Purpose: To practice dribbling fundamentals and skills. Can also be a good pre-practice warmup. Drill: The players will line up at position 1. You should have about 4-5 basketballs but, ideally, one per player. The first player in line begins by performing a stationary, protective dribble. He will begin dribbling forward when the coach says 'go'. Wherever a number is located on the diagram, the players will execute the following dribbles (feel free to incorporate your own dribble moves as … [Read more...]
Outlet to Break Simulation Drill
Purpose: Teach players to outlet quickly and to move the ball quickly up the floor in a fast break or break the press situation. Drill: Divide players into four groups (1-4) as shown. Group 1: Each player begins with a basketball. The drill starts with the first player in line throwing the ball off the glass, rebounding it, then throwing an outlet pass to the first person in Group 2. Group 2: Players will yell 'outlet', receive the pass, and dribble once or twice toward the center … [Read more...]
2-Man Elbow Shooting Drill
Purpose: This is a simple basketball shooting drill that is useful in practicing shots from a common crease/opening against most defenses. This drill creates repetition in shooting from the elbow area, thereby presenting familiarity within an offense to gain attempts from these spots. Drill: O1 has the ball and begins under the basket as the rebounder/passer. O2 begins at the elbow (left elbow in this diagram). O2 then moves quickly to the right elbow -- staying low with target hands ready. … [Read more...]
Full Court Speed Passing Drill
Purpose: This is a good pre-practice or warm-up drill that involves conditioning, passing/catching, conditioning, and layups. Drill: 6 players (X's) take positions on the floor as shown in the diagram. O's take position on the baseline, each with a basketball. The drill begins with O1 passing to X1 and sprinting straight down court looking for a return pass from X1. O1 then passes immediately to X2 and receives the return pass; still sprinting downcourt. O1 then passes to X3, receives the … [Read more...]
5-Man Weave to 3-on-2
Purpose: To develop teamwork and the ability to score against pressure. This is also a great focus drill that can develop mental toughness and improve on transition skills ... both offensively and defensively. Drill: Players form five lines, as shown, with the basketball in the middle line. Five players will weave to the opposite end of the court and shoot a layup. The 5-man weave is much like the oft-used 3-man weave, however, the rule here is to pass and go behind two players: O1 passes … [Read more...]
Post Player Ball Roll Head Fake Shooting Drill
Purpose: To develop the head and shoulder shot fake from in the low post. The head and shoulder is necessary and essential to getting a shot off in traffic and to possibly draw a foul. Drill: The player, with a basketball, begins at the right elbow. He starts by rolling the basketball along the lane line towards the baseline. Staying low, the player follows the basketball to the block area, picks it up, squares to the backboard, pump fakes and then shoots a power layup (dunk, if … [Read more...]
Wildcat 3 Ball Shooting Drill
Purpose: To teach the players to prepare to shoot the basketball and to shoot if off the pass or dribble. Drill: 6 players and 3 basketballs are needed. 3 players begin on the floor as shown; the remaining players from three lines under the basket, balls are at front of each line. O4, O5, and O6 will pass to O1, O2, and O3. Shooters should have target hands ready and call for the ball. Shooters will also take a 1-2 step into the pass. After receiving the pass, shoot and follow your shot. … [Read more...]
Block Out Pivot Drill
Purpose: To develop the technique of blocking out and preventing the offense from attaining a rebound. Players will learn 4 types of block outs and the footwork involved in order to keep the offensive player away from the rebound. Drill: 5 offensive players will spread out around the three-point arc with 5 corresponding defenders. When first learning this drill, there will be no shooting. This is a technique drill. Shooting can be added later (see below). On the command of "shot", all … [Read more...]
Partner Pass and Move Passing Drill
Purpose: To teach passing and catching skills while moving to get open, such as in a game situation. Drill: Players should get into pairs with a basketball and a court area of about 15-20 feet diameter (basically a 1/4 of a halfcourt area). To start the drill, the player without the ball will make a move to get open (v-cut, l-cut, etc). He will receive the pass, square up to the passer and get into a triple-threat position. The passer then becomes the receiver and makes a move to get open. … [Read more...]
Weak Hand Post Feed Passing Drill
Purpose: To develop weak-hand passing fundamentals and skill when passing to the low post. To develop proper catching techniques in the post. Drill: Passer feeds the post with the weak hand. Passer should always feed the post on the baseline side. The catcher (post player) should always receive the ball with feet parallel. Repeat for desired number of passes/catches and switch sides. Also switch passer/receiver positions. Variations: Have the players use the bounce pass, one-handed … [Read more...]