Purpose: To develop teamwork, ball control, passing, and conditioning while attempting to score. Drill: The players should get into three lines at one end of the court (additional players should be off the playing court, behind the baseline. The drill starts with the ball in the middle line. The rule to follow and remember in the 3-man weave is to pass the ball and go-behind the receiver (pass and go-behind). O1 passes to O2 and goes behind. O2 receives the pass, passes to O3, and goes … [Read more...]
V-Cut Drills
The V-Cut is a method of getting open to receive a pass on the basketball court. It is called a 'v-cut' because the cut is made in the shape of the letter 'V'. As the diagram below demonstrates, a v-cut is generally made by a player on the perimeter cutting toward the lane, planting hard on the outside foot, and then cutting hard back to the perimeter to receive the pass. The v-cut is useful because more often than not, you need to move to get open. If you're standing still and tightly guarded, … [Read more...]
3 vs. Box Zone Offense Drill
Purpose: To teach the perimeter offensive players to penetrate the gap and force two players to guard you. It also helps them work on skip passes and kicking the ball back out. Drill: Four defenders sets up in a box zone. Three offensive players set up around the perimeter. There is no set pattern for this drill. The player with the ball should attempt to penetrate the gap between two defenders, forcing both to guard. If the dribbler is stopped, he will look to pass to the wing (if in the … [Read more...]
You Are It Dribbling Drill
Purpose: To develop dribbling skills under intense pressure. Drill: All players line up behind the baseline. Place one less basketball than the number of players on the midcourt line (in the diagram shown, there are 6 players and 5 basketballs). Use only the shaded area between the top of the 3-point lines as shown. On the whistle or command all players attempt to get a ball. The one player who does not get a ball is "IT". "IT" has :15 seconds to get a ball away from any of the players … [Read more...]
3 on 3 Competitive Defense Drill
Purpose: This drill will work both offensive and defensive skills, however, the emphasis here is defense. The players are rewarded if they prevent the opposing team from scoring. Drill: Divide the team into groups of three. (If needed, you can also go 4 on 4 or 5 on 5). The objective is to play sound defense to prevent the offensive team from scoring. If the defensive team steals the ball, forces a turnover, or gets a rebound, they will stay on defense and a new offensive team will come onto … [Read more...]
Zigzag Defense Series
Purpose: To improve defensive footwork and foot speed. Players learn to stay low and to play defense against a player with the basketball. They will learn the method in turning an offensive player and how to open up in order to continue to defend aggressively. This is also an excellent conditioning drill for the players. Drill: Defensive Movement Series: The player start in a defensive stance, without a basketball, at the corner of the baseline and will shuffle toward the elbow. When they … [Read more...]
3-on-2 Penetrate and Kick Drill
Purpose: This drill helps the perimeter players work on penetrating the gaps in a zone and kicking to an open teammate when the gap is closed. Drill: The three offensive guards set up around the perimeter. The two defenders play as they would at the top of a zone. The drill can begin in any manner, however, for this diagram the drill begins with O1 passing to O2. O2 penetrates at the defense and kicks back out to O1. O1 then penetrates and kicks to O3. O3 would shoot if open, or if not, … [Read more...]
3 Line Competitive Basketball Shooting Drill
Purpose: To work on shooting in a competitive situation. Drill: Divide the squad into three groups; each with a basketball. Place three basketballs on the free throw line at the opposite end of the court. On 'go' signal, the first player in each group shoots a jump shot. If the shot is made, the player gets own rebound and shoots a layup. Each made basket is worth one point. If the shot is missed, the player must rebound the ball, pass to the next player in line, sprint to the … [Read more...]
3 High Sideline Play
The '3 High' sideline out of bounds play is a nice play to utilize when the basketball is taken out at about the free throw line extended or below. When the official hands the basketball to #1, #2 sets up his defender and then cuts hard across the lane to post up and receive the pass. (#2 might need to come out further to get the basketball; if so, then he can shuffle dribble into the post.) On the pass, #3 is using #4 and #5 to sell the weakside skip pass. After the pass, … [Read more...]
3 Across
This baseline out of bounds play can be run against zone defenses in order to get an open jump shot or layup. The flashes and misdirections create open scoring opportunities. O5 = post and inbounder O4 = post on ballside low block O3 = swing O2 = free throw shooter O1 = baseline shooter When the official hands the basketball to #5, #4 and #3 take two steps into the lane, jumping up and down calling for the ball. #1 heads to short corner. #2 counts three seconds to self … [Read more...]