Purpose: To develop passing skills and teamwork in a fun full court basketball drill. Great drill to help youth players progress from a 3-man weave and an excellent pre-practice warmup drill for older players. Drill: Players will divide into five lines on a baseline as shown. All basketballs will begin in the middle line. The rules of this drill are similar to the 3-man weave, except now the players will pass and go behind two players. In this diagram O1 passes to O2 then cuts behind both O2 … [Read more...]
Cut-Throat Rebounding Game
Purpose: To develop rebounding aggressiveness. Sometimes, rebounding is more than footwork and blocking out ... it's about just getting the !@#$ basketball! This competitive drill will teach your players to simply get the basketball. Drill: All players begin at one basket; coach has a basketball. The coach will shoot the basketball and on the missed shot, every player will scramble for the rebound. The player who gains control of the rebound will give the ball back to the coach and leave the … [Read more...]
Crossover Step Layup Drill
Purpose: Learning the Crossover Step Layup move will help to create strong shot opportunities when a player drives to the basket. Drill: Players will line up on the wing, as shown. (If you have several baskets at your disposal, use them.) At least one ball per group. The first player begins by dribbling hard to the cone, jump stops, and then executing the crossover step and finishing with a layup/baby hook shot. Grab your shot and pass back to next person in line without a ball and then move … [Read more...]
Scissor Play
This baseline out of bounds play uses a scissor action to create open shot opportunities. A simple play to execute, it creates multiple scoring options to attack the inbounds defense and score. When the official hands the ball to O1, O2 and O3 will scissor cut off O5. After they cut past, O5 will screen for O4, who cuts to the corner. O5 should roll back to the basketball after setting the screen. O2 and O3 are the first options for O1. If they are not open, O4 may be open in the corner. If … [Read more...]
Reaction 3-Man Weave to 2-on-1 Drill
Purpose: To work on transition offense, transition defense, conditioning, and reacting quickly to a situation that occurs on the court. Drill: The players will set up in three lines outside the baseline. The first three players (O1, O2, O3) move onto the court and begin executing a 3-man weave going down the court. The players will continue until the coach blows his whistle or yells the command 'change'. Upon hearing the whistle, whoever has the basketball will immediately drop it and sprint … [Read more...]
Strong Side Weak Side Box Inbounds Play
This baseline out of bounds from a box set can be run against either man or zone defenses. It is really simple to implement and simple to execute. There are two options, either of which can be called so the defense will not be certain which you will execute. Strong Side When the official hands the ball to O2, O5 pops out to the corner. O2 will pass to O5 as O1 cuts to the wing. O5 passes to O1 and sets a downscreen for O2. O1 will pass to O2 for the shot or a possible post entry to O5. If … [Read more...]
3-Step Layup Drill
Purpose: This simple layup drill helps a basketball player practice the footwork and technique involved in shooting a layup. An obvious drill youth basketball coaches can use to help teach the layup and the technique it requires. Drill: Begin this drill by standing at the right elbow area of the lane. Start the movement by taking a dribble with the right hand and, at the same time, stepping forward with the left foot. (The step and dribble should occur simultaneously). Next, step with your … [Read more...]
Command Speed Dribble Drill
Purpose: To improve the speed dribble and to learn to protect the basketball while dribbling under control. Also develops ability to react. Drill: The players line up on a baseline as shown, each with a basketball and facing a coach. On the first command (coach will say 'go' or blow a whistle), the players will speed dribble straight ahead. On the second command (coach may say 'stop' or blow the whistle again), the players will stop and dribble under control. At the next whistle, they will … [Read more...]
4 Across 'Deacon' Play
This '4 Across' play is a great play that should offer a chance for either an open layup or an open jump shot/3 pointer. It is also the play Wake Forest used to score a last second win vs. Duke on 1/28/2009. Four players set up in a '4 across' as shown. O2 should be your best shooter and O5 should be your best low post scorer. When the official hands the ball to O1, O2 will utilize the triple screen being set by O3, O4 and O5. O5 is the key player in this play because he needs to pay … [Read more...]
1-on-1 Box Out Drill
Purpose: Work on rebounding -- both offensive and defensive -- in a competitive situation. Drill: Divide into groups of three -- a shooter, offensive player and defensive player. If you have the space, you can have 3 players at each basket; otherwise you can place more than one threesome at a basket. The shooter will take shots from various spots on the court. The offensive rebounder should always begin about 10-15 feet away from the basket and the defensive player will start in defensive … [Read more...]