Purpose: To improve defensive quickness and foot movement when playing on-the-ball defense by not allowing the defensive player to use his hands. Drill: 1 offensive player with a basketball and 1 defensive player with a towel begin at the baseline. The offensive player starts at the baseline facing the opposite basket. The defensive player gets in a defensive stance about 3-4 feet from the offensive player. The defender holds one end of the towel with the left hand and the other end with the … [Read more...]
5 Make 30 Shooting Drill
Purpose: To teach players to be more effective in their shooting and shot preparation. This team shooting drill will also develop passing, receiving, and communication skills as well as the ability to shoot under pressure if made into a competitive drill. Drill: For this drill, there are 7 at a basket; 5 shooters and 2 rebounders. The rebounders can be coaches, managers, or extra players. There are also 3 basketballs at each basket. The shooters will call a rebounders name in order to … [Read more...]
1-4 High Continuity Zone Offense
The 1-4 High Continuity is an effective zone offense to employ against odd-front zones such as the 1-2-2. The point guard, O1, can initiate the offense to either the right or left side. In this diagram, O1 starts by dribbling to the right. As he goes right, O4 steps out to the the 3-point line to receive a pass from O1. O5 pins the guard on the elbow. As O1 passes to O4, O2 and O3 slide down to their respective corners. After pinning the guard at the elbow, O5 looks to slide into … [Read more...]
2-Line Competitive Shooting Drill
Purpose: To work on receiving a pass and shooting the basketball in a competitive situation. Also helps the passer work on making good passes to a shooter. Drill: Form two lines, one at each free throw line extended. Each line has 2 basketballs. The drill starts with the first player in line A cutting toward line B to receive the pass. Upon receiving the pass, he should square up and shoot, following his shot. After following up his shot, he will switch to the line of players that passed the … [Read more...]
2-Ball Rebounding Drill
Purpose: To teach basketball players to make a continuous effort to go for the ball when offensive rebounding. Conversely, to teach defensive players to blockout, rebound, and make the outlet pass. Drill: This rebounding drill is 3-on-3 competition between the offense and defense. Two coaches or managers act as shooters / outlet receivers. The drill begins with a coach shooting the basketball. If the defensive players gain control, they outlet the ball to either coach. If the offensive … [Read more...]
Staggered Screen Baseline Lob Play
With this baseline inbounds play, a staggered screen is used to create space for a lob pass to the rim. This play can be used anytime, but might also be an effective out of bounds play when there is no time for a catch and shoot. When the official hands the basketball to 3, 2 cuts across the lane. 2 and 5 set a staggered screen for 4, who cuts hard to the basket. If open, 3 will throw a lob pass to 4 in front of the rim. After 4's cut, 2 pops out to the short corner. If the lob to 4 isn't … [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...]
No Hands Hell Drill
Purpose: To improve team defense techniques, fundamentals, and movements. Also improves communication, concentration, and toughness. Drill: The No Hands Hell Drill is a 5-on-5 team defense drill. The defense begins in the quarter-court (top of key) and they must play with their hands behind their backs. After :30 seconds, the defense can use their hands and must not allow the offense to score for the full duration of the possession. The duration should usually be :45 to :60 seconds. If your … [Read more...]
9 Principles for Attacking Pressure Defenses
Expect pressure. At one point or another, your offense can expect pressure. It may be from an opponent that pressures the entire game or simply a team that employs pressure to help them get back in the game. Regardless of how teams pressure and when they choose to do so, expect it to come. Now that you can expect it to come, make sure you prepare for it. Pressure will kill you if you're not prepared for it. Therefore, drill against pressure in practice and teach your players concepts that will … [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...]