Discover Rhythm & Confidence with the “Longhorn” 3-Point Shooting Drill

When it comes to shooting the basketball, rhythm is everything.

The best shooters in the world don’t just “let it fly”—they build their rhythm early and stay locked in for the long haul. That rhythm doesn’t start in the game. It starts in the gym. And today’s 3-point shooting drill is one of the best ways to help your players develop it.

This is a favorite in our gym—it’s called the “Longhorn” 3-point shooting drill—and it delivers more than just reps. It builds rhythm, shot focus, pressure management, and confidence.

Oh, and if you’re looking for more resources to help with confidence and pressure management, you should check out these tools as well…

1. 5 Game-Like Shooting Drills to Build Confident, Consistent Scorers
2. Competitive Basketball Drills to Build Game-Ready Teams
3. Comfort in Chaos: Train Game-Ready Finishing Under Pressure

Anyways, let’s dive into how to run it and what it will do for your team.

How This 3-Point Shooting Drill Works

• Your player begins in one of the five perimeter spots (corner, wing, slot, top, or opposite side).
• They shoot until they miss two in a row.
• Each basket counts as one point.
• Once they miss twice in a row, they move to the next spot.

In this 3-point shooting drill, the goal is to rack up as many points as possible without missing two in a row.

Why This Drill Works

This drill isn’t just about volume—the emphasis is on quality and mental toughness.

This drill focuses on:

Rhythm Under Pressure
Players must lock in early and stay focused. One miss won’t end the round—but two in a row will. That subtle pressure helps simulate in-game focus. This 3-point shooting drill teaches players to lock in under pressure, knowing that two consecutive misses ends their round.

Shooting Through Misses
In a game, players won’t always hit their first shot. This 3-point shooting drill helps them battle through and rediscover rhythm after a miss.

Rebound Hustle
We don’t let the ball hit the floor. Players chase down their own rebound, creating a game-like pace and urgency.

Passing Matters
This drill also reinforces that great shooters need great passes. Even in a 3-point shooting drill, great passes set up great shots. We emphasize “on time, on target” passing throughout.

Tips to Maximize the Drill

• Add a scoring board: Track each player’s total points to drive competition and give them a benchmark to beat next time.
• Group players by shooting ability: Let each athlete work within their range. You can bring the drill inside the arc for less experienced players.
• Challenge their mindset: Use this drill to talk about handling adversity—missing one doesn’t ruin the drill. But how they respond to it defines their success.

Watch the “Longhorn” 3-Point Shooting Drill Video

When players can shoot through misses, stay confident, and play with rhythm, they become the kind of shooters you can count on late in games.

FAQ: Longhorn 3-Point Shooting Drill for Rhythm, Focus, and Confidence

This FAQ is built to help coaches and players fully understand, adapt, and implement the Longhorn Drill for better shooting rhythm, mental resilience, and game-readiness.

Q: What is the main purpose of the Longhorn 3-point shooting drill?
A: The Longhorn Drill is designed to build shooting rhythm, focus, and pressure management. Players shoot from five perimeter spots and continue at each until they miss two shots in a row. Every made shot before back-to-back misses counts as one point. It’s a mental and physical challenge that simulates game-like shooting confidence and recovery after a miss.

Use the Longhorn Drill to build shooters who can perform under pressure and bounce back after misses.

Q: How does this drill simulate game pressure?
A: Players are forced to lock in early because two consecutive misses ends their round at each spot. That slight pressure mimics in-game intensity where every shot matters. It builds mental toughness and the ability to recover quickly from a miss without panicking. This drill is especially valuable for developing consistent, late-game shooters.

Coach players to stay composed after a miss and focus on the next make.

Q: How should the court be set up for this drill?
A: Designate five key perimeter shooting spots:

• Right Corner
• Right Wing
• Top of the Key
• Left Wing
• Left Corner

Players begin at one spot and rotate clockwise after missing two in a row. The setup ensures repetition and rhythm from all primary shooting zones.

Walk through each spot with your team and set clear movement cues between positions.

Q: Can this drill be used for mid-range shooting too?
A: Yes. You can easily adapt the drill for mid-range shooters or younger players by bringing the spots inside the arc. The “miss two in a row” rule remains the same, making it a flexible drill for all skill levels. This makes it ideal for player development at any stage.

Adjust shooting distance based on age and experience while keeping the pressure format intact.

Q: How do I track player progress in the Longhorn Drill?
A: Track total points—each made shot before two consecutive misses. You can:

• Create a leaderboard
• Track personal bests
• Use weekly averages

This adds accountability and competitive motivation, helping players measure improvement over time.

Use a whiteboard or digital chart to display scores and encourage self-competition.

Q: Why do players rebound their own shot in this drill?
A: Having players chase their own rebounds simulates game-like urgency and creates a faster tempo. It teaches players to:

• Hustle after misses
• Stay engaged between shots
• Prepare for the next rep with focus

It also builds conditioning while keeping reps intentional.

Make “no ball hits the floor” a standard during the drill to emphasize effort and focus.

Q: What coaching points should I emphasize during this drill?
A: Focus on:

• Balance and consistent footwork
• Following through fully
• Quick mental resets after a miss
• Positive self-talk and composure

Remind players that the drill rewards focus—not perfection. Encourage them to treat each shot as a fresh opportunity.

Use the drill to coach both technique and mindset at the same time.

Q: How can I make this drill more competitive?
A: Add scoring elements like:

• Tracking highest point totals per spot
• Ranking by total combined points across all five spots
• Setting team targets to beat

You can also pair players up to compete head-to-head or in timed rounds.

Layer in competition to drive energy and intensity while maintaining shooting standards.

Q: How often should I use the Longhorn Drill?
A: 2–3 times per week is ideal. Use it:

• Early in practice to build rhythm
• Mid-practice for a focused shooting block
• At the end as a competitive finisher

Repetition with accountability helps build the habits and confidence needed in games.

Rotate the Longhorn Drill into your weekly plan and log progress after each session.

Q: Where can I access more drills that build rhythm, confidence, and game-like shooting?
A: Explore hundreds of drills, breakdowns, and coaching plans in the PGC Coaching Community. This membership includes a 7-day free trial and access to the tools top coaches use to build consistent, confident shooters who deliver under pressure. It’s your next step in mastering game-ready shooting development.

Start your free trial of the PGC Coaching Community today and discover drills that go beyond reps.

Use the Longhorn Drill to Build Rhythm-Focused Shooters

The Longhorn Drill trains more than just mechanics—it challenges players to stay mentally sharp, handle misses, and build rhythm under pressure. Make it a regular part of your training to develop shooters who can perform when it matters most.

TJ

Check out all of our offensive drills and strategy resources here.

About the Author

TJ Rosene

Coach TJ Rosene, head coach of the Emmanuel University men’s basketball team and Director of Coach Development for PGC Coaching, has spent his career shaping young athletes both on and off the court. With over 400 career wins and 12 seasons of 20+ wins, Rosene’s coaching experience is extensive and impressive. His teams have competed in six national championship games, winning three NCCAA National Championships. Under his leadership, the Lions made their NCAA Division II debut in 2018-19 and quickly captured two season titles and one tournament title, along with an appearance in the NCAA Division II Sweet 16 in 2021.

Rosene’s success expands far beyond the scoreboard. He’s been named National Coach of the Year three times and Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year twice. But for Coach Rosene, the most meaningful part of his work is the lasting impact he has on his players’ lives. As he puts it, “Coaching is a rare opportunity to shape and mold the lives of young people. It’s a privilege that I never take for granted.”