Purpose: To develop shooting skills while under pressure from a close-out defender. Works on focus and concentration through the shooting motion. Drill: 2 players with 1 basketball. Shooter begins at a spot on the perimeter and passer begins under the basket with the basketball. The player with the ball begins by passing and closing out to his partner. As he runs by, he should tap the shooter in the stomach to force him to shoot with a higher level of concentration. After the shot, switch … [Read more...]
Free the Post Play
This set play is designed to free your post player in the low post. The use of a backscreen gets him open so he can create his own scoring chance from the low post area. To set up, your best low post player begins at the free throw line (in this diagram, it's player 4). 1 has the ball at the top, 3 begins on the low post while 2 and 5 stand on the weakside ready to react as needed and 5 ready to crash the boards for an offensive rebound. The play begins with 1 dribbling to the wing on 3's … [Read more...]
How to Frustrate Your Opponent
It is probably a foregone conclusion that in at least several games you have coached, you have reached the point of frustration because of something your opponent did during the game. Certainly we have been frustrated by our own players when they've had a bad shooting night, played with no intensity, and/or made too many mental mistakes. The frustration I'm talking about here, however, is a tactical move made by the opposing coach that wreaks havoc on your team's ability to perform and your … [Read more...]
The Getaway Free Throw Fast Break Offense
The Getaway Free Throw Fast Break is a controlled transition offense that is initiated after either a missed or a made free throw. As you can see in the diagram, three players will line up to rebound the opponent free throws. You may, however, choose to put four players in the lane to give yourself a better chance to secure the rebound. It's up to you (and up to how well your opponent chooses to crash the boards on the free throw!) Either way, the overall action is going to be the same except … [Read more...]
Three Stops 4-on-4
Purpose: To work on overall team defense and develop the teamwork and communication skills necessary to play great team defense. The competitive situation also helps to develop defensive toughness. Drill: The Three Stops 4-on-4 Team Defense Drill is competitive in that requires the defense to have three consecutive successful stops. Divide your squad into teams of 4. Extra players can be placed on teams and they will simply need to rotate in and out. As shown in the diagram, Team 1 is on … [Read more...]
High Box Double Clear Play
This out of bounds play sets up in the same type of box formation you have probably used many times. The difference is that it is set up higher so that the players closest to the basket are free throw line high at the elbows. The two 'top' players are now about 5-8 feet outside the three-point line. When the official hands the basketball to 5, 1 and 3 clear from the ballside to the weakside. 3 cuts close enough to use 4 as a screen to potentially lose his man. 3 is the first option for 5. 1 … [Read more...]
Survival Rebounding Drill
Purpose: To teach aggressiveness along with rebounding, inside scoring, and inside defensive skills. Drill: At each available basket, have groups of 4 to 6 players. 3 players are in the drill at one time. More players can be at each basket if necessary, but you should have at least 4 per basket. A coach or manager is also needed at each basket to shoot (and miss) the basketball and to be a passing outlet for the rebounder. The rules for 'Survival Rebounding' are as follows: The drill/game … [Read more...]
Down Screen the Cross Screener
This quick hitter, utilizing a screen-the-screener action, is designed to get an open shot at the free throw line / top of key area for one of your better shooters. The offensive players begin as shown in the diagram. 1 dribbles to the side of 2 where the wing area is open. (This play can also easily be run to both sides ... simply dribble opposite of the wing player). As 1 starts dribbling right, 2 sets a cross screen for 5 while 4 simultaneously comes down the lane to set a down screen for … [Read more...]
8 Team Defense Techniques and Points of Emphasis
Utilize the 8 team defense techniques and concepts below to help your team work together as a cohesive defensive unit. Defense does win and getting 5 defenders to play together can make your team dominant on the defensive end of the basketball court. Follow these concepts, but also emphasize them to your players. Get Better Playing defense is not a sometime thing. Effort and execution is required by everyone ... one mistake and the team defense can fall apart, allowing the offense to score. … [Read more...]
Progressive Transition Drill
Purpose: To work on transition offense and defense in a progressive manner. The Progressive Transition Drill works on all the various situations a team will face in a game; 1-on-0, 2-on-1, 3-on-2, 4-on-3, and 5-on-4. Develops conditioning and decision-making in a competitive, game-like situation. Drill: In this diagram, 'W' = white jersey and 'D' = dark jersey. If your players wear reversible jerseys, then 4 players will be in darks and 5 players will be in whites. This full court drill sets … [Read more...]