If you’ve ever watched Stephen Curry pull up from the logo and splash a three like it was a layup, you’ve probably wondered what kind of voodoo he’s practicing in the gym. It looks so effortless that it almost feels like a cheat code. But the reality is a lot more grueling than "natural talent" suggests.
Honestly, the answer to how many shots does Steph Curry shoot a day isn't a single, static number. It’s a shifting target that depends on whether he’s in the middle of a grueling NBA playoff run or grinding through the August heat in a quiet high school gym.
Most people assume he just tosses up a few hundred shots and calls it a day. It’s way more clinical than that. Curry isn’t just "shooting"; he’s engineering a level of muscle memory that most pros can't even touch.
The Offseason Grind: The 500-Make Rule
During the summer, the volume goes way up. While other players might be on a beach, Curry is usually in the gym with his longtime trainer, Brandon Payne. During these months, the goal is often centered around 500 makes, not just 500 attempts.
Think about that for a second.
If he’s shooting 80%—which is a high bar even for him during high-intensity drills—he’s actually putting up closer to 600 or 650 shots just to hit that "500 makes" mark. He doesn't just stand in one place, either. He’s running, sprinting, and doing what they call "neurocognitive training" where he has to react to flashing lights while dribbling before he even takes the shot.
Why the Offseason is Different
- Skill Expansion: This is when he works on those weird, off-balance floaters or extending his range even further.
- Conditioning: He often shoots when his heart rate is above 180 BPM to simulate the fourth quarter.
- Volume: He’s building the "bank" of reps that will carry him through the season.
The In-Season Maintenance: Quality Over Quantity
Once the 82-game grind of the NBA season starts, the math for how many shots does Steph Curry shoot a day changes significantly. You can't put up 600 shots a day when you’re playing 35 minutes of high-stakes basketball every other night. Your legs would give out by January.
During the season, Curry usually scales back to about 200 to 300 shots per practice.
These aren't casual shots. Every single one is tracked. He has a system (often using technologies like Noah Basketball) that measures the arc, the depth, and the left-right deviation of every single ball that leaves his hands.
If he’s not hitting the "perfect" arc—which for him is right around 45 to 46 degrees—he adjusts. He’s basically a human computer running a diagnostic test on his own shooting form every single morning.
The Legendary "100 Threes" Finisher
Regardless of the time of year, there is one constant in Curry’s routine that has become legendary in basketball circles. Every workout ends with a drill where he shoots 100 three-pointers.
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He moves around the arc—two corners, two wings, and the top of the key.
To give you an idea of how insane his "normal" is: Curry has been known to make 94 out of 100 or even 77 in a row during these sessions. Most NBA players are happy with 80/100. For Steph, if he misses more than 10, it's probably a bad day. This isn't just about the number; it's about the psychological edge of ending every session by seeing the ball go through the net over and over again.
A Breakdown of a Standard Practice Session
- Form Shooting: He starts right under the rim. One-handed. Just flicking the wrist to find the touch.
- Mid-Range Pull-ups: Moving out to 15 feet to get the legs involved.
- Spot-up Threes: Rapid-fire catches from the wings and corners.
- Move-Set Reps: Dribble-heavy shots, step-backs, and those "how did he do that?" shots off the glass.
- The Finish: The 100 threes mentioned above.
The Fatigue Factor: Shooting While Exhausted
What really separates Curry’s 300 shots from an average player’s 300 shots is the intensity. Brandon Payne, his trainer, has often spoken about how they try to "overload" Steph’s brain.
He might be doing a drill where he has to dribble two balls, watch a light flash a certain color, make a decision on which way to cross over, and then immediately pull up for a 30-foot jumper.
This mimics the chaos of a real game. By the time he takes the shot, his lungs are burning. This is why he doesn't look tired in the fourth quarter—he's already "lived" that exhaustion thousands of times in the gym.
It’s Not Just About the Number
If you’re a young player trying to copy him, don't just go to the park and hurl 500 shots at the rim. That’s actually a great way to build bad habits.
The secret isn't just the volume; it's the precision. Curry tracks his misses. If he misses short, he knows his legs aren't under him. If he misses right, he knows his elbow is flared.
Basically, he’s not just practicing until he gets it right. He’s practicing until he can’t get it wrong.
Actionable Insights for Your Own Game
If you want to apply the "Curry Method" to your own routine, you don't need to shoot 500 times today. Honestly, you probably shouldn't. Start with these three steps instead:
- Track Your Makes, Not Your Shots: Stop saying "I took 100 shots." Start saying "I made 50." It shifts your focus from just throwing the ball up to actually finishing the play.
- Master the "Form Start": Spend the first 10 minutes of every workout within five feet of the basket. If you can't make 10 in a row with perfect form from five feet, you have no business shooting from twenty.
- Add "Game Speed" Reps: Once you’re warmed up, never take a shot at a walking pace. Sprint to your spot, catch, and fire.
The answer to how many shots does Steph Curry shoot a day is ultimately "as many as it takes to feel perfect." For him, that might be 500. For you, it might be 50 focused, high-quality reps. Quality will beat mindless quantity every single time.
To truly improve, record your last 20 shots of a session. You'll see exactly where your form breaks down when you're tired—and that's the "Curry secret" no one talks about.