Purpose: To teach five players to execute the fast break while being pressured on the rebound, at midcourt, and by their basket. Good drill to use to begin incorporating defense against your transition offense. Drill: The five offensive players set up on one end of the court as shown. One defensive player sets up near the basket, one stands near half court, and one starts near the opposite basket. The drill begins with the coach taking a shot. The 5 players (and 1 defender) go after the … [Read more...]
1-4 Low Pick and Roll with Backscreen
This 1-4 set puts four players down low to run a pick and roll with an added backscreen for creating a great scoring opportunity. To run this play out of a 1-4 low alignment, O1 dribbles the ball to the side wing area. Either side works just fine so if the play is called, all players should know what to do from any position. This play can create several open shot opportunities depending upon how the defense plays it. As O1 reaches the free throw line extended, O5 comes up and sets an on-ball … [Read more...]
Middle Double Screen Play
This 1-4 Quick Hitter utilizes several screens to get an open scoring opportunity. O1 begins the play by dribbling to the right. O2 will cut down to the low block area, setting a screen for O3 coming all the way through. (If the pick is set towards the middle of the lane, O3 may be open on the low block before cutting all the way to the three-point line). After setting the screen, O2 cuts to the top of the key, using the double screen set by O4 and O5. Once O2 has cut to the top, O5 screens … [Read more...]
Box Zone Lob Play
This baseline zone out of bounds play is designed to get a lob and is initiated out of a box set. You may even find success with this play against a man-to-man. When the official hands the basketball to O1, O5 makes a hard baseline cut calling for the basketball. O4 sets an up screen for O2 and then looks for the lob pass from O1. O2 uses the screen and cuts hard to the ballside corner while O3 cuts toward half-court acting as the safety valve. … [Read more...]
Pro Rolls
Purpose: To work on layups in a full court situation. Develops the ability to score under pressure, passing, and running the floor. Also a good drill for conditioning. Drill: Players will divide into groups of 3. Only three passes are allowed per length of the court trip. Dribbling is not allowed. The drill begins with the players in the positions as shown: O1 under the basket with a ball, O2 at the free throw line extended, O3 at the midcourt area. O1 starts by passing to O2 and then … [Read more...]
Two-Man Layup Drill
Purpose: To work on 'finishing' a fast break or slow break situation. Players will work on passing and catching in a simulated break environment. Drill: Begin with players in the three lines, as shown; the basketball is in line O1. A coach or manager (C) stands near the elbow area. O2 starts by cutting hard to the area around the free throw line extended. O1 passes to O2, who executes a jump stop upon the catch. O3 will start his run and cut at the same time as O2 and will run his … [Read more...]
3-on-3 Ultimate Defensive Drill
Purpose: This full court defensive drill has players play both ends of the floor and transition from offense to defense and vice-versa. This is an ultimate test of defense. Drill: It's a 3-on-3 situation but the players should follow your defensive concepts and requirements. Offensive players begin by inbounding the ball and advancing it up the court. Defensive players attempt to stop the ball and prevent an easy pass or shot. The drill ends with either a made basket or a turnover. After … [Read more...]
Line Dribbling Drill
Purpose: To practice dribbling fundamentals and skills. Can also be a good pre-practice warmup. Drill: The players will line up at position 1. You should have about 4-5 basketballs but, ideally, one per player. The first player in line begins by performing a stationary, protective dribble. He will begin dribbling forward when the coach says 'go'. Wherever a number is located on the diagram, the players will execute the following dribbles (feel free to incorporate your own dribble moves as … [Read more...]
Full Court Defensive Sliding Drill Series
Purpose: To teach proper sliding techniques and correct sliding angles that are required in a full court defensive system. Also good at teaching basic defensive footwork and works well as a conditioning drill. Full Court Sliding Drill Purpose: To teach proper sliding techniques and correct sliding angles that are required in a full court defensive system. Also a good conditioning drill. Drill: One line of players start at a corner of the court (you could also use two lines of players - one … [Read more...]
Outlet to Break Simulation Drill
Purpose: Teach players to outlet quickly and to move the ball quickly up the floor in a fast break or break the press situation. Drill: Divide players into four groups (1-4) as shown. Group 1: Each player begins with a basketball. The drill starts with the first player in line throwing the ball off the glass, rebounding it, then throwing an outlet pass to the first person in Group 2. Group 2: Players will yell 'outlet', receive the pass, and dribble once or twice toward the center … [Read more...]