Purpose: This drill helps the offensive player work on scoring from the elbow area while being closely defended. The defensive player works on closing out effectively and defending on-ball scoring moves. Drill: O1 begins on a low block and X1 starts on the opposite low block. O1 rolls the ball out at a diagonal angle toward the opposite elbow area and runs out, picks it up, and pivots to face the basket. As O1 rolls the basketball and goes after it, X1 will go hard across the lane and plant … [Read more...]
Sprint Shooting Drill
Purpose: To practice shooting a jump shot in a fast break situation at game speed. Drill: Nine players and six basketballs are needed, though you can use less if necessary. All six passers (O) have a basketball. On 'Go', the three X's run their fast break lanes. The three passers pass to the player in their lane. The three shooters shoot, get their own rebound and then fill the three passer spots. After passing, the three passer's sprint out in their respective lanes down the court for a … [Read more...]
Screen Away Drill
Purpose: To practice the pass and screen away technique that can be used in a variety of motion offenses, sets, and formations. Drill: The screen away drill is run with three players; a guard at the top and two wings. The guard at the top has the basketball. Both wings will make a V-cut in order to get open and receive a pass. The guard passes to one of the wings and then screens away for the opposite wing. The wing cuts to the basket and the guard pops back out for a possible return pass and … [Read more...]
1-on-3 Defensive Transition Drill
Purpose: To teach the defender to guard against three offensive players in a fast break situation. This situation may not present itself very often, but it does occur. It is good to have been drilled in this situation. Drill: Four lines needed; three offensive lines at the midcourt line and one defensive line on the baseline. The ball starts in the middle offensive line and the first defender begins at about the free throw line. The middle man dribbles toward the defender as his … [Read more...]
High Pick with Screen Option
This 'High Pick' box set play is a difficult quick hitter to defend. It utilizes a pick and roll and a couple of cuts/screens to create kick-out options on the middle drive. There is also a built in option for a player to either cut or set a doublescreen. The play begins with O4 setting a screen for O1. O3 clears diagonally to the opposite corner while O1 penetrates to the middle. O2 uses a baseline screen from O5 to clear to the other side. O4 will step out or roll to the basket, depending … [Read more...]
56 Made Competitive Shooting Drill
Purpose: To have players shoot from a wide range of spots on the basketball floor in a competitive situation. Drill: Place a group of players at each basket with one basketball. Two baskets minimum. Players in each group begin at spot 1 and shoot only from spot 1 until eight shots are made. The shooter must hustle after and get his own rebound and then pass to the next shooter in line. After a group makes eight shots from one spot, they move to the next spot. This continues until the group … [Read more...]
Team Scramble Rebounding Drill
Purpose: The defensive players must work hard to keep the offensive players from getting to the basketball. Drill: A basketball is placed on the floor under the basket. Five offensive players line up around the perimeter at about the 3-point line. Five defenders stand between the offensive players and the basketball. On the word 'Go', the defenders make contact and block out the offensive players. The goal is to keep them away from the ball for 3 to 5 seconds. Coaching Points: Generally … [Read more...]
Slash High-Low
This zone offense basketball play is a special play to get a basket for a wing player slashing through the zone. When O3 passes to O1 at the top, he will cut through the zone and then come straight up to the high post/elbow area. As O1 dribbles to the left, O5 cuts to the elbow to receive the pass. An initial lob to O3 is possible but not often available. O5, now with the basketball, will then look to O3 who has pinned his man and then dives hard to the basket looking for the ball. … [Read more...]
Shrink Play
'Shrink' is a baseline out of bounds play you can run against zone defenses. This play forces the defense to collapse, thereby opening up a 3-point shot attempt. O5, O4, and O3 form a stack or line near the free throw lane. O2 spots up in the weakside corner for a pass from the inbounder, O1. When the official hands the basketball to O1, O5 and O4 cut into the open gaps near the basket at the base of the zone. O3 cuts to the open area in the middle of the zone. The cuts of O5, O4, and O3 … [Read more...]
1-3-1 Rotational Zone Offense
The 1-3-1 Rotational Zone Offense is designed to keep the offensive players moving. Teams will often do a good job of moving the ball against a zone defense, but they do a poor job of moving players. If you have ever seen your team stand around against a zone, this offense may be just what you need. This 1-3-1 offensive set with the rotational pattern will keep players moving to open up passing lanes and to overload the zone areas. The players can be placed in this offense as shown in the … [Read more...]