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...]
3 Line Pick
This 3 Line Pick Drill is great at getting a good number of game shots at game spots. This drill has 3 lines (1 with guards, 1 with wings, and 1 with post players). A Coach is set on the wing with a ball. The drill starts with G passing to W. G then cuts through the lane to the opposite corner and sets up for a shot. Once W has the ball, P moves up from the baseline to set a wing ball-screen for W. In this option, W hits P on the roll. P scores with a dunk or lay-up. The 2nd … [Read more...]
3 Line Layups
Here is a nice layup drill that can be useful as a warm-up such as in early practice or pre-game. It incorporates finishing with a layup, obviously, but also helps with passing and outlet passing. 1 passes to 2, 1 and 2 cannot start running until after passing the ball 3 can start running after 1 has passed the ball 2 passes to 3 3 passes to 1 for a lay-up and clears to the opposite side for the outlet pass 1 clears out after shooting the lay-up 2 rebounds the … [Read more...]
30 Second Team Post Game
Purpose: To practice getting open in the low and high post areas to receive a pass. The defensive player will practice defending the offensive post player. The passers will work on making good, accurate passes into the post. Drill: 2 teams of 5 per basket (you can use less players if necessary). Each player should be partnered with a player from the opposite team who is of similar size and ability. Two players start in the post, one from each team (O1 and X1). O1 is on offense, therefore his … [Read more...]
By the Ear Passing Drill
Purpose: To teach the concept of passing the basketball 'by the ear' and to develop the basketball players ability to make the pass through defensive pressure. Passing 'by the ear' works nearly every time if performed correctly. For example, a low ball fake gets the defender to drop his arm. Bringing the ball back and then passing 'by the ear' of the defender is virtually unstoppable. As defenders, we are not used to or comfortable having our hands up by our ears. Therefore, a pass zipped right … [Read more...]
Bad Pass Drill
Purpose: To build confidence, reaction, hand-eye coordination, and improve bad hands. Passes into the lane rarely go uncontested and the 'Bad Pass Drill' helps the players learn to catch a bad pass and turn it into a basket or free throw opportunity. Drill: O2 starts on the low block. O1 (or a coach or manager) stands at the top of the key with a basketball. O2 flashes into the lane to begin the drill. O1 throws a bad pass (but catchable) to O2. O2 catches the ball and passes it back to … [Read more...]
Touchdown Pass Drill
Purpose: To practice throwing and catching the long baseball pass. This is a pass that can be used against pressure defense and may be necessary in a late-game situation. This drill also teaches the 'flyer' or receiver to bounce out and shoot a 3-pointer or long jump shot. Drill: Split the team so there is a line of players under each basket. Only one basketball is used and it is given to the first player in one of the lines. The drill initially begins with O1 tossing the ball off the … [Read more...]
4 Passes Drill
Purpose: To improve passing, communicating, and conditioning. Drill: Players form three lines; one at a baseline and two lines at about the free throw line extended on the same side of the court. The 4 Passes Drill is performed as follows: O1 tosses ball off backboard, rebounds it, throws an outlet pass to O2, then sprints down the lane line to the opposite basket. O2 turns and throws a baseball pass to O3. O3 throws a bounce pass to O1, who is sprinting from the other end. After making … [Read more...]
Short and Long Passing Drill
Purpose: To work on short passes and long passes in a game speed setting. Also develops concentration and focus. Drill: Form two lines on the baseline at the lane lines as shown. Each player in one line has a basketball. The first two players begin by passing the ball back and forth without dribbling or traveling. When they reach the opposite baseline, they come back on the outside, making longer passes. Once a group of two passes the free throw line, the next group begins. Concentration and … [Read more...]
Rapid-Fire Solo Passing Drill
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...]