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...]
Inside 2-on-2 Rebounding Drill
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...]
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...]
Dribble, Stop and Jump Shot Drill
Purpose: To work on shooting the jump shot off the dribble. Develop the skill of executing the pull-up as a help defender is closing in. Drill: O1 begins by dribbling toward the free throw line. X1 cuts over to a good defensive position between O1 and the basket, forcing the pull-up shot. O1 stops and shoots the jump shot. X2 retrieves the rebound, passing out to O2 and the drill continues. Lines rotate clockwise. … [Read more...]
Conditioning Free Throw Drill
This is a good free throw drill to utilize when you are stressing conditioning, particularly in the preseason or early season. Divide the team as desired at the available baskets in your gym. The rules are simple and as follows: Each time a players steps to the line, he will shoot a one-and-one (or bonus) situation. If he misses the first attempt, he runs 2 laps around the gym, sprinting the sidelines and jogging the baseline. Because he missed the front end of the one-and-one, he does not get … [Read more...]
Mismatch Rebounding Drill
Purpose: To work on defensive rebounding in a competitive setting made even more challenging because the defenders are at a disadvantage. Drill: This rebounding drill is a mismatch drill where the two defenders attempt to out rebound the three offensive players. A coach or manager will shoot the basketball while the defensive players try to gain the rebound and outlet the ball to the coach. The offensive players also try to secure the rebound. If the offense gets the rebound, they attempt to … [Read more...]