Here are a few quick hitting plays initiated by the dribble and/or pick-and-roll. Designed to get an easy look at the basket, these plays can be incorporated at any level! … [Read more...]
Ball Screen Double Screen Behind
A real nice box set play here that utilizes an on-ball screen followed by a double screen behind the play. This one creates a possible layup opportunity or an open 3-point attempt. 2 cuts over 4 and 5. 1 drives off 4's on-ball screen. 1 has option to take it to rim or throw back to 2 coming off the double screen behind. … [Read more...]
Full Court Pass and Catch Drill
Purpose: To teach passing, catching, dribbling, and shooting in a full court, fast break type of situation. Drill: The team should have four players on the court as shown with O1-O4. Half of the remaining players will be under one basket and the other half will be under the other basket. Two balls required for this drill. The first player in each line on the baseline starts by passing the player on his side of the court. The passer will then sprint up the court between the receiver … [Read more...]
Elbow to Elbow Shooting Drill
Purpose: A shooting drill to teach moving quickly, getting into the shot motion quickly, and squaring up to the basket. Players will also work on making good passes and hustling. Drill: 3 players and 2 basketballs per basket. A rebounder is under the basket with a ball. A shooter starts on the elbow. A passer is on the opposite wing of the shooter with a basketball. On 'Go', the shooter sprints quickly across the lane to the opposite elbow. He will receive the pass from 'P' (passer), … [Read more...]
1-on-1 Backdoor Flash Dive Defense Drill
Purpose: To help teach the off-ball defender the responsibilities when applying pressure defense. Drill: A coach or manager or another player will start at the top with a basketball. The offensive player and his defender are on the wing as shown. Because the focus is on applying pressure defense, the defender should denying the pass. When the player with the ball signals, O1 will cut backdoor and through the lane. X1, again overplaying the pass, will pivot through the lane to deny the … [Read more...]
Zipper Top Dribble Drive
Use this zipper action to give a player a quick dribble drive from the top. Potential multiple kick-out pass options will also present themselves. If you like running these plays, check out our other Zipper Set Plays ... for both members and non-members of Hoops U! O1 dribbles to the wing as O2 zipper cuts to the top off the screen from O5. As O2 zipper cuts, O4 is clearing to the ballside corner. O1 passes to O2, who looks to drive right off the catch and looks to score. O3 … [Read more...]
Four Corner Passing Drill
Purpose: To practice and shooting. Also a good pre-practice and/or pre-game warm-up drill. Drill: The drill begins with four lines in the corners of the half court. Lines should have equal number of players. The ball starts in O1's position. O1 passes to O2 with a chest pass. O2 passes to O3 with a bounce pass. O3 passes to O4 with a skip pass, and O4 passes to O1 with a short bounce pass or a flip pass. After O1 makes the pass, he steps towards the middle and then cuts hard, timing his … [Read more...]
Tom Crean Cut Series
The Tom Crean Cut Series is a drill that that comes to us via his "Individual Improvement Drills" video. The drill is shown below in diagrams along with a video clip below the diagrams. We are now watching this video in the Hoops U. Members Area and you can watch the entire video in our Film Room. Purpose: To work on the skill of getting open to receive a pass but then having the ability to make a scoring move once pass is received. Drill: One offensive and one defensive player on the … [Read more...]
3 Tips On How To Condition for Basketball
Getting physically and mentally ready for the upcoming season is one of the major pillars for success. We've all seen teams that are not properly conditioned wear out during the latter stages of the game and get run off the court. The truth is that today's basketball is a game of movement, transition, and driving to the bucket for layups or kick-out three point opportunities. This style of basketball requires that your team is conditioned well and can get up and down the court without … [Read more...]
Pat Summitt Moving Without Basketball Drills
With the recent passing of Coach Pat Summitt, we wanted to do what we can do here at Hoops U ... and what we can do is share the legacy of one of the greatest basketball coaches of all time. Below, you will find 2 drills from Coach Summitt. Also, be sure to check out her 'Definite Dozen' from our Motivating Stories section. For members of The Hoops U. Basketball Coaching Academy, you can watch Coach Summitt's video, "Building a Championship Defense" in our Basketball Coaching … [Read more...]