Purpose: To practice using and reading screens in a live, game-type situation with defenders. Drill: Two offensive players, two defensive players, and one coach or passer at the top. This is a live situation right from the start of the drill. The two offensive players can either downscreen or backscreen for each other in an attempt to get open. Ultimately, their objective is to score. If the ball is passed to the wing, the player down low can post up. If a shot is not available, they … [Read more...]
3-on-2 with Chaser Drill
Purpose: For the offensive players to work on 3-on-2 fast break skills as well as 3-on-3 principles. For defensive players to work on playing solid defense and preventing the quick basket. Drill: The drill starts as shown in the diagram with three members of team 1 in a 3-on-2 situation against two defenders from team 2. As soon as the dribbler or basketball crosses halfcourt the next member of team 2 sprints and touches the halfcourt circle and then chases to help out on defense. If … [Read more...]
4-Out Double Flare for 3
From a 4-out, 1-in set, the goal of this play is to get a quick three-point shot or to make sure the ball gets in the hands of your best shooter. The play begins with O1 passing to O3 on the wing and then cutting through to the opposite corner. O2 cuts and fills the spot vacated by O1. (Note, O2 may need to v-cut to get open). O3 passes to O2. O4 rotates to fill O2's vacated spot. O2 then passes to O4 as O3 and O5 set a double screen for on the wing for O2. O2 cuts off the … [Read more...]
The Rogue Defense
rogue (rg) adj.: Operating outside normal or desirable controls The Rogue Defense is just as defined above. It goes against the rules of a "normal" man-to-man or zone defense. It is more strategy than a specific defensive set. The Rogue Defense can be any number of defensive tactics and strategies. When discussing the Rogue Defense, it is important to realize that it is set up based on your scouting reports. If you haven't done a good job scouting, you will not be able to install a rogue … [Read more...]
Baseline to 3-on-2 Transition Drill
Purpose: To develop fast break skills by having the offensive players work on scoring in transition from an advantage situation and to teach defensive players to hustle back on defense to stop the fast break. Drill: 5 players will line up across the baseline, as shown. A coach is in the painted area with the basketball. The inside 3 players are on offense, the outside 2 are on defense. To begin, the coach will pass the basketball to one of the 3 inside players. On the pass, the outside … [Read more...]
Post Feed Kick Out Shooting Drill
Purpose: This basketball shooting drill for perimeter players also develops several other fundamental skills such as feeding the low post, moving after passing to the low post, communication, and shooting quickly upon receiving a return pass. Drill: One line of players on the wing with a coach or manager in the low post. In our diagram, we demonstrate executing this drill on both sides of the floor. You can also use multiple baskets if available to keep the lines short. The drill starts … [Read more...]
Elbow Double Stack Out of Bounds Play
From a doublestack formation at the elbow areas, inside and outside scoring options are both created. Players line up in a double stack formation at the elbows. When the official hands the basketball to O3, O1 and O4 step into the lane and set a doublescreen for O2 who cuts off the screen and out to the three-point line. At the same time, O4 flashes to opposite short corner / corner area. Following the screen, O5 rolls to the basket and O1 steps out high to become the safety … [Read more...]
Closeout and Cut Off Drill
Purpose: To work on closing out effectively while still being able to cut off dribble penetration. Drill: One defensive player, one offensive player, and one passer needed for this drill. The passer stands at the top of the key with a basketball. The defender starts on the low block (X1) and the offensive player starts on the wing (O1). 'C' passes the basketball to O1 on the wing. X1 closes out on O1 from his position on the low block. O1 attempts to drive against X1 and can go … [Read more...]
Frank McGuire’s Basketball Coaching Code
The 15 ideals below make up the coaching code of the late Frank McGuire. Coach McGuire is one of the winningest coaches in NCAA history as he led successful programs from 1947 through 1980. He was the first coach to take two different teams to the NCAA finals (St. John's and North Carolina) and the 2nd to take 3 teams to the NCAA tournament (South Carolina). He also led UNC to the 1957 NCAA title in the great triple-overtime win versus the Wilt Chamberlain-led Kansas Jayhawks. General … [Read more...]
Box Up Diagonal Play
From the box set, this out of bounds play gives the inbounds passer options of passing to each teammate. The main goal, however, is a screen-the-screener action to create a layup. When the official hands the basketball to O1, O5 sets an upscreen for O2 who cuts out to the weakside corner. O4 steps into the lane to set a diagonal screen for O5. O5 uses the screen and dives toward the ballside low block. O4 rolls off his screen to weakside low block area. O3 pops out to the ballside … [Read more...]