The 4 Low Lob baseline out of bounds play is designed to get a quick shot when time may not even allow for a catch and shoot. The pass may need to be tipped in for a score. When the official hands the basketball to O1, O4 sets a screen for O5 and then rolls back to the basketball, pinning his defender behind him. O5 must set up his defender to the low side and then step high and curl to the front of the rim. O1 looks for O5 on the lob and then to O4 if the defenders switch. The O5 position … [Read more...]
Resisted Sprints and Resisted Speed Dribble Drill
Purpose: Utilizing resisted sprint training trains the body in such a way so that when the resistance is removed, greater speed can be achieved. The resistance causes the athlete to use greater force to propel himself forward. While sprinting, yet not able to reach full speed because of the resistance, the muscles are learning to work harder to be faster. Therefore, when the resistance is taken away, the muscles are able to fire more quickly than previously. Drill: Two people and one towel are … [Read more...]
Basic Rules for Zone Offenses
The following rules are fundamental for any zone offense. Whether you are coaching a beginning youth team or high school/college, these basics should be built into your zone offense system if you desire success. Obviously your zone offense can get as advanced as you want ... these, however, are the building block fundamentals for playing zone offense. Rule 1: Set Up Opposite the Defense To best counter the zone defense formation, the offense should set up with an opposite front from what the … [Read more...]
Defensive Directional Drill
Purpose: To have the entire team work on defensive stance as well as defensive footwork including slide-steps, drop-steps, closeouts, jumps and defensive shuffling. Drill: The players will spread out on the court as shown, facing a coach or team leader. On 'Go', the players will get into a defensive stance and perform a 'quick feet' action (rapidly move the feet while staying in one spot). The coach will then point in the different directions while the players use quick and efficient … [Read more...]
Numbers Dribbling Drill
Purpose: To develop the habit of keeping the head up when dribbling a basketball. Also reinforces the concept of 'seeing the entire court'. Drill: Players will form four to five lines on a baseline, as shown. A coach stands beyond the three-point line extending an arm high above his head, holding up a certain number of fingers. The players begin to dribble up the court, keeping their heads up so they can see the coach's hand. The players must call out the number of fingers the coach is holding … [Read more...]
Chair Rebounding Drill
Purpose: To work on offensive rebounding skills and footwork. The chairs on the court force the player to utilize good footwork in crashing the board. Drill: 9 chairs (or cones) are needed for this drill. The chairs are placed on the court as shown by the squares in the diagram. The coach or manager will shoot the ball from anywhere on the court. The player going after the rebound can also start anywhere on the court but should be outside the lane. The drill begins with the coach (C) shooting … [Read more...]
Mouse in the Middle
Purpose: To work on passing skills against defensive pressure. Drill: Five offensive players form a circle around one defensive player (as shown in upper half of court diagram). The offensive players begin by passing the basketball to each other while trying to keep the defender from stealing the pass. As the players get the idea of the drill and become proficient vs. one defender, start adding more defenders to the 'middle'. This will increase the challenge to the offensive players. If a … [Read more...]
2 Minute Game
Purpose: The '2 minute game' drill can do a number of things. The objective of the drill is to score as many baskets as possible in 2 minutes; and to score more in those 2 minutes than your opponent. You can use this drill to focus on either the defense or the offense. This is a very competitive and challenging drill for both sides. The offense is trying to score as many as possible, but it does need to make sure to score (going ultra-fast may get a bunch of shots, but it may not get good … [Read more...]
Block to Block Team Shooting Drill
Purpose: To work on short range shots from the low block area. This is also a basketball shooting drill that can be used during pregame warm-ups so the players can warm-up with close range shots and prepare the muscle-memory. Drill: 2 basketballs needed. One player begins on a low block and the other players form 2 lines as shown, ball in the front of each line. O3 begins by passing to O1, who takes the short jump shot. After passing, O3 loops through the lane, receives the pass from O2, then … [Read more...]
15 Minute Stationary Ball Handling Series
Purpose: To improve ball handling skills by working on quickness, agility, speed and hand/eye coordination. Drill: These stationary ball handling drills can be performed individually or by having the entire team take part in these exercises. Each player will need 2 basketballs in order to perform all of the drills. Around One Leg - Player spreads legs and moves the basketball around one leg as quickly as possible. After :15 seconds, change direction. When one leg is completed, perform the … [Read more...]