Purpose: To work on transition offense and defense in a progressive manner. The Progressive Transition Drill works on all the various situations a team will face in a game; 1-on-0, 2-on-1, 3-on-2, 4-on-3, and 5-on-4. Develops conditioning and decision-making in a competitive, game-like situation. Drill: In this diagram, 'W' = white jersey and 'D' = dark jersey. If your players wear reversible jerseys, then 4 players will be in darks and 5 players will be in whites. This full court drill sets … [Read more...]
Around the Horn Box Set Play
The Around the Horn Box Set Play is a quick hitter that creates an open shot or scoring opportunity by giving one player, the point guard, a screen from each of the other four players. Timing is essential in this play but if it's executed correctly, you will find yourself with an open jump shot -- or better yet, an open layup! As the point guard, O1, dribbles up the floor and nears the top of the key, he passes to 3, who has popped out from his spot on the elbow. If 3's defender tries playing … [Read more...]
5-on-0 Secondary Break Drill
Purpose: To work on the secondary break and to develop the ability to get into your offensive sets off of transition. Drill: Five offensive players space themselves around or near the lane. When the coach yells 'shot!', the players box out their imaginary defenders and the coach makes or misses a layup. One of the players grabs the rebound, at which point the players will run their secondary break the other way. (If the shot is made, the ball should then be inbounded -- see next … [Read more...]
Eagle Transition Drill
Purpose: To work on the transition from offense to defense and defense to offense. The offensive players work on getting back quickly to stop or slow down the offense. The defensive work on the transition to offense by pushing the ball and attacking the defense. This drill requires players to hustle and anticipate. Drill: 3 players on offense and 3 players on defense. Additional players are in the 'outlet' position out of bounds. An offensive player begins the drill by shooting the … [Read more...]
1-4 Blue Devil Handoff Play
This play from the 1-4 high set was executed to perfection by the Duke Blue Devils in their comeback win against UNC on February 9, 2010. A 3-point shot was converted by Seth Curry while Duke was working their comeback from a 16-point deficit. The 1-4 Blue Devil Handoff play starts with the players in a 1-4 high set as shown in the diagram. O1 has the ball on the right side of the court. O3, on the right wing, cuts through the lane to the weakside. O4 steps out from his position at the elbow … [Read more...]
3-on-2 with Trailer Drill
Purpose: To prepare the defenders when transitioning back on defense in a disadvantage situation. The emphasis of this drill is for defense, but offensive players will get to work on the transition offense part of the game as well. Drill: Six players are needed for this drill, along with a coach or manager at the baseline. 3 defensive players are positioned along the free throw line extended with their backs to the coach at the baseline. 3 offensive players are positioned in front of the … [Read more...]
Ball Ahead Transition Drill
Purpose: To develop the foundation of your transition offense by practicing the outlet pass and full court finish. Also a useful conditioning drill. Drill: Two players and two coaches or managers are needed for this drill. The players start as shown (O1 by the backboard with the ball and O2 in the outlet area on the wing). A coach or manager stands on each side of the court at about the midcourt line. O1 begins by tossing the ball off the backboard, grabbing the rebound, then making an outlet … [Read more...]
Big Man Slash Play
This basketball play from the box set formation creates a chance for a lob or a perimeter shot. Should those actions not create a shot opportunity, the slash action is added to get a big diving to the low post. The point guard, O1, dribbles to the wing while O2 cuts across the baseline using O3 as a screen. Once O2 clears past O3, O5 sets a diagonal screen away for O4 who cuts down to screen for O3 coming up the lane. O1 has the option to throw the lob pass to O5 who has split the X4 and X5 … [Read more...]
1-4 Low Drive Play
The 1-4 Low Drive Play is a simple to run and very effective if you have a point guard that is good in a 1-on-1 situation. O1 begins at the top while the other four players are spread along the baseline. O1 dribbles on his defender to either the right or left side. In this diagram, O1 dribbles to the right. O3 moves to get open for a potential pass and three-point shot. O2 cuts to the top to replace O1. O5, upon seeing O1 drive in his direction, steps out to the short corner. Stepping out … [Read more...]
1-4 Low Middle Stagger Play
Get an open 3-point shot with this play out of the 1-4 low alignment. Also a great play that can be used to attack the lane with a middle drive. O1 dribbles the ball up the side (left side in this diagram, but either side will work). The other players align themselves in a 1-4 low set. As O1 dribbles across the top of the key extended, O5 will set an on-ball screen for him. O1 drives into the middle of the floor. O4 slides into the low post. O1 may have a shot from the lane or a dump pass … [Read more...]