Purpose: To teach players to move the basketball downcourt quickly, looking for a scoring opportunity from the secondary break. This drill can also be used as a sort of transition or secondary break offense quick hitter by having the players specifically looking to run this set. Drill: Have three lines as shown in the diagram - a line at O1, O2 and O3. The players waiting in line should be off the court. The drill/play starts with O1 dribbling to midcourt and passing ahead to O2. O2 will … [Read more...]
Zipper Pick and Roll Play
This play from the Zipper set utilizes a pick and roll to create an easy scoring opportunity. This particular zipper pick and roll play can be run to either side. For the purpose of our description, it is being run to the right side. O1 dribbles over to the right wing as O3 sets the down screen for O3. O3 makes the zipper cut to the top and receives the pass from O1. As O3 receives the pass, O5 moves toward the top to initiate the pick and roll. Also at the same time, O2 clears from … [Read more...]
3 V-Formation Inbounds Plays
The V-Formation is advantageous in that it spreads the defense and creates open cutting and passing lanes. Option 1: Doublecross O1 and O2 cross and cut to opposite corners / short corners. O2 goes first. O3 and O4 cross and cut down opposite sides of the lane. O4 cuts first. O3 should be open but O5 can make the pass to whoever is open. Option 2: Double Screen O1 and O2 move shoulder to shoulder at the free throw line as O3 cuts toward the ball and receives the pass from O5. O3 must be … [Read more...]
Double Stack Offense
The double-stack offense is not some type of continuity (though you can certainly reset at any point) ... it's usefulness is in creating quick and open shot opportunities. If the initial action does not result in a shot attempt, simply progress into your offensive system. The first diagram below illustrates how the double-stack offense starts in the middle, rather than out on the perimeter. After the initial movements from the double-stack set, space is created to spread the defense. This … [Read more...]
Elbow Pass & Go Behind Drill
Purpose: To help the perimeter player learn to react when his defender slides below the high post player expecting the guard to cut all the way to the basket. Drill: O1 on the wing with the basketball; O2 on the weakside low block. If you need several players per basket, have a line at each spot. O2 flashes to the ballside elbow and receives the pass from O1. O1 takes a couple of steps toward the basket to set up his defender and then cuts behind O2 who passes the ball back and provides a … [Read more...]
Racer Zone Play
This zone offense set play, which will work best against a 1-3-1 zone defense, incorporates a quick ball reversal and down screen to get an open perimeter shot opportunity. From a 2-3 high offensive set, O2 passes to O4 on the wing, cuts to the basket and comes around a screen by O3 on the weak side. O5 steps out, receives the pass from O4 and quickly reverses it to O1, who passes to O2 for a wing / baseline shot. O3 should time the screen by not setting it too quickly. He will also be … [Read more...]
Dribble Screen Handoff Drill
Purpose: To teach the skill of executing a dribble handoff within your offensive system. To help players develop scoring ability in a two-man game. Drill: Form two lines as shown. O1 has the basketball. O1 dribbles low with the outside hand (right hand) toward O2's defender. When O1 gets about 5 feet from the defender, O2 fakes to his right by taking a hard step or two and then cuts by O1 for the handoff. O2 dribbles in for a layup. After the layup, the next group of two performs the drill. … [Read more...]
Defensive Cutthroat
Purpose: To teach players either 3-on-3 or 4-on-4 defensive skills in a gamelike situation. The focus is on halfcourt defense and, more specifically, the defensive philosophy you want your players to abide by. Drill: This drill can be performed either 3-on-3 or 4-on-4. This will depend on your preference and the number of players you have available on your team. 4 offensive players line up outside the three-point line. 4 defensive players line up along the baseline. The additional team … [Read more...]
Sprint Recovery Drill
Purpose: To help players understand the importance of never playing defense from behind the ball, especially when in a full court pressure situation. Players must work at not only stopping the dribble but staying with their assignment the entire play. Drill: Two players start in the corner; O1 has a basketball, X1 is on defense. A third player, O2, starts near the midcourt line. O1 starts the drill by dribbling up the sideline. X1 must get ahead and cut him off. When O1 is cut off, he … [Read more...]
Closeout and Contest Dribble Drive Drill
Purpose: To work on closeouts, stopping the dribble-drive, and overall 1-on-1 defense. The offensive player gets to work on scoring off of a dribble move. Drill: Utilize baskets and groups or have all players at one basket. The players will be under the basket but off the court. The first player in line is on the baseline with a basketball. An offensive player starts at the free throw line. To begin, the first player in line rolls the basketball to the offensive player (in diagram, X1 to … [Read more...]