Purpose: To develop the ability to offensive rebound and have a strong putback to finish with a score. Drill: Players will form groups of 3 and go to a basket (each group will also need a basketball). O1 will toss or shoot the ball off the rim or backboard (the intent is to miss the shot). O2 will step to the hoop, jump up to secure the rebound, come down, and then power back up for the score. As O2 comes down, O3 will attempt to strip the ball from O2. Repeat for a predetermined number of … [Read more...]
3-on-2 Full Court Chaser Drill
Purpose: To work on a fast break situation and develop the decision making abilities of the point guard (or whoever is leading the break). Also is good for working on transition defense. Drill: This drill is run as a 3-on-2 with a defensive chaser attempting to 'recover' and make it a 3-on-3. The point guard starts on the free throw line (or free throw line extended) and the chaser starts on the baseline. The other two defenders start inside their respective players and a step or two closer … [Read more...]
Circle Block Out Drill
Purpose: To develop team and individual rebounding and blocking out skills. Drill: Divide into 5 offense and 5 defense and position them around any circle on the floor (could also go with groups of 3 or 4, if necessary). Place a basketball in the middle of the circle. On the whistle or word 'shot', the defenders will attempt to stop the offensive players from getting to the ball for 3 seconds. Options: Spread players back about 5 feet to make the circle bigger Defenders must hold offensive … [Read more...]
Cone Dodge Rebounding Drill
Purpose: To develop body control and footwork when rebounding the basketball. Drill: Place cones on the floor in the lane area as shown. Players will line up around the three-point circle, each will be given a number. One player will be the 'shooter'; they can take turns as the shooter. The coach will yell out a number and that player will immediately go after the rebound by weaving through the cones. The ball should not hit the floor and the player should not touch any of the cones. Once the … [Read more...]
Two Line Tips Drill
Purpose: To develop ball control and rebounding skills, as well as work on conditioning. Drill: Place 2 cones at the midcourt area as shown. Players will form 2 lines with the first player in each line holding a basketball. Two line tips is a continuous drill that begins with O1 and O2 simultaneously tossing their basketballs against the backboard, then sprinting around their corresponding cones to the opposite line. O3 and O4 will then jump up, grab the ball, come down with it, jump back … [Read more...]
1-on-2 to 2-on-1 Drill
Purpose: Develop the full court speed dribble and the ability to finish while being pressured or chased. Also develops conditioning and scoring/defending a fast break situation. Drill: Begin with 3 lines at one end of the court, basketball in the middle line. The drill begins with the offensive player in the middle line speed dribbling to the opposite basket and attempting to make a layup. As soon as 'O' passes the free throw line, X1 and X2 begin chasing the dribbler and trying to prevent the … [Read more...]
5-Man Weave
Purpose: To develop passing skills and teamwork in a fun full court basketball drill. Great drill to help youth players progress from a 3-man weave and an excellent pre-practice warmup drill for older players. Drill: Players will divide into five lines on a baseline as shown. All basketballs will begin in the middle line. The rules of this drill are similar to the 3-man weave, except now the players will pass and go behind two players. In this diagram O1 passes to O2 then cuts behind both O2 … [Read more...]
Cut-Throat Rebounding Game
Purpose: To develop rebounding aggressiveness. Sometimes, rebounding is more than footwork and blocking out ... it's about just getting the !@#$ basketball! This competitive drill will teach your players to simply get the basketball. Drill: All players begin at one basket; coach has a basketball. The coach will shoot the basketball and on the missed shot, every player will scramble for the rebound. The player who gains control of the rebound will give the ball back to the coach and leave the … [Read more...]
Crossover Step Layup Drill
Purpose: Learning the Crossover Step Layup move will help to create strong shot opportunities when a player drives to the basket. Drill: Players will line up on the wing, as shown. (If you have several baskets at your disposal, use them.) At least one ball per group. The first player begins by dribbling hard to the cone, jump stops, and then executing the crossover step and finishing with a layup/baby hook shot. Grab your shot and pass back to next person in line without a ball and then move … [Read more...]
Reaction 3-Man Weave to 2-on-1 Drill
Purpose: To work on transition offense, transition defense, conditioning, and reacting quickly to a situation that occurs on the court. Drill: The players will set up in three lines outside the baseline. The first three players (O1, O2, O3) move onto the court and begin executing a 3-man weave going down the court. The players will continue until the coach blows his whistle or yells the command 'change'. Upon hearing the whistle, whoever has the basketball will immediately drop it and sprint … [Read more...]