Purpose: To teach the defender to guard against three offensive players in a fast break situation. This situation may not present itself very often, but it does occur. It is good to have been drilled in this situation. Drill: Four lines needed; three offensive lines at the midcourt line and one defensive line on the baseline. The ball starts in the middle offensive line and the first defender begins at about the free throw line. The middle man dribbles toward the defender as his … [Read more...]
Cycles
Purpose: To teach and develop transition offense in a game-like situation. The focus and emphasis for this drill is on the offense but it will also work on transition defense and is a fabulous drill to build game-type conditioning. Drill: This drill requires 10 players (5 on offense, 5 on defense). Two defenders (X4, X5) wait out of bounds on the opposite baseline, while three defenders (X1, X2, X3) wait out of bounds on the starting side of the court. The five offensive players begin on this … [Read more...]
3-on-2 Full Court Chaser Drill
Purpose: To work on a fast break situation and develop the decision making abilities of the point guard (or whoever is leading the break). Also is good for working on transition defense. Drill: This drill is run as a 3-on-2 with a defensive chaser attempting to 'recover' and make it a 3-on-3. The point guard starts on the free throw line (or free throw line extended) and the chaser starts on the baseline. The other two defenders start inside their respective players and a step or two closer … [Read more...]
Reaction 3-Man Weave to 2-on-1 Drill
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...]
4 Man Touch the Line
Purpose: To demonstrate a defensive emergency situation that allows the defense to practice against an offensive advantage. Drill: 4 defenders, numbered 1 through 4, line up along the free throw line extended, facing the baseline. 4 offensive players line up just inside the baseline, facing the other end of the court. A coach is standing on the court with a basketball. The coach will pass the basketball to one of the offensive players who will proceed up the court with his teammates. Just as … [Read more...]
Rush Drill
Purpose: Teach the defensive player to retreat quickly in a disadvantage situation and to possibly hold up the offensive players long enough for help to come. Drill: Have 3 lines under a basket as shown. The player in the middle line will begin with the basketball. The middle player will execute a speed dribble to the other end of the court and shoot a layup while the two outside players sprint down and secure the rebound. The player who scored the layup must now sprint back on defense to the … [Read more...]
Influence the Dribbler Drill
Purpose: Work on the ability to pick up the dribbler at halfcourt by giving pressure, not by backing up. This drill is perfect for when you desire to pressure the dribbler immediately upon reaching the frontcourt. Drill: 1 offensive player with a ball begins on the baseline. 1 defender at halfcourt. The defender will pick up the dribbler as he reaches the midcourt line. The idea is that you do not start retreating when the dribbler arrives; you want to slow up the dribbler or make him pick up … [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...]
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...]