Purpose: To develop rebounding skills in a competitive environment. Offensive players will also work on finishing after getting a rebound and defensive players work on outlet passing after rebounding. Drill: Two offensive players line up outside the lane with two defensive players ready to block them out. A coach or manager tosses the basketball off the glass or rim and the players go after the ball. The defenders (X1) are attempting to box out properly and the offensive players (O1) are … [Read more...]
Big Man Slash Play
This basketball play from the box set formation creates a chance for a lob or a perimeter shot. Should those actions not create a shot opportunity, the slash action is added to get a big diving to the low post. The point guard, O1, dribbles to the wing while O2 cuts across the baseline using O3 as a screen. Once O2 clears past O3, O5 sets a diagonal screen away for O4 who cuts down to screen for O3 coming up the lane. O1 has the option to throw the lob pass to O5 who has split the X4 and X5 … [Read more...]
Dribble Exchange Drill
Purpose: To teach players the dribble exchange ... the offensive skill of handing the ball off to a teammate from a dribble. Drill: Two lines near midcourt, basketball in one line. O1 dribbles to the top of the key. O2 fakes to the wing and then cuts behind O1, receiving the ball and then dribbling in for a layup. … [Read more...]
4 Low Strong Dives Play
From a 4-across inbounds formation, this play creates great scoring chances by opening up space for a player to dive hard to the basket, a cut off of a screen, and a pop out for a deep jumper. O1 inbounds the basketball and the other four players set up in a flat formation on the baseline. When the official hands the ball to O1, O4 steps toward the basket to receive the ball from O1 and then cuts out beyond the three-point line. O2 makes the same cut on the other side of the lane. O1 passes … [Read more...]
5 in 65 Drill
Purpose: To improve overall conditioning, speed, and sprint-endurance. Drill: The players start along the baseline. If there are a lot of players, use 2 groups. Have a coach or manager with a stopwatch timing this drill. On 'Go', the players sprint as fast as they can to the opposite baseline and back five times. The entire team should finish in under :65 seconds. Most high school players can do this in less than :65 seconds. Adjust accordingly if you have younger players or older … [Read more...]
3-2-1 Shooting Drill
Purpose: To improve shooting technique and confidence through a competitive shooting drill. The competition and pressure will help the shooter become more poised and confident. Drill: This is a 2-person shooting drill with one player shooting and the other contesting the shot (without touching ball or shooter). The shooter takes three consecutive shots: a 3-pointer, a 2-pointer from anywhere outside the lane, a 1-pointer from anywhere inside the lane. The shooter can use any move to get open … [Read more...]
Power Layup Drill
Purpose: To develop the drop step, pump fake, and power layup. Drill: 2 basketballs and 2 players per basket. Place a basketball on each block. O1 begins by stepping to the ball and picking it up off the ground. Upon grabbing the ball, he performs a drop step, two pump fakes, and then shoots a power layup. O2 grabs the rebound and places the ball on the vacated block. After shooting, O1 moves to the other block, picks up the ball, drop steps, pump fakes twice, and shoots a power … [Read more...]
12-Second Post Passing Drill
Purpose: Develop post passing skills and teach patience with the basketball. Drill: When a player receives the basketball, he has a total of 12 seconds until he must get rid of it. He has 4 seconds once he catches the ball, 4 seconds to dribble the ball, and 4 more seconds after he picks up his dribble. This drill teaches the 4-4-4 concept in closely guarded situations. The drill starts with a player receiving a pass on the wing. (The defense allows the pass to be caught and then plays tight … [Read more...]
Get Ups
Purpose: To improve acceleration by putting the athlete in a learning environment which integrates posture, leg action, and arm action in a fun and competitive way. Drill: The athlete begins in a prone position, face down, head at the starting line. (Essentially, in a down push-up position). On the word 'Go' or a whistle, accelerate for a distance of 6-10 yards. (If doing this on a basketball court, I will have the athlete's go from baseline to midcourt line. Sometimes another court marking … [Read more...]
When to Take a Time Out
Taking a time out is often a strategic part of the game. Sometimes they seem to help and sometimes they do not. How do we as coaches know when to call for a time out? When is the right time? Why take one at all? Below are 5 times when taking a time out may be necessary and essential to winning a game. Take a time out... When you need to counter an unexpected strategy used by your opponent. One example might be when a team employs a junk defense such as a box-and-one against your offense. … [Read more...]