Purpose: To develop footwork, agility, balance, speed and overall conditioning. Drill: Players will form two lines under the basket and perform the following movements, spelling out any letter chosen (in this diagram, I have used the letter 'M'): Defensive slide to the corner. Sprint to half court. Slide to the 3-point line. Sprint to half court. Backpedal to the baseline. Rotate lines after completing each circuit. Continue for desired number of repetitions. Note: You can utilize any … [Read more...]
Bad Pass Drill
Purpose: To build confidence, reaction, hand-eye coordination, and improve bad hands. Passes into the lane rarely go uncontested and the 'Bad Pass Drill' helps the players learn to catch a bad pass and turn it into a basket or free throw opportunity. Drill: O2 starts on the low block. O1 (or a coach or manager) stands at the top of the key with a basketball. O2 flashes into the lane to begin the drill. O1 throws a bad pass (but catchable) to O2. O2 catches the ball and passes it back to … [Read more...]
Dribble Drive In Out Options Play
The Dribble Drive In Out Options play gives the point guard a couple of passing options, as well as allowing him his own option to drive or shoot. A simple play to install and execute, yet often difficult to completely defend. The play begins with O1 passing to O3 on the wing. O3 looks into O5, who is posting up on the low block. If O5 is covered, O3 reverses the ball back to O1. O1 then dribbles hard to the opposite elbow area. As O1 begins dribbling, O2 spreads the defense by sliding down to … [Read more...]
3 Lane Full
3 Lane Full is a play that can be run when you have about 5-10 seconds left in the game and you are inbounding the ball from under the opposite basket. It should also be run against a team that is giving man-to-man pressure, even if light pressure. You also need to have a quick point guard that can handle the ball and make good, quick decisions. Players line up as shown, with three players filling each lane and one player all the way under the basket. When the official hands the ball to O4, O1 … [Read more...]
Triangle Screen the Screener Play
This is a baseline out of bounds play that can be run against either man or zone defenses. Three players line up in a triangle formation -- O4 and O5 on the low blocks and O3 at the free throw line. The fourth player, O2, starts about two steps from the top of the key. The fifth man, O1, is inbounding the basketball. When the official hands the ball to O1, O5 screens for O3. O3 should set his defender up by taking a hard step away and then using the screen and cutting hard to the ballside … [Read more...]
Diagonal Downscreen Drill
Purpose: To teach proper offensive downscreen techniques. Can also be drilled for defensive teaching purposes as it is useful in helping your players learn to defend and fight through the downscreen. Drill: Two offensive players, two defensive players, and one coach or passer needed for this drill. O1 starts near the top of the key with a basketball while the O2 starts on the opposite low block. A defender guards each offensive player. The coach is on the wing. Offensive Concepts: O1 … [Read more...]
Sideline Misdirection Play
This misdirection play is a sideline out of bounds play designed to produce a jump shot from the short corner and it can be run against either man or zone defenses. It can also be run at end of half or end of game situations but you will need at least :05 seconds on the clock. The players are set up in a box formation with the guards, O2 and O3 positioned out on the floor. O4 and O5 set up on opposite low blocks. The inbounder, O1, should be a good passer as well as being comfortable handling … [Read more...]
3-Man Figure Eight Rebounding Drill
Purpose: To work on quickness in rebounding. This drill focuses on foot and hand quickness, having a soft touch, and overall conditioning. Drill: Three players position themselves across the lane. O1 is in the lane just to the right of the basket with the basketball. O2 and O3 are on each side of the lane at the blocks. The drill begins with O1 tossing the ball off the backboard and over the basket twoard O3's side. O1 moves quickly to replace O3. O3 reacts to rebound and tip the ball off … [Read more...]
Two Screen, Two Pass Fullcourt Play
This play is designed for an end-of-game situation when there is no time for dribbling but only time for two quick passes and a shot. The players begin in a box formation as shown. Generally, O4 will be your best long passer and O2 will be your best shooter. O4 and O5 begin at midcourt facing the inbounder, O3, and wide of the center circle. O2 and O1 stand at least 10 feet in front of O4 and O5, also facing O3. When the official hands the ball to O3, O2 and O1 step toward O3 as if they are … [Read more...]
3-on-2 with Trailer Drill
Purpose: To prepare the defenders when transitioning back on defense in a disadvantage situation. The emphasis of this drill is for defense, but offensive players will get to work on the transition offense part of the game as well. Drill: Six players are needed for this drill, along with a coach or manager at the baseline. 3 defensive players are positioned along the free throw line extended with their backs to the coach at the baseline. 3 offensive players are positioned in front of the … [Read more...]