Purpose: To work on individual transition defense and closing out on the shooter from a transition situation. Drill: Use 2 lines as shown. O1 and O2 both have a basketball and are being defended by X1 and X2. X1 and X2 defend the zig-zag dribble downcourt. The offense isn't really "trying" to beat the defender but if the defender is playing too lazy, go right ahead. Defensively, just remember to stay low in a solid stance and change direction quickly. As the offensive player nears the … [Read more...]
2 Zone Offense Inside Out Shooting Drills
Purpose: To work on shooting utilizing shots that you will get against a zone defense, specifically when executing the inside-outside pass opposite. To help players learn the benefits of the 'pass opposite' when playing against a zone defense. Drill #1: Inside Outside Pass Opposite O1 passes to O4 in the low post. O4 turns and passes opposite to O2 for the shot. Coaching Points: O4 should keep catch ball and keep at chin level or above head. O2, instead of simply standing … [Read more...]
Loyola 1-4 Basketball Play
Out of the 1-4 high set, 'Loyola' has a lot of good action that can create shots off of a basket cut or there are options to create open 3-pointers. The players set up in a 1-4 high set as shown above. The point guard, O1 initiates the action by passing to O3 on the wing and then cutting off of O5 to the low block. O3 can pass to O1 if open on the cut. O3 steps out to top of key to replace O1. O3 reverses the basketball back to O4 at the top. O2 takes a few steps towards O4 and … [Read more...]
Crash the Glass Offensive Rebounding Drill
Purpose: To develop the mindset and ability of 'crashing the glass' to go after offensive rebounds. Drill: A coach stands anywhere on the court with a basketball. The players line up at the free throw line. When the coach shoots the basketball, the first player in line goes after the rebound. The player must rebound the basketball in the air with both feet off the ground. To add a gamelike dimension, have the player finish by making a basket once he has secured the rebound. … [Read more...]
1-4 High Ball Screen Series
Introduction This summer, my goal is to become a better set play coach. Sets are one of my weaknesses offensively, so I am trying to make it a strength. One of the great things about sets is that you can control who has the ball as well as who's taking the shots and where they are taking them from. I was recently watching “Sets to Get Your Best Players Shots” by Paul McDonald (Vermilion Community College). One of the sets he ran got my brain thinking about how you could run this as a … [Read more...]
Criss-Cross Double Screen
This is an effective play from the box set formation that creates multiple shot opportunities by having 2 players criss-cross (scissor-action) a double screen. O1 dribbles to the left as O4 and O5 step into the lane to set a double screen. O2 cuts high to the top and O3 cuts low to the ballside short corner. O4 steps back to the ball after the cutters have gone through. O5 dives to weakside low block area to be in weakside rebounding position. O1 can pass to O2, O3, or O4. It is … [Read more...]
Iba Cowboy Drill
I came across this drill in a stack of some old handouts. This drill is named after legendary Oklahoma State University Coach Hank Iba. This is a fantastic drill -- not only for the skills it develops, but also that it greatly builds toughness! Purpose: To teach players the skills of help defense and taking a charge, getting on the floor for a loose ball, and to score in the lane against defensive contact. Drill: Three players are needed along with a coach at the top. If you have them, … [Read more...]
Free Throw Defensive Rebounding Drill
Purpose: To practice the skill of blocking out and rebounding a missed free throw. All too often, coaches will remind players to "rebound" on a free throw or to "block out the shooter". Those are great reminders, but have you spent time and practiced rebounding free throws? This drill is designed to help your players learn to stop the shooting team from getting a second chance off of a missed free throw. It is also designed to get them to better communicate. Drill: Players line up around the … [Read more...]
Outlet and Fill Drill
Purpose: To work on making the outlet pass and filling the lane in a fast break situation. To work on receiving the outlet pass and quickly dribbling downcourt. Also develops a variety of skills necessary for an effective fast break such as passing, jump stops, and finishing. Drill: Two players on the court with one basketball. O1 starts under basket with the basketball. O2 starts in outlet area. O1 begins drill by tossing the basketball off the backboard and jumping up to secure the rebound. … [Read more...]
Quinnipiac 1-4 High Ball Screen Play
This play from a 1-4 high set creates possible multiple scoring options. The high ball screen allows your point guard to attack the middle and look to score or create for a teammate. The players set up in a high 1-4, as shown. This play can be run to either side. The play is initiated with a pass from O1 to O4 at the elbow. As O4 receives the pass, O3 cuts through to the opposite corner. If open, O4 can make the backdoor pass to O3 for the layup. After passing to O4, O1 cuts over and behind … [Read more...]