Purpose: To work on defensive principles when guarding the dribbler who penetrates the lane. Helps to develop footwork and man-to-man defensive skills. Drill: Two players begin as shown in the diagram. O1 has the basketball while X1 defends. For the sake of this drill, X1 starts slightly out of position so he is basically giving up the lane penetration. On 'Go', the defensive player must cut off the dribbler in the lane to force a turn or crossover. The defender must stay in the stance and … [Read more...]
Triple Post Play
Triple Post Play is a simple set play that utilizes a triple screen to open up a shooter from the foul line area. A second option is also available that can create a nice scoring opportunity from the low post. The players set up as shown in the above diagram. The point guard, O1, brings the ball down the court, passes to O2 on the wing and then moves down to form the top of the triple screen for O3. O3 sets up his defender with a v-cut and then comes off the triple screen to the foul line … [Read more...]
Three Lane Full Court Play
This last second full court play can be run when you have about :05 seconds or more left on the clock and you need to go the full length of the court. It's effective if you have a player capable of penetrating the defense and making a quick decision whether to shoot or pass. Players start as shown in the diagram. O4 should be the best passer. O1 is point guard or best penetrator. O2 and O3 are good shooters. O5 is a good rebounder and finisher at the basket. When the official hands the … [Read more...]
Line Pocket
The line play is often used when inbounding against zone defenses. This variation of the typical line play utilizes a couple of screens to create an open jump shot. Players form a line as shown, with the player nearest the ball starting at about the ballside elbow.When the official hands the basketball to O1, O3 cuts hard to the basket. O1 can certainly make the pass if O3 is open. O5 screens the closest defender on the left. O4 screens the closest defender on the right. O2 steps into … [Read more...]
Cross Screen Double Downscreen
This is a simple to execute sideline inbounds play that can be effective at any level. Well-executed screens can create wide open scoring opportunities. When the official hands the basketball to O3, O1 sets a cross screen for O2. O2 cuts off the screen to the ball side short corner/corner and looks for a catch and shoot. O4 and O5 screen the screener and set a double downscreen for O1. O1 cuts high and looks for a shot. After making the inbounds pass, O3 should quickly step inbounds for a … [Read more...]
Double High Pick and Roll Swing Low
This basketball play was executed by the Miami Heat during their series-clinching game 5 win of the 2012 NBA Finals. In the Heat version, LeBron James was able to cut to the low block and score on a layup. O4 and O5 set a double high pick-and-roll for O1. O1, instead of using either screen, swings the ball over to O2. On the pass to O2, O3 makes a backdoor cut to the low block. O2 makes the pass to O3 for the layup. Coaching Points: O4 and O5 must sell the picks and O1 must sell that he is … [Read more...]
Contain Drive and Jump to the Ball Drill
Purpose: To work on containing a dribbler and then reacting to the pass by jumping to the ball and denying the return pass on a cut to the basket. Drill: Two players needed for this drill; O1 is on offense with the basketball and X1 is on defense. Two coaches, managers, or additional players are needed with one on each wing ('C' in the diagram). O1 will start with the basketball near the midcourt line. X1 will start just below the free throw line. O1 will start dribbling and advancing with … [Read more...]
Middle Screen Zone Lob Play
Screen the middle post defender of a zone defense for a lob pass and easy scoring opportunity. O1 passes to O2 on the wing. As O2 receives the pass, O4 moves under the basket and screens the middle defender who is in front of O5. O5 makes a hard fake to the middle and then goes back to the basket. O2 makes a lob pass to O5. This play can be run to either side of the court. … [Read more...]
1 vs. 2 Rebounding Drill
Go beyond working on rebounding with this drill that also incorporates competition, toughness, and intensity. This drill requires three players; two players on defense start in the lane. One player on offense starts at the free throw line. A coach or manager has a basketball and can shoot from anywhere. When the shot is taken, O1 attempts to secure an offensive rebound. X1 and X2 block him out to secure the defensive rebound. If O1 secures the rebound, he should attempt to score against the … [Read more...]
1-4 Cross Screen
This out of bounds from a 1-4 set works especially well against teams that look to tightly guard the offensive players. The inbounds passer has 3 potential passes for scoring options, as well as the safety valve. You might find this to be a less effective scoring play if the defense sags off, thereby taking away the cuts to the basket. In a 1-4 out of bounds set, the players position themselves in a 1-4 set, as shown, while the inbounder takes that ball out from the baseline. When the … [Read more...]