Purpose: To develop and improve dribbling skills while under extreme pressure. Drill: Divide players into groups of three (preferably by position and ability). You can use both ends of the court. O1 will start with a basketball at the baseline and under the basket. His objective is to dribble past the halfcourt line. X1 and X2 start at the free throw line from a sitting position. Neither defender may get up until O1 starts dribbling. The two defenders will attempt to prevent O1 from getting … [Read more...]
High Stack Cut Option
The High Stack Cut Option is a sideline out of bounds play designed to get the ball to your shooter for a 3-point shot. This play can be useful in last second situations or when you simply want a 3-point attempt. It is only effective against a man-to-man defense. To run this sideline play, O4 and O5 set up above the free throw line extended and near the three-point line. O2 and O1 are stacked about midway between the top of the key and the halfcourt line. The shooter, in this diagram O2, … [Read more...]
Misdirection for 3
Utilize this misdirection play when you need a 3-pointer for a last second shot. Also a good quick hitter to open up your point guard for an open shot attempt. This play starts as O1 dribbles toward O2 on the wing. O1 and O2 execute a dribble handoff. As O2 receives the handoff, he continues to the left for a dribble or two. O5, who is hanging around between the three-point line and lane now sets a flare screen for O1. At the same time, O3 cuts hard to the basket and then pops back out by … [Read more...]
Under the Basket Competitive Shooting Drill
Purpose: To practice shooting and scoring from under the basket in a competitive drill situation. Drill: At least 4 players and 1 basketball at a basket. Players form two lines, one on each side of the rim. O1 starts with the basketball, shoots the short jump shot and runs to the end of the opposite line. O2 jumps up, grabs the rebound (make or miss), shoots it back up and runs to the end of the opposite line. This continues with O3, O4, etc. Perform drill for one minute. To make drill … [Read more...]
Transition Dribble Drive Drill
Purpose: To develop ballhandling skills and change of direction moves when dribbling, specifically in a transition situation. Drill: Form two lines of players at midcourt as shown in the diagram. At least the first 2 players in each line should have a basketball. (This drill can also be performed during an individual workout). O1 starts by dribbling to the first cone and executing a dribble move. He continues to the second cone and executes another dribble move and then drives in for a layup … [Read more...]
Power Up Rebounding Drill
Purpose: To work on rebounding in traffic and taking the basketball up strong against pressure. The offensive player will have to use fundamental moves to score and the defensive player works on giving intense inside pressure. Drill: Two players and one basketball per basket. O1 has the ball and stands near the low block on either side of the rim. X2 stands out of bounds on the same side as the offensive player (in this diagram, both players are on the right side). O1 starts by tossing the … [Read more...]
Pass and Screen the Ball Drill
Purpose: To teach how to follow your pass and set an on-ball screen. To learn to use an on-ball screen to create a shot opportunity. Drill: Form 2 lines anywhere on the court. The diagram shows one line at the top and the other line on the wing. If you want this offensive action incorporated into your offense, place the lines where your players will be. Players in line 1 have a basketball. The first player in line passes to the first player in line 2 and sets a screen for him. O2 fakes to … [Read more...]
Wings Free Zone Play
Wings Free is a simple zone offense quick hitter designed to open up space for one of the wing players. This particular set play is most effective against a 2-3 zone. The players set up as shown. As O1 dribbles into the frontcourt, O5 is at the free throw line (or flashes there). O1 makes a solid pass fake to O5 so the defenders will collapse on him. O1 then makes a pass fake to O3 to get the defenders to shift yet again. Then O1 makes the pass to O2 who may have a shot or space to create by … [Read more...]
Double the Rebounder Toughness Drill
Purpose: To develop toughness and to prepare players against double-teaming and pressure situations. Drill: Two defenders (X4, x5) start just outside the lane. A third defender (x1), starts at the top. O3 starts at about the free throw line while O1 starts at the top of the key. A coach has the basketball. When the coach shoots the basketball, O3 goes in after the rebound. X4 and x5 allow O3 to secure the rebound and then immediately harass and doubleteam him. As O3 secures the rebound, O1 … [Read more...]
1-on-1 Press Drill
Purpose: To teach fullcourt defensive tactics and improve conditioning. Also useful for the offensive player to work on dribbling in the full court. Drill: Two players of approximately speed start on the free throw line. The coach begins the drill by tossing the basketball off the backboard. Both players go after the ball once it leaves the coaches hand. The player who gains possession becomes the offensive dribbler and the other player becomes the defender. The dribbler will attempt to go … [Read more...]