Purpose: To teach basketball players to make a continuous effort to go for the ball when offensive rebounding. Conversely, to teach defensive players to blockout, rebound, and make the outlet pass. Drill: This rebounding drill is 3-on-3 competition between the offense and defense. Two coaches or managers act as shooters / outlet receivers. The drill begins with a coach shooting the basketball. If the defensive players gain control, they outlet the ball to either coach. If the offensive … [Read more...]
Medicine Ball Squat, Press & Chase
Purpose: To develop greater power and speed into acceleration. Improve first step quickness and explosiveness. Drill: Hold a medicine ball in front of chest and squat down to a 1/2 squat position. Drive from your heels to your toes as you explode forward off the ground at approximately a 45 degree angle, extending the arms and pressing (throwing) the ball as far as possible. Upon landing from the explosive launching start, accelerate and chase (sprint) past the rolling medicine ball. Coaching … [Read more...]
Individual V-Cut Drill
Purpose: To learn how to make a fundamentally sound V-cut. This drill incorporates footwork, 1-on-1 moves, and shooting useful in developing the ability to get open and being able to make an scoring move once you have the basketball in your hands. Drill: The player begins in one of the corners. Cones can be placed on the court as shown, but are not necessary. They are mainly used to demonstrate the spots on the court where the player will begin each V-cut. The player begins by placing the … [Read more...]
1-and-1 and Run Free Throw Drill
Purpose: To practice free throw shooting in a pressure situation. Drill: The 1-and-1 and Run drill can be done at the end of practice as an actual drill, or the coach can pick players out during practice. The premise of the drill is simple; if a player misses the front end of a 1-and-1, the team will run a 10-second drill (full court down & back sprint). If he misses the back end of the 1-and-1, the team will run to half-court and back. To perform this during practice, at random times I … [Read more...]
By the Ear Passing Drill
Purpose: To teach the concept of passing the basketball 'by the ear' and to develop the basketball players ability to make the pass through defensive pressure. Passing 'by the ear' works nearly every time if performed correctly. For example, a low ball fake gets the defender to drop his arm. Bringing the ball back and then passing 'by the ear' of the defender is virtually unstoppable. As defenders, we are not used to or comfortable having our hands up by our ears. Therefore, a pass zipped right … [Read more...]
Head Up Dribble to Pass Drill
Purpose: To work on dribbling with the head up to see the entire court and finding the open player to pass the basketball. Drill: Split the team so that 4-6 players take a spot somewhere in the far half court and the remaining players begin at the baseline. 3 cones are needed just beyond the three-point line as shown. The coach or manager stands near the free throw line. The first player on the baseline dribbles to either the left, middle, or right cone as the coach calls which to dribble at. … [Read more...]
2-on-1 Tip-In Rebounding Drill
Purpose: To develop aggressiveness in rebounding, body control and balance, and timing during contact. Drill: Three players at a basket; one offensive and two defensive players. The offensive player works at keeping the ball alive until he successfully taps it in the basket. O1 stands a couple of feet in front of the rim with a basketball. The defenders, X1 and X2, start on each side of the lane, with at least one foot touching the lane line. O1 tosses the basketball off the backboard and … [Read more...]
Footwork to the Letter Agility Drill
Purpose: To develop footwork, agility, balance, speed and overall conditioning. Drill: Players will form two lines under the basket and perform the following movements, spelling out any letter chosen (in this diagram, I have used the letter 'M'): Defensive slide to the corner. Sprint to half court. Slide to the 3-point line. Sprint to half court. Backpedal to the baseline. Rotate lines after completing each circuit. Continue for desired number of repetitions. Note: You can utilize any … [Read more...]
Bad Pass Drill
Purpose: To build confidence, reaction, hand-eye coordination, and improve bad hands. Passes into the lane rarely go uncontested and the 'Bad Pass Drill' helps the players learn to catch a bad pass and turn it into a basket or free throw opportunity. Drill: O2 starts on the low block. O1 (or a coach or manager) stands at the top of the key with a basketball. O2 flashes into the lane to begin the drill. O1 throws a bad pass (but catchable) to O2. O2 catches the ball and passes it back to … [Read more...]
3-Man Figure Eight Rebounding Drill
Purpose: To work on quickness in rebounding. This drill focuses on foot and hand quickness, having a soft touch, and overall conditioning. Drill: Three players position themselves across the lane. O1 is in the lane just to the right of the basket with the basketball. O2 and O3 are on each side of the lane at the blocks. The drill begins with O1 tossing the ball off the backboard and over the basket twoard O3's side. O1 moves quickly to replace O3. O3 reacts to rebound and tip the ball off … [Read more...]