SKLZ Shot Spotz Basketball Training Markers and Alternatives from Crown, Spalding and GetOut

I started down the rabbit hole of researching SKLZ Shot Spotz and other basketball shooting spots after deciding to take the plunge and coach my 3rd-grade son’s basketball team. Based on the advice from a friend who is in year 6 of coaching his son’s basketball team I wanted to start with a 5 out offense.

Ok, then when reading about teaching the 5 out offense a coaching course recommended marking the 5 spots with cones. So I searched “basketball floor cones” which then popped up SKLZ Shot Spotz. I thought flat markers would work much better since they wouldn’t get in the way and could be left on the floor during play. My hope is that these will drive home court awareness and spacing.

Now, we are only talking about a 10 to 25-dollar cost but I wanted to get the best deal and pick the right product. Hours later I emerged with more information about shot spots than I ever thought I would need to know. Hoping to save you some of that time I am documenting my journey here.

No suspense here, I ended up with the Spalding brand purely because SKLZ Shot Spotz was unavailable on Amazon and other vendors had long delivery times.

Criteria For Buying Basketball Shooting Spots

Here are the things that were important to my decision on which basketball court markers to buy:

• I wanted a thin marker so no one would trip over them
• I wanted something that would stay secure so no one would slip on them
• I wanted the numbers to be very visible so there was no confusion
• I wanted them to be durable so I never have to buy them again
• I wanted them to be basketball themed

As you will see in my critique of each of the different brands I evaluated each of them based on how many of these criteria they hit or miss. Again, ultimately, I would have bought the SKLZ Shot Spots had they been available on Amazon that day.

Crown Sporting Goods Hot Shot Training Markers

Based on many of the reviews I read the Crowning Sporting Goods basketball shot spot markers took an early lead. I didn’t necessarily like the design of the numbers on the spots, but, otherwise, it seemed to check all of the boxes on my criteria list. Ultimately, I was a little concerned that I couldn’t find a Crowning Sporting Goods stand-alone website. They only have an Amazon store (based on my research). That was enough to keep looking.

I did find this review helpful when researching on Amazon:

These are the best. They are small, sticky and flat. Work EXCELLENT on an indoor b-ball court. If you have a dusty court your going to want to wash them every other practice if you want them to remain sticky. Keep the packaging as you can use it to keep these clean in your bag.

Amazon Review

The other item that gave me pause is that I couldn’t find any reviews from 2021. Also, they have the smallest diameter of any that I reviewed at 7.5 inches.

Spalding Shooting Spots

The Spalding Shooting spots are the ones that I ended up purchasing. I didn’t necessarily like how the thick numbering font bled into the Spalding logo and thought the number may be difficult to read. But, I know, in general, Spalding has quality equipment. They were not the largest shooting spots I reviewed at 8 inches and, in retrospect, now having them in my possession I do wish I would have gone with a larger diameter.

But, the numbers look better than I would have thought in person and the floor-gripping backing looks good and durable. They also have the NBA logo which will give my little basketball players the reinforcement that these drills are legit.

Eco Walker Numbered Floor Spot Markers

In retrospect, I should have been a little more open-minded about markers that were not basketball-themed. The Eco Walker Numbered Floor Spot Markers had really clear numbering and coloring so the basketball trainees wouldn’t get confused. You could buy these in a set of 5 or 10 and you could just buy the numbers you want or in a specific single color. They are also thin at 2.5 mm.

If you want to use these for other non-basketball purposes then this may be a good utilitarian choice for your basketball shot spots.

Get Out Basketball Training Spot Markers

I really wanted these to be my choice after. They checked a lot of the boxes and had the largest diameter at 9 inches. They had the basketball them and the numbers were very visible. But after going through 10 or 12 reviews on different sites where they were sold I couldn’t pull the trigger.

Some people cited they had bought the SKLZ shot spots previously and were disappointed by these. Some say the numbers were stuck to the packaging. They said they were thin and “flimsy”. I was looking for thin and these are at 2 mm. I wouldn’t consider that a negative as long as they stick to the floor OK. But, I won’t find out. There were just too many things in the reviews that made me think the quality was not going to be there.

You may be able to find some used items on eBay but I don’t think it is worth the trouble to save a few dollars on an already inexpensive product.

How To Use SKLZ Shot Spotz

This video is a little dated. You can see that the design is now different. But it does give you some great ideas on how to use the Shot Spotz and is worth a view.

SKLZ Shot Spot

Yes, I spelled it without a “Z” in case that is how you are searching for it. Again, this would have been my choice if they were available. It is basketball-themed. Decent size at 8 inches in diameter. The numbers are clear and it had overall good reviews. It is a little more expensive because it comes with a timer. I don’t think the timer is necessary since almost all of us walk around with a phone that can do the same thing. But SKLZ builds quality training products and I would have spent the extra money just to get the shot spots.

Overall, whether you buy SKLZ Shot Spotz basketball training markers or another brand I think you will like all the things you can do with them. That is the number one thing I came away with after hours of research. Regardless of brand people really seemed to like basketball shot spots and recommend them as a great basketball training tool to create challenging situational play.

Let us know in the comments what your experience is if you buy a set. Also, check out our post on basketball gifts if your basketball player has a birthday coming up.

1. Are basketball shot spots markers necessary?

They are not absolutely necessary. You can you other things you have around the gym, such as cones, to make the shooting areas. But, they do make the drill concepts clear since they have different colors and numbers.

2. How can SKLZ Shot Spotz benefit my basketball training?

SKLZ Shot Spotz provides a structured and engaging way to practice shooting skills. By using the numbered discs, you can work on your shooting accuracy, footwork, and court vision. It offers a versatile training experience suitable for players of all ages and skill levels.

3. How many discs are included in the SKLZ Shot Spotz set?

The SKLZ Shot Spotz set includes five (5) color-coded discs with numbers ranging from 1 to 5. Each disc is made of durable material and features a non-slip bottom to ensure stability during training sessions.

4. Can I use SKLZ Shot Spotz for solo practice?

Absolutely! SKLZ Shot Spotz is designed for both individual and group training sessions. You can set up various shooting drills and games by yourself to enhance your shooting skills, footwork, and decision-making abilities on the court.

5. Is SKLZ Shot Spotz suitable for indoor and outdoor use?

Yes, SKLZ Shot Spotz is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. The discs are made of durable material that can withstand various surfaces, including hardwood, concrete, and asphalt. It allows you to practice your shooting skills wherever you have space to set up the drills.

Troy Wallace

Troy Wallace is Certified Basketball Speed Specialist and shares his experiences in trying to stay as healthy as possible to stay on the court. He is active in coaching youth basketball in YMCA, Team Work Sports Nebraska, and, currently, in the Jr. Warriors program in Omaha, NE. Visit Troy's Full Author Bio Page or email him directly.

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