Purpose: To teach transition basketball while in a half court situation. Both the defense and offense need to react quickly to a change of possession. Drill: 5 players on offense, 5 players on defense. Coach or manager at top with the basketball. The offense will run any offense without the ball while the coach can: 1-shoot to test rebounding 2-give to offense and let them run with ball 3-throw it out for a loose ball 4-hit a player in the back if they aren't looking = turnover 5-Run … [Read more...]
Diamond Press Zone Defense
Diamond 3: Full Court Rules for Top or Point Person - X1 Number one priority - no penetration down the middle. Keep pressure on the ball at all times. (Note: Even though the pickup point of the defense might call for the Top or Point to pick up at the free throw line, the Top or Point is allowed a great deal of leeway in picking the ball up early. Remember: we want pressure on the ball even if the Point's position has to be somewhat extended. Push the ball out of the … [Read more...]
High-Low Post Play
The high-low post play is designed to get a quick high or low post scoring opportunity for the post players. 1) The set begins with 4 and 5 in a tight stack at the free throw line. 2 and 3 are stacked outside the three-point line on the left wing. (This play could also be run to either side, and any player can be in any position -- but we are generally trying to get a post score with this play.) 2) The point guard, 1, dribbles to the right wing to set the play in motion. 4 … [Read more...]
Defensive Harness
I have a basketball coaching book from 1964 by Wayne Dobbs and Garland Pinholster titled 'Basketball's Stunting Defenses'. I haven't read the book from cover to cover yet, but here is one thing from the book that stood out ... the Defensive Harness. “The harness is not produced on a commercial basis, but can be easily made. One dog collar is placed around the neck. This collar consists of a single piece of leather about one inch wide. Two more dog collars are worn on each foot. These are … [Read more...]
The Mentally Tough Basketball Shooting Workout
Become a dominant scoring machine with The Mentally Tough Shooting Workout. You will not only improve your shooting -- you will improve your toughness and ability to shoot when the pressure is on! Comb-Bound Paperback: $19.95 Downloadable eBook: $15.95 Both versions also available at the Hoops U. Basketball Store Description of The Mentally Tough Shooting Workout The Mentally Tough Shooting Workout: Become a Dominant Scorer is exactly what the title says it is -- a … [Read more...]
Holding the Rope
I recently read the book 'Called to Coach' by Bobby Bowden. Here’s a story from the book to add to your stack of motivational stuff: What did our 1993 national championship team and 1999 national championship team do that was in common? They held the rope! What does holding the rope mean? You are hanging from the edge of a cliff five hundred yards in the air. The only thing between you and falling to the ground is a piece of rope with the person of your choice … [Read more...]
Half Court Trap Attack Zone Offense
This half court press attack zone offense works great against those half court zone traps you will see from time to time, especially the 1-3-1 half court trap. It is a simple offense to run with a few options for attacking the trapping defense. 1) Option 1: O1 brings the ball up court and O2 stays even with O1. Prior to crossing the half court line, O1 passes to O2. (Remember, this is against a trap defense that is wanting to trap in the corners immediately once you cross the line.) After … [Read more...]
Have Confidence & Think the Game
I just added a quote from former NBA great, Bob Pettit, to the Basketball Quotations section and I wanted to share it here as well. Bob Pettit is an NBA Hall of Famer, 11-time all star, and the NBA's first MVP award winner. Pettit played for the Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks from 1954-1965 "When you go out on the court whether it be for the championship or just a scrimmage, have confidence that your abilities and what you’ve learned in your drills are better than your opponent’s. This does … [Read more...]
3 on 3 Full Court Drill
Purpose: To develop transition defense skills in a 3 on 3 situation. This drill also allows the offensive players to work on offensive transition. Drill 1: 3 on 3 Full Court Drill starts with the offense taking the ball out of bounds. The defense will pick up full court and pressure the entire time. The defense must be controlled and try to stop the score. When there is a score, rebound, or turnover, the drill is done and a new group will come onto the court. Drill 2: 3 on 3 Full Court Up … [Read more...]
The Guy in the Glass
When you get what you want in your struggle for pelf, And the world makes you king for a day, Then go to the mirror and look at yourself, And see what that guy has to say. For it isn't your Father, or Mother, or Wife, Who judgment upon you must pass. The feller whose verdict counts most in your life Is the guy staring back from the glass. He's the feller to please, never mind all the rest, For he's with you clear up to the end, And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult … [Read more...]