How to Teach 2-Hand Form Shooting in Youth Basketball

By Brendan Winters | Former Davidson Player and Co-Founder of Pro Skills Basketball

Shooting is arguably the most important skill in basketball—especially at the youth level. If your child can shoot, they’ll likely find themselves on the court more often. Coaches value players who can consistently make shots, regardless of their athleticism or size.

When I was growing up, I earned playing time largely because I could shoot. I wasn’t the fastest or strongest, but I worked hard to become a good shooter. That said, my shooting mechanics were inefficient. I was taught to shoot with the ball high above my head and jump as high as I could on every shot. It worked—most of the time—but it wasn’t repeatable and required way more reps than necessary.

That’s why at Pro Skills Basketball, we teach a simpler, more effective way to build a shot. Our approach helps youth basketball players learn proper form from the start, build confidence, and see results faster. The foundation of that process is 1-hand and 2-hand form shooting.

In our previous post, we covered 1-hand form shooting. Now, let’s break down how to teach 2-hand form shooting step by step.

Why 2-Hand Form Shooting Matters

Before young players start shooting full jump shots, they need to master the fundamentals. Form shooting drills allow players to build muscle memory with proper mechanics, close to the basket, without worrying about range or results.

2-hand form shooting adds the guide hand and simulates the full shot motion—making it the bridge between pure technique and live game action. It’s a key component of effective basketball shooting drills for beginners and experienced players alike.

The 4 Steps of 2-Hand Form Shooting

We teach players a repeatable formula:
“Sit. Lift. Snap & Dip.”
Each step builds a strong foundation for long-term basketball shooting success.

Step 1 – HOME BASE

Start every shot in the same position for consistency.

• Stand tall, toes/hips/shoulders facing the rim
• Feet shoulder-width apart
• Shooting hand under the ball, fingers across the seams
• Guide hand on the side, not influencing the shot
• Ball rests on finger pads—not in the palm
• Shooting elbow is tucked into the hip

This is the launch pad for every youth basketball shooting technique we teach.

Step 2 – SIT (aka “Start Small”)

This step teaches proper lower-body loading—like sitting into a chair.

• Hips back, knees bent naturally
• Weight stays on heels (not toes!)
• Upper body remains tall
• Eyes focused on the rim
• Don’t let knees drift forward

This creates balance and power from the ground up—critical for youth basketball player development.

Step 3 – LIFT (to an “L”)

This sets the upper body into shooting position.

• Ball lifts to shooting pocket (between shoulder and top of head)
• Elbow stays under the ball to form an “L,” not a “V”
• Ball remains on finger pads
• Index finger points slightly toward the face
• Guide hand supports the ball without pushing it

Shooting mechanics in basketball are built one detail at a time—this is a big one.

Step 4 – SNAP & DIP

This is the shot release and follow-through.

• Upper and lower body extend at the same time
• Guide hand releases without rotation
• Ball rolls off index/middle fingers
• Elbow snaps and locks
• Knees extend fully; end on toes
• Fingers “dip” into the rim on follow-through
• Hold the follow-through until the ball hits the rim

When done correctly, this step ties everything together and produces a repeatable, accurate shot.

📋 2-Hand Form Shooting Drill for Youth Players

Here’s a simple but powerful basketball shooting drill for kids of all levels:

1. Start on the baseline, 3–5 feet from the rim
2. Shoot 10 form shots slowly and deliberately
3. Move to the wing (same distance) and shoot 10 more
4. Repeat in front of the rim, other wing, and opposite baseline
5. That’s 5 spots × 10 reps = 50 total form shots
6. When finished, move one step back and repeat

Each shot should take 5–10 seconds. The focus is on technique, not makes.

Why It Works

Form shooting builds muscle memory and improves shooting consistency over time. It’s one of the best ways for young athletes to become better shooters without building bad habits.

At Pro Skills Basketball, we emphasize these fundamentals in all of our programs, helping players improve their shooting form, confidence, and overall skill set.

Want Help Developing Your Child’s Shot?

We build great shooters by focusing on fundamentals—especially for youth basketball players. Shooting is a core part of our development model across all of our training programs:

• Club Teams – Regular skill work, including focused shooting instruction
• Skills Clinics – Short, high-impact sessions that cover shooting mechanics
• Seasonal Camps – Great reps in a fun environment, perfect for beginners
• Player Development Academy – Deep development for players not yet on a team

Looking to improve your child’s shooting technique?

📩 Contact us at admin@proskillsbasketball.com
📞 Call us at 866-996-3888