“One Extra” Basketball Shooting Drill: Train Unselfishness, Improve Decision-Making, & Create Better Shots

We’ve all been there.

You draw up a great action, your team gets a paint touch, the ball swings to an open player…and they force a shot instead of making one extra pass for an even better shot.

In the heat of a game, those small decisions add up. And too often, players don’t make the extra pass because we haven’t trained them to.

That’s where the One Extra basketball shooting drill comes in.

But before we dive into the drill, I want to share some additional resources you may want to check out next:

1. Comfort in Chaos: Train Game-Ready Finishing Under Pressure
2. 7-Spot ‘Huie’ Shooting Drill to Build Rhythm and Confidence
3. Why I Spent 12 Straight Practices on the Read & React (and Didn’t Teach Defense)

On Extra Basketball Shooting Drill Breakdown

The setup is simple:

• Player 1 drives the lane and kicks it to a teammate who could shoot…
• Player 2 receives the pass but is now under pressure from a closeout…
• Player 3 makes “one extra” pass to the next player…
• Player 4 either shoots OR shot fakes and drives to finish

This simple progression trains:

• Reading the closeout
• Making the unselfish extra pass
• Attacking a re-closeout under control
• Finishing at the rim

Rotation is continuous, players fill the next spot and keep the ball moving.

Why It Matters

You hear it all the time—“share the ball!”, “make the extra pass!”—but how often do we truly rehearse it in practice?

This basketball passing drill puts your players in the exact read-reaction moment they’ll face in a game:

• Is it a shot?
• A pass?
• A drive?

We want our players to develop the instincts to make the right read—not just the first open shot, but the best shot.

Coaching Points of Emphasis

• Closeout Recognition: Players must quickly assess whether they’re under pressure and if a better shot is available.
• “One More” Mentality: It’s a culture-builder. Reinforce that great teams pass up good shots for great ones.
• Finish with Purpose: The last action is a shot fake and drive—mirroring how defenses often scramble and recover late.

“One Extra Pass” Basketball Shooting Drill Video for Basketball Coaches

This basketball passing drill doesn’t just teach better passing —it builds better teammates. And that’s what great teams are made of.

FAQ: “One Extra” Basketball Shooting Drill to Build Unselfishness, Instincts, and Team IQ

These FAQs guide you in teaching and maximizing the One Extra Drill—a foundational tool for improving passing decisions, closeout recognition, and offensive flow.

Q: What is the goal of the “One Extra” basketball shooting drill?

A: The goal is to train players to:

• Read the closeout
• Make an unselfish extra pass
• Attack off the second closeout with control
• Finish at the rim under pressure

It replicates the exact scenario where a good shot could be passed up for a great one, reinforcing offensive patience and trust.
Use this drill to help your team create high-quality shots through unselfish reads.

Q: Why is teaching the “extra pass” so important?

A: Most offensive breakdowns happen when players settle for the first available shot instead of moving the ball for a better one. The “One Extra” drill teaches:

• Team-first mindset
• Offensive flow
• Decision-making under pressure

It turns good shooters into smart playmakers—and builds team identity. Reinforce the value of passing up a good look for a better one through daily reps.

Q: How does the drill work step-by-step?

A:

1. Player 1 drives and kicks to Player 2
2. Player 2, under closeout pressure, makes the extra pass to Player 3
3. Player 3 either shoots or fakes and drives for a finish
4. Players rotate to the next spot, keeping the drill continuous

Each rep trains reaction speed, read-making, and team-oriented offense. Introduce each layer slowly, then combine into one fluid sequence.

Q: What key reads are players developing in this drill?

A:

• Is the closeout short (shoot) or long (drive)?
• Can I make the extra pass before pressure arrives?
• Is my shot better than my teammate’s?

The drill fosters shot selection awareness and real-time decision-making. Coach players to ask: “Is this the best shot we can get right now?”

Q: How does this drill build team chemistry?

A: It promotes:

• Trust in teammates to make the next play
• Communication (calling “one more!”)
• Accountability to make the right read—not the selfish one

It creates a culture where players play with and for each other.
Make “one more” a program-wide mantra to foster unselfishness.

Q: Can the “One Extra” drill be used with youth or lower-level players?

A: Yes. For beginners:

• • Start with simple catch-pass-shoot reps
  • Emphasize spacing and passing fundamentals
  • Slow down decision speed until recognition improves

Then add fakes, drives, and defenders over time

Then add fakes, drives, and defenders over time.
Scale the complexity of the drill based on age and basketball IQ.

Q: What coaching cues should I emphasize during this drill?

A: Focus on:

• “Peek at the rim” on every catch
• “Read the closeout—don’t predetermine”
• “Drive with purpose, not panic”
• “Finish under control, not rushed”

These cues reinforce read-first, react-second behavior.
Coach both the read and the reaction—don’t let players just go through the motions.

Q: How do I add competition or pressure to this drill?

A: Try:

• Timed makes (e.g., 10 made layups in 2 minutes)
• Defender fly-outs to simulate closeouts
• “No dribble” rules for extra-pass timing
• Score tracking for best unselfish decisions

Pressure elevates reps to game speed and mindset.
Add scoring rules to encourage shot discipline and decision sharpness.

Q: How often should this drill be used in practice?

A: Use it:

• Weekly as a shooting segment
• Daily when emphasizing team offense or shot selection
• As a warm-up or end-of-practice culture drill

The more reps players get, the more natural unselfish reads become.
Track “great passes” or “extra-pass makes” to build consistency and reward the right habits.

Q: Where can I find more drills that teach unselfishness and decision-making?

A: Explore more pass-first and read-based drills inside the PGC Coaching Community. With a 7-day free trial, you’ll access breakdowns, coaching strategies, and proven progressions that emphasize teamwork, poise, and high-IQ basketball. It’s the next step in building a smart, selfless, and competitive team.

Start your free trial of the PGC Coaching Community and access more drills like the “One Extra” today.

Build Your Team’s “One More” Mentality

The “One Extra” drill develops the habits that great offenses are built on—unselfishness, recognition, and trust. Make it a staple of your practices to raise your team’s shot quality, cohesion, and confidence under pressure.

– 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.”