Purpose: To work on transition offense, transition defense, conditioning, and reacting quickly to a situation that occurs on the court. Drill: The players will set up in three lines outside the baseline. The first three players (O1, O2, O3) move onto the court and begin executing a 3-man weave going down the court. The players will continue until the coach blows his whistle or yells the command 'change'. Upon hearing the whistle, whoever has the basketball will immediately drop it and sprint … [Read more...]
3-on-2 to 2-on-1 Drill
Purpose: To work on the transition game where the offensive is at a man advantage. The emphasis of this drill is dependent upon your fast break strategies and whether you choose to focus on the offense or defense. Drill: Form three lines on the baseline as shown. Two players, X1 and X2 line up on either side of the halfcourt line. The first three players in line begin by tossing the ball off the backboard, making the outlet pass and breaking down the court. On the toss, the two defenders will … [Read more...]
Start Your Fast Break Drill
Purpose: To teach the players to fill the lanes properly on a fast break in a scramble situation. Drill: The coach, standing on the perimeter, will throw the basketball to one of the five players in the lane area. The player who catches the ball cannot dribble -- the fast break must be initiated by a pass. The other players must fill the lanes as required by your fast break offensive philosophy (generally, guards fill the outside lanes and bigs act as trailers and then going down … [Read more...]
2 Minute Game
Purpose: The '2 minute game' drill can do a number of things. The objective of the drill is to score as many baskets as possible in 2 minutes; and to score more in those 2 minutes than your opponent. You can use this drill to focus on either the defense or the offense. This is a very competitive and challenging drill for both sides. The offense is trying to score as many as possible, but it does need to make sure to score (going ultra-fast may get a bunch of shots, but it may not get good … [Read more...]
Fullcourt Weave to 2-on-1 Drill
This drill is a bit of variation on the normal 3-man weave to 2-on-1 drill. In the normal weave to 2-on-1, it is usually a 3-man weave up the court and a 2-on-1 coming back ... with the shooter sprinting back as the defender. This variation speeds things up a little bit more, making it more challenging for the defender to get in position and to defend the offense from scoring. Purpose: To work on transition defense from a disadvantage situation. Also helps develop offensive transition … [Read more...]
Pass and Score Under Pressure Drill
Purpose: To help the players recognize passing and catching in motion, defensive recovery from the weakside, and scoring while being challenged. This drill covers a lot of areas within a transition setting. It is a great game-simulation drill and also highly competitive. Players will enjoy this drill and get great conditioning besides. Drill: Player 1 begins in the foul lane, with a ball, and facing the basket. Player 2 and Player 3 stand about 15 feet away on each side of the baseline. #1 … [Read more...]
Celtic Drill
Purpose: The Celtic Drill incorporates the outlet pass, layup, baseball pass, and the ability to catch the basketball on a dead run and put it on the floor for a layup without traveling. Also an excellent drill for building up speed and stamina. Drill: The drill begins with player 1 standing on the low block and player 2 standing in the outlet area. Player 1 outlets the basketball to player 2. Player 2 drives wide the full length of the court for a layup. Player 1, after making the outlet … [Read more...]
Break Advantage Drill
Purpose: To work on both transition offense and transition defense. In this drill, the offense will always work with a man advantage and the defense has to work with a man disadvantage. This drill also requires a great deal of communication. Drill: The drill starts with 5 offensive players running your transition offense/secondary break. The 5 offensive players will be attacking 4 defensive players. Depending upon what you want your offensive players to attack, the defense can play … [Read more...]
3-Man Weave to 2-on-1
Purpose: To develop teamwork, ball control, passing, and conditioning while attempting to score. Drill: The players should get into three lines at one end of the court (additional players should be off the playing court, behind the baseline. The drill starts with the ball in the middle line. The rule to follow and remember in the 3-man weave is to pass the ball and go-behind the receiver (pass and go-behind). O1 passes to O2 and goes behind. O2 receives the pass, passes to O3, and goes … [Read more...]
11 Man Fast Break
Purpose: To develop fast break skills, both offensively and defensively. The 11 Man Fast Break Drill teaches the players to make smart, quick decisions. It also teaches the defenders to work together in attempting to make a stop from a disadvantage situation. Drill: Start with players in each of the four outlet positions (as shown by the players lined up off the playing court); two players in each lane for defense; and three players at halfcourt to begin (with one ball). The three … [Read more...]