Purpose: To develop the foundation of your transition offense by practicing the outlet pass and full court finish. Also a useful conditioning drill. Drill: Two players and two coaches or managers are needed for this drill. The players start as shown (O1 by the backboard with the ball and O2 in the outlet area on the wing). A coach or manager stands on each side of the court at about the midcourt line. O1 begins by tossing the ball off the backboard, grabbing the rebound, then making an outlet … [Read more...]
Defensive Knock-Away Drill
Purpose: To develop anticipation and quick hands and feet in the defensive player. Drill: The offensive players will drive in for a layup attempt. You can have players at several baskets if available, or have lines on both sides as shown in the diagram and take turns with each line. The defensive player will step-slide to cut off the baseline drive. The defender will use his inside hand to knock the basketball away. Here, footwork is important to get to the spot. The offensive player … [Read more...]
4 Passes Drill
Purpose: To improve passing, communicating, and conditioning. Drill: Players form three lines; one at a baseline and two lines at about the free throw line extended on the same side of the court. The 4 Passes Drill is performed as follows: O1 tosses ball off backboard, rebounds it, throws an outlet pass to O2, then sprints down the lane line to the opposite basket. O2 turns and throws a baseball pass to O3. O3 throws a bounce pass to O1, who is sprinting from the other end. After making … [Read more...]
Big Man Out Sideline Inbounds Play
The idea behind this 'Big Man Out' sideline inbounds play is to draw the opponent's big man out on the floor where he is not used to playing defense. Therefore, this play should be run against a man-to-man defense that is applying pressure. If you call this play and the bigs don't come out to pressure, just continue with O2 screening for O1, get the ball inbounds and proceed into your half-court offense. Ideally, the player taking the ball out of bounds is the one whose defender is the least … [Read more...]
Post Kick-Out Drill
Purpose: To work on passing out of the post when double teamed. The perimeter player works on passing and relocating while the post player works on executing a timely and accurate kick-out pass. Drill: Players work in groups of 4 (2 offense, 2 defense). One of the offensive players is on the wing and the other is in the low post. Each is guarded by a defender. The drill begins with the perimeter player passing into the post. After making the pass, he should slide down and spot up behind the … [Read more...]
Short and Long Passing Drill
Purpose: To work on short passes and long passes in a game speed setting. Also develops concentration and focus. Drill: Form two lines on the baseline at the lane lines as shown. Each player in one line has a basketball. The first two players begin by passing the ball back and forth without dribbling or traveling. When they reach the opposite baseline, they come back on the outside, making longer passes. Once a group of two passes the free throw line, the next group begins. Concentration and … [Read more...]
Pivot and Score Drill
Purpose: To work on moving into the pass, pivoting away from the defense on the reception, making a move and scoring. Drill: Three lines, or three players, as shown in the diagram. O1 line is the passer, O2 is the receiver, and X is the defender. O2 moves in the direction of the pass from O1. As he receives the ball, he stops and pivots away from the defender (X) who has moved into position from the side. After the pivot, O2 makes a move and dribbles in quickly for a layup or pull-up … [Read more...]
10 Spot Post Shot Drill
Purpose: To improve a post player's jump shooting ability by working on game shots from game spots (also great for young players). The focus of this drill is to concentrate on form and technique rather than speed. Drill: The player begins at spot 'A' as shown in the diagram. The player will shoot 10 consecutive shots from spot 'A'. On a made basket, retrieve the ball and continue from spot 'A'. On a missed shot, he must grab the rebound and finish with a score before going back to spot … [Read more...]
Cross Formation Guard Around Jump Ball Play
This 'cross formation' jump ball set is preferable when the tap is not assured and when a defensive jump ball is necessary. Essentially, if you think you may not gain possession on the tip, you set up in the the cross formation. This guard around play, however, is effective if you do gain the tip. When the official tosses the ball up, O5 attempts to tap it to O2. O2 then hands the ball to O3 as O2 goes past and toward the basket. O1 goes right and O5 trails middle. O4 becomes the safety … [Read more...]
Rapid-Fire Solo Passing Drill
Purpose: To develop the chest pass, overhead pass, and baseball pass. Also develops and improves hand/eye coordination, wrist and arm strength, quickness in passing, and catching hard passes. Drill: The drill begins with the player standing about 2 feet away from a wall or toss-back machine. The player throws a hard chest pass against the wall and continues throwing it against the wall in a rapid-fire manner. While continuing to pass the ball, he should gradually back up until he's about 10 … [Read more...]