Purpose: Develop post passing skills and teach patience with the basketball. Drill: When a player receives the basketball, he has a total of 12 seconds until he must get rid of it. He has 4 seconds once he catches the ball, 4 seconds to dribble the ball, and 4 more seconds after he picks up his dribble. This drill teaches the 4-4-4 concept in closely guarded situations. The drill starts with a player receiving a pass on the wing. (The defense allows the pass to be caught and then plays tight … [Read more...]
Partner Pass and Move Passing Drill
Purpose: To teach passing and catching skills while moving to get open, such as in a game situation. Drill: Players should get into pairs with a basketball and a court area of about 15-20 feet diameter (basically a 1/4 of a halfcourt area). To start the drill, the player without the ball will make a move to get open (v-cut, l-cut, etc). He will receive the pass, square up to the passer and get into a triple-threat position. The passer then becomes the receiver and makes a move to get open. … [Read more...]
Weak Hand Post Feed Passing Drill
Purpose: To develop weak-hand passing fundamentals and skill when passing to the low post. To develop proper catching techniques in the post. Drill: Passer feeds the post with the weak hand. Passer should always feed the post on the baseline side. The catcher (post player) should always receive the ball with feet parallel. Repeat for desired number of passes/catches and switch sides. Also switch passer/receiver positions. Variations: Have the players use the bounce pass, one-handed … [Read more...]
Outlet Pass and Go Drill
Purpose: Work on passing and outlet passing, conditioning, finishing (layup). Drill: This drill needs a minimum of 10 players to perform (12+ works even better). Place at least two rebounders at each basket and at least two shooters at each hash mark. Also place a passer on each side of the halfcourt circle. The drill begins with each rebounder tossing the ball off the backboard, rebounding, and then turning and making an outlet pass to the first player in line at the hash (who has stepped … [Read more...]
Team Post Passing Drill
Purpose: This drill emphasizes teamwork, coordination, timing, and good communication. Players develop post passing and outlet passing skills and are forced to see the entire floor. Drill: Players will form two lines at the top, as shown, with a player on each block and a player on each wing. The first player in each line has a basketball. The first player in each line passes to the wing player on their side of the court. Each wing player will then pass to the post player using a bounce or … [Read more...]
Bull in the Ring Drill
Purpose: To develop the skill of passing against one or two defenders. Drill: Players will form groups of four; 3 passers and one defender. (See variation below for other option). Use any circle on the court such as the free throw circle or center jump circle. Each group will also need one basketball. In the diagram, the top part demonstrates this drill while the bottom demonstrates the variation. The three offensive players must always be touching the circle with one foot while playing … [Read more...]
5-Man Weave
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...]
Two Ball Line Passing Drill
Purpose: To develop passing skills, peripheral vision, and quick hands. Drill: Line up players as shown with one player out in front of the line. The player in front, O1, has a ball and the first player in the line has a ball. Player O1 begins by passing to the second player in line; at the same time, the first player in line passes to O1. O1 catches and passes to the third player, while the second player passes back to O1. This continues down the line and back. Rotate. Coaching Points: Be … [Read more...]
Target Passing Drill
Purpose: To practice making accurate chest and bounce passes. Excellent passing drill for youth and beginners and can be a very competitive drill of more experienced players. Drill: Make two 18-inch squares on a wall with tape. The left square should be about 4 four feet up from the floor and the right square should be three feet away from it and about two to three feet up on the wall. The player will stand about 10-12 feet from the wall and make a chest pass into the left box and then a bounce … [Read more...]
Rebound and Outlet Drill
Purpose: To learn proper rebounding and outlet passing techniques. Drill: Player 'R' is the rebounder and begins this drill by tossing the basketball against the backboard and rebounding it. The coach should make sure the rebounder 'chins' the ball and that he does not bring the ball down after rebounding it. Upon rebounding the ball, the player will pivot toward the outlet player and step toward him, executing a two-handed overhead pass. Player 'O' should catch and face towards his basket … [Read more...]