NAIA All-American (Taylor University)

Off season player development comes with limitations, such as time with coaches and/or team activities. Coach Holtmann provides shooting drills that only need a couple of players and allow to get game-like shots up at a high volume. Efficient time management in these drills allow your players and coaches to get the maximum effort and benefit within the time available. 

Shooting Focus, 'Shot Ready', Aiming for Perfection

Being a good shooter comes with discipline in your technique and preparation. Discipline starts before the shooter receives the basketball and Coach Holtmann breaks down what coaches need to be watching for in the process. 

Shooters will prepare for the shot before even receiving the pass and there are no bad reps. Holtmann also believes that being Shot Ready before the ball arrives will greatly improve a player's shooting percentage. If everything is not correct, shooters will start it over. A good shooting team must perfect the details!

Shooting Drills 

Coach Holtmann uses players to demonstrate six Shooting Drills. These shooting drills are presented more as team-focused, but also could help the individual player develop as well. 

A couple of the drills - Celtic and Buckeye 65 - are described below:

Celtic Drill

Rebounding, Passing and Shooting all in one drill. Teammates work together in this 2-minute drill to get the shooter the most opportunities to make 2 in a row from 10 spots on the floor. This drill incorporates communication, encouragement, and works on the passer putting the ball in a spot for the shooter to succeed with it. Results are measurable allowing for coaches and players to see improvements over time. 

Buckeye 65

Coaches and programs love progressions! Shooters that have the footwork and fundamentals down can move into Buckeye 65 that has them working on 6 different spots. These spots can vary and be used for shooters getting shots up with game-like movements. Coaches can also adjust in season to have players work on getting shots from their actions within the offensive sets. These actions could include post entries, dribble penetration, screens, transition, and cutting actions to get the most out of this drill to benefit the shooter and the team. 

Developing a program filled with great shooters should be a goal all coaches work towards.

In this excellent, on-court video, Coach Holtmann passes on the tools to help you make this happen on your own court. With a focus on feet, reps and data, Holtmann is able to demonstrate the methods he has used to get his teams to improve year in and year out.

43 minutes.  2024.