This baseline out of bounds play is best run against zone defenses. The initial action creates a lob opportunity that, if unavailable, leads into two downscreens to create an open shot. When the official hands the basketball to O1, O4 pops out to the ballside corner. O3 fades behind the zone on the weak side and O5 steps hard toward the passer. O2 acts as the safety outlet. For this play (unless O5 is open), we are looking to pass inbounds to O4. O4 quickly reverses the basketball … [Read more...]
Preseason Basketball Shooting Workout
Use this basketball shooting workout as a preseason workout for your players. It can even be used in the early season or during the season when you want to get in a good shooting session. Players can certainly perform this workout individually but if you have gym time and space available have all your players get involved. You can set it up in your before or after school training sessions ... just put 20:00 minutes on the clock and have your players get after it. Here it is... Preseason … [Read more...]
Spartan Ball Handling Workout
This basketball ball handling workout is a set of 5 drills that will greatly enhance a player's ability and confidence in handling the basketball. Several of the drills also have the player go through multiple moves or options. The 5 ball handling drills in the .pdf below are: Ball Wraps Wrist Rockers Between-the-Legs Walks Full Court Moves Kill Box Attacks View and/or download this ball handling workout now! Spartan Ball Handling Workout … [Read more...]
1-4 High Post Options Play
This basketball quick hitter from the 1-4 high set starts with a backdoor cut for a quick layup. If that is not available, the additional cuts and passing opportunities give the high post player multiple options to create a scoring opportunity. O1 initiates the play by passing to O5 at the elbow. O2 immediately cuts backdoor looking for a pass from O5. O4 drops down to the block area and, if O2 wasn't open for the backdoor pass, sets a screen for O2 as he cuts to the weakside three-point … [Read more...]
3 Player Triangle Shooting Drill
Purpose: To work on shooting in a team practice setting or when 3 players are training together. A simple shooting drill that allows you to get up a high number of shots in a short time. Drill: Split into groups of three with each group at their own basket. For our example diagram, we are shooting from the elbows. One player starts on the left elbow, one on the right elbow, and one in rebounding position. The rebounder and one of the elbow shooters each have a basketball. Drill begins … [Read more...]
High-Low Post Play Kick Out Options
This High-Low Post Play can be run as a set play against a zone defense or, if you allow more freedom on offense, it can be a breakdown drill to teach your players where to move against a zone when they don't have the basketball. It can be run to either side ... in our diagram we are starting with O1 passing to O2 on the right. O4 flashes to the ballside elbow and O2 passes him the basketball. O4 looks first for O5 sealing the defender behind him, then for his own shot. If O5 is not … [Read more...]
Box Cross Screen Play
This simple baseline out of bounds play is often quite effective at getting a layup. When the official hands the basketball to O1, O3 cuts to opposite side of lane and screens O5's defender. (O3 should also turn to basket as he sets the screen). O5 runs his defender into O3 and then cuts across the lane. If the screen is effective and there is no switch, O5 will be open to receive the pass from O1 for the layup. If the defenders switch, O3 can step in, seal the defender on his back … [Read more...]
Anticipation and Help Drill
Purpose: To help defensive players improve their anticipation and rotation to help on penetration. Drill: 2 offensive players and 2 defenders. Also 2 'penetrators, one in each corner and 2 coaches or passers. One basketball. The two coaches/passers position themselves at the deep wing area. The two unguarded 'penetrators' are in the corners and the remaining four players go two-on-two against each other. The drill begins with the two offensive players going live against the two … [Read more...]
Free Throw Knockout Game
Purpose: To practice pressure-filled, competitive free throw shooting. Also a drill/game that is a great way to end practice. Drill: Players line up around the free throw lane. The goal of the Free Throw Knockout Game is to eliminate players one at a time until there is only one player left. Each player will rotate through and shoot one free throw at a time. A player is eliminated when he misses the free throw and the player behind him makes his. A player can only be eliminated if the … [Read more...]
Pass Back Shooting Drill
Purpose: To work on perimeter and mid-range shooting, specifically after passing and stepping in to receive a return pass and take the jump shot. Drill: Passer on the wing. One line at the top, first two players in line have a basketball. The first player in line passes to the coach on the wing, steps in with a 1-2 step, receives the return pass and shoots the basketball. Player should rebound his own shot and return it to next player in line. Switch to other side for next time … [Read more...]