A playful shooting drill that teaches young players how to shoot with a high arc, soft touch, and confident follow-through in a fun, visual way.
Place different colored cones or poly spots around the basket—each color representing a shooting location. Give each player a ball. Call out a color, and players must dribble to that spot and take a simple shot (layup or close-range form shot). After shooting, they get their rebound and wait for the next color call.
Keep rounds quick so players stay engaged. Mix colors rapidly to encourage listening and fast reactions, similar to the quick-cue structure in Color Call Shooting. You can also add light movement challenges inspired by Rainbow Relay Dribbling, helping players move with purpose. For fun group energy, blend in teamwork elements like those found in Castle Protectors.
Run 20–30 second rounds, then switch colors, increase speed, or ask players to use their weak hand.
• Call two colors in a row for multi-spot movement
• Require a specific finishing type (weak hand, high-off-glass)
• Add a dribble move before the shot
• Players must make the shot before moving to the next color
• Keep eyes up to locate the color quickly
• Use soft, controlled layups and form shots
• Stay balanced on the catch and finish
• Move with quick, small steps toward each spot
Rainbow Shots builds listening skills, coordination, and finishing confidence while giving kids a fun, colorful target to chase. The simple structure keeps players active and successful. The Rainbow Shots drill is an ideal way to develop early shooting habits in Mini Hoopers.