Basketball Shooting Shirts, A Coach's Guide to Custom Warm Up Tops
What basketball shooting shirts are, which styles and fabrics work best, how to size them, and how to order custom shooting shirts for your team this season.
Basketball season is underway for most school, AAU and rec league teams. Uniforms usually get ordered first. The piece many coaches forget is the shooting shirt, the top your players wear during warm ups, layup lines and timeouts on the bench.
This guide covers what a shooting shirt is, the styles to choose from, how to size it and how to order custom shooting shirts that match your game uniforms.
What is a basketball shooting shirt?
A shooting shirt is a lightweight top worn over the game jersey before tipoff. It keeps players warm while they shoot around, then comes off when the game starts. Teams also wear them on the bench and for team photos.
Most shooting shirts are made from breathable polyester so players do not overheat during warm ups. They usually carry the team name, player number or a short message on the back.
Why teams wear matching shooting shirts
- Team look from the first minute. Opponents and fans see one unit walking onto the court.
- Warm muscles before tipoff. A light layer helps players stay loose in a cold gym.
- Protects the game jersey. Players can warm up hard without soaking the uniform.
- Great for fundraising and fans. Parents often want a matching shirt too.
Shooting shirt styles
Short sleeve shooting shirt. The classic warm up top. Simple, cool and easy to layer.
Long sleeve shooting shirt. Better for cold gyms and early winter tournaments.
Hooded shooting shirt with full sleeves. A popular choice for travel teams. Midfield Apparel offers a hoodie shooting shirt with full sleeves in Dri-fit polyester, starting from $22 each.
Whatever style you choose, keep the colors and fonts close to your game uniform so the whole kit looks planned.
Design ideas that work
- Team name across the chest with player numbers on the back
- A short motto or season slogan on the back, such as your team's hashtag
- Gradient or sublimated patterns that echo your jersey design
- Player names on the back for older teams and travel squads
- Sponsor logo on the sleeve if a local business is funding the season
Full sublimation means the design is dyed into the fabric, so it will not crack or peel after washing.
Not sure what you want yet? Try the AI Uniform Studio to see concept ideas for your team in a few minutes. Our designers then build the final artwork for approval.
How to size shooting shirts
Shooting shirts are worn over the game jersey, so most coaches order the same size as the jersey or one size up for a looser fit. Use the chest and length measurements in our size guide and compare them with a shirt that already fits each player.
Collect shooting shirt sizes at the same time as uniform sizes. One size form saves a week of chasing parents.
When to order
Delivery takes 14 to 21 days from artwork approval to your doorstep, including shipping. If you already ordered game uniforms, add shooting shirts now so they arrive before conference play and holiday tournaments.
If your uniforms are not ordered yet, put both on one order. Read our basketball season ordering guide for a week by week timeline.
Quick ordering checklist
- Pick your style: short sleeve, long sleeve or hooded
- Match colors and fonts to your game uniform
- Collect sizes with your uniform roster
- Approve your design mockup
- Production and delivery in 14 to 21 days
The minimum order is 10 pieces per design, and orders over $400 ship free within the United States.
Order custom basketball shooting shirts
Midfield Apparel makes custom basketball uniforms, reversible sets and shooting shirts for school, club and rec league teams across the USA. See our custom basketball jerseys or contact us with your roster and colors to get started.