In this out of bounds play from a box formation, the player passing the ball inbounds should be your best scorer. When the official hands the basketball to O2, players 1, 3, and 5 pop out to get open. 2 passes to 5, who then passes to 3, who passes to 1. After passing, O2 should start walking his defender into the lane. As O2 steps into the lane, 3, 4, and 5 move in to set a pick on 2's defender. 2 can use any of the three screens and cut anywhere, looking for a pass from 1. All three … [Read more...]
1 on 4 Shell Drill
Purpose: To learn all aspects of defensive positioning in a simple, breakdown shell drill situation. The defender will develop on-ball defense, off-ball defense, and help defense. Drill: 4 offensive players in a shell around the perimeter. A corner player begins with the basketball. 1 defensive player guarding the player with the basketball. Player 1 begins with the basketball and can attempt to drive baseline one time. X1 must stop the drive. O1 will then pass to O2 on the wing. O1 must stay … [Read more...]
Toughness Rebounding Drill
Purpose: Toughness. Flat-out toughness in rebounding is necessary in order to be successful in this drill. Drill: 2 defensive players start inside the lane. 5 offensive players start outside the lane. The top boundary is either the jump circle (if you even have that marking on your court), or the top line on the free throw lane. A coach or manager will shoot the basketball from any spot on the court. In this diagram, the coach is shooting from the free throw line. X1 and X2 fight for the … [Read more...]
Trap and Get Back Rebounding Drill
Purpose: To work on getting back defensively after setting a trap. Specifically, getting back to block out and rebound the basketball when the pass from a trap leads to a quick perimeter shot. Drill: 4 players needed; 2 offensive players and 2 defensive players. The 2 offensive players bring the basketball down the court in a parallel alignment. Once the 2 offensive players cross the midcourt line, the 2 defenders immediately trap the player with the basketball. The player with the basketball … [Read more...]
4 Principles for Attacking Junk Defenses
Junk defenses such as the Box-and-One, Triangle-and-Two, Diamond-and-One, or any other combination a coach may come up with are essentially combination defenses because they combine both man-to-man and zone principles. These types of defenses are generally not what a team utilizes so you can't really prepare for them in a 'normal' manner. Because there are many variations and because they are used so sporadically, it would be nearly impossible and downright foolish to practice a special offense … [Read more...]
Close Out Shooting Drill
Purpose: To develop shooting skills while under pressure from a close-out defender. Works on focus and concentration through the shooting motion. Drill: 2 players with 1 basketball. Shooter begins at a spot on the perimeter and passer begins under the basket with the basketball. The player with the ball begins by passing and closing out to his partner. As he runs by, he should tap the shooter in the stomach to force him to shoot with a higher level of concentration. After the shot, switch … [Read more...]
The Getaway Free Throw Fast Break Offense
The Getaway Free Throw Fast Break is a controlled transition offense that is initiated after either a missed or a made free throw. As you can see in the diagram, three players will line up to rebound the opponent free throws. You may, however, choose to put four players in the lane to give yourself a better chance to secure the rebound. It's up to you (and up to how well your opponent chooses to crash the boards on the free throw!) Either way, the overall action is going to be the same except … [Read more...]
Three Stops 4-on-4
Purpose: To work on overall team defense and develop the teamwork and communication skills necessary to play great team defense. The competitive situation also helps to develop defensive toughness. Drill: The Three Stops 4-on-4 Team Defense Drill is competitive in that requires the defense to have three consecutive successful stops. Divide your squad into teams of 4. Extra players can be placed on teams and they will simply need to rotate in and out. As shown in the diagram, Team 1 is on … [Read more...]
High Box Double Clear Play
This out of bounds play sets up in the same type of box formation you have probably used many times. The difference is that it is set up higher so that the players closest to the basket are free throw line high at the elbows. The two 'top' players are now about 5-8 feet outside the three-point line. When the official hands the basketball to 5, 1 and 3 clear from the ballside to the weakside. 3 cuts close enough to use 4 as a screen to potentially lose his man. 3 is the first option for 5. 1 … [Read more...]
Survival Rebounding Drill
Purpose: To teach aggressiveness along with rebounding, inside scoring, and inside defensive skills. Drill: At each available basket, have groups of 4 to 6 players. 3 players are in the drill at one time. More players can be at each basket if necessary, but you should have at least 4 per basket. A coach or manager is also needed at each basket to shoot (and miss) the basketball and to be a passing outlet for the rebounder. The rules for 'Survival Rebounding' are as follows: The drill/game … [Read more...]