Purpose: To improve players' focus and concentration by rewarding them when they make a free throw and giving a consequence when they miss. Drill: At the end of practice, the players will line up on a baseline. One player at a time comes out to shoot one free throw. If the attempt is successful, that player gets to leave. If the attempt is missed, that player goes to the end of the line and the entire team runs a 10-second drill (down-and-back sprint). Drill continues until no one is … [Read more...]
5 Tips When Applying a Press Defense
You may not be a 'pressing' team, but it is good to have the ability to press at different points in a game. You may simply need to press towards the end of a game in order to come back from a deficit. You may also like to mix it up once in awhile to catch the other team off guard. Whenever you decide to press, the following points should be stressed to your players. When to Press It is possible to press at any time but it is most effective to press after a made basket, after a free throw, … [Read more...]
Downscreen to Doublescreen
This is a simple box set play to install and can create a couple of good scoring opportunities. As the name of the play indicates, it also incorporates a downscreen and a doublescreen. O3 initiates this box set quick hitter by setting a downscreen for O5. O5 pops out to the wing as the first option. If open, O1 should look to pass to O5. After setting the downscreen, O3 swings to the opposite wing, using a doublescreen from O4 and O2. O3 is the second option. … [Read more...]
How To Defend the On-Ball 1-on-1 Situation
Possibly the toughest position to be in defensively is having to defend the ball in a 1-on-1 situation. More and more teams are using the dribble to create offense. You do need to have good helpside defense but the best initial line of defense for this is to develop a solid foundation of individual defensive fundamentals. 1-on-1 defense should be a part of every practice and the following must be stressed as part of the defensive stance: The defensive stance should be a comfortable stance that … [Read more...]
Partner Fast Break Drill
Purpose: Work on offensive transition, finishing the fast break, and conditioning. Drill: 2 players are required to perform this drill. With a team, have the next two go when the previous pair finish. The drill begins with O1 tossing the ball off the backboard and then rebounding the ball. He will then outlet the ball to O2, who immediately dribbles the ball up the middle of the court. O1 sprints down the wing. O2 will perform a jump stop at the free throw line area and pass to O1, who is … [Read more...]
Box Pinch Play
This baseline out of bounds play creates an open shot opportunity when 2 players set a 'pinch' screen. When the official hands the basketball to O2, O4 cuts between O5 and O1 as they pinch together to not allow his defender to pass through. O4 is the first option. O3 cuts across the lane, then plants and cuts hard toward the basket to become the second option. O1, after setting the pinch screen, should release high to become the safety valve. … [Read more...]
Long Pass Fast Break Drill
Purpose: Develop accuracy in passing and receiving longer passes in a fast break setting. Drill: Players will set up in four lines at each corner of the floor, as shown in the diagram. The first player in line 1 starts dribbling toward midcourt as the first player in line 2 breaks hard down the sideline and then angles toward the basket. The dribbler will make the pass so it is received somewhere between the top of the key and center court. The receiver catches the pass then dribbles in and … [Read more...]
Jump Up Shooting Drill
Purpose: Some players have difficulty making layups because they tend to jump 'long' instead of jumping 'high' (therefore, they wind up shooting from a bad angle). This drill encourages players to jump as high as possible for a layup rather than broad jumping. Drill: Place an object such as a cone, chair, ball rack, etc slightly behind the backboard. The distance will depend upon the speed of the drill (which should be varied). For moderate speed, place the cone directly under the backboard as … [Read more...]
Offset Line
This baseline out of bounds play from a line set with one player offset can be utilized against either a man or zone defense. When the official hands the ball to O1, O5 cuts off of O4 toward the basket, tapping O4 as he passes him. Upon feeling the tap, O4 cuts to the corner. O2 cuts out to the top as the safety valve. O3 stays put, possibly sealing off a defender to receive a pass (much like posting up). O1 will look to pass to O5 first, then to O4 or O3. If nothing is available, throw it out … [Read more...]
Dribble Pick-Up Drill
Purpose: To work hard and aggressively defend the offensive player when he picks up his dribble. Also helps develop hand and arm reaction to close off passing lanes. Drill: The offensive player dribbles toward the coach. The coach will yell 'pick it up' after the offensive player has taken several dribbles. The defender tightly guards the offensive player to prevent a pass to the coach. Continue for desired timeframe. Players can work in pairs. After the first two go, the next two jump right … [Read more...]