Purpose: To develop defensive rebounding blockout techniques. Also develops intensity and toughness. Drill: Form two lines with one at the free throw line extended at the sideline. The other line at the midcourt line. The sideline is the defensive blocker and the middle is the offensive rebounder. The basketball is placed on the floor in the free throw circle. On whistle or signal from coach, one player from each line goes for the ball. The defensive blocker must make contact and hold contact … [Read more...]
Cycles
Purpose: To teach and develop transition offense in a game-like situation. The focus and emphasis for this drill is on the offense but it will also work on transition defense and is a fabulous drill to build game-type conditioning. Drill: This drill requires 10 players (5 on offense, 5 on defense). Two defenders (X4, X5) wait out of bounds on the opposite baseline, while three defenders (X1, X2, X3) wait out of bounds on the starting side of the court. The five offensive players begin on this … [Read more...]
Lion Fast Break Drill
Purpose: To teach players the fundamentals of a 3-man fast break. This full court drill also incorporates passing, rebounding, outlet passing, throwing a baseball pass, and conditioning. Drill: Form three lines along a baseline with the basketball in the hands of a wing player. As the three players proceed upcourt, the wing passes to the middle player who passes to the opposite wing. The middle player receives a return pass, dribbles to the foul line and performs a jump stop. Middle player can … [Read more...]
Chase the Dribbler Drill
Purpose: To teach the dribbler to protect the ball when he is pressured. Part of being a good ballhandler is having the ability to control the dribble while pressured. This is evident when defenses throw double teams at you or even in end game situations where you are attempting to run out the clock. Drill: Place two lines under the basket and one line at midcourt. The first person in line at midcourt starts dribbling. As he crosses the center line, he is met by the first two players from the … [Read more...]
Worst Free Throw Shooter Drill
Purpose: To increase free throw shooting percentage by rewarding the winners. Drill: Players will divide into pairs. Use as many baskets as possible and a basketball for each pair. One partner shoots free throws against the other. Each player in each group will shoot 10 free throws (if you desire, change number shot to your preference). Ties are broken by shooting one free throw at a time. For the winners, practice is over and they can go home. The losers must stay and pair up again. The drill … [Read more...]
Jump Shot Relay
Purpose: To teach players to shoot with a focus and coolness in a competitive situation. Beyond shooting, this drill also incorporates passing and dribbling. Drill: Place 2 lines at the elbow on one end of the floor. The first player in each line has a basketball. On a signal from the coach, each player dribbles to the elbow on the other end of the floor (any spot can be used as the designated shooting spot, however). Upon reaching the shooting spot, the player should attempt to score with a … [Read more...]
Make 10 In a Row Shooting Drill
Work on shooting form, technique, and muscle memory with this simple shooting drill. Focus on 'making' the shot and develop good habits. Shoot at one spot until you make 10 in a row. Have a partner rebound and pass the basketball. The amount of total shots and spots can be adjusted as needed. Work on being active, stepping into the pass/shot, and utilizing great footwork. Develop good shooting habits with repetition. Choose to switch shooters and/or penalize yourself if you cannot make 10 in … [Read more...]
Anticipation Rebounding Drill
Purpose: This rebounding drill simulates specific defensive movement and footwork. It teaches players to anticipate when and where the basketball is going to come off the rim following a shot. It also stresses the importance of closing out on the shooter. Drill: O1 and O2 start near the baseline, as shown. O3 starts a few feet off the lane, about 10 feet from the basket. O3 makes a v-cut and receives pass from O1. O3 catches and shoots as O2 advances toward O3 to contest the shot, block … [Read more...]
60-Second Shooting Drill
Purpose: Develop speed shooting under pressure to make the shots in time from various perimeter spots. Drill: Start in corner with :60 seconds on the clock. Make three shots from each spot before moving to the next. The objective is to get from corner to corner in :60 seconds. Variations: A rebounder can be used but isn't necessary. Also, change time to :90 seconds and move the spots outside the 3-point line. For younger players, keep them in range and either drop the makes to 2 from each … [Read more...]
Fast Break after Stolen Pass Drill
Purpose: To teach the concept of quickly transitioning from defense to offense and converting a stolen pass into a cheap basket at the other end. A stolen perimeter pass is a great opportunity for a quick basket and should be capitalized upon whenever possible. Drill: Place 3 lines on one end of the floor, as shown. The first player in each line will start at about the free throw line / free throw line extended. The coach will throw the ball to any one of the 3 players, who either passes to … [Read more...]