Special Note: This play originally appeared in the March 1974 edition of "The Coaching Clinic", a monthly publication published by Prentice-Hall, Inc. It was submitted by my dad, Jim Alfonso, back when he was a freshman boys coach (he is now retired after many successful years as a track coach, referee, and history/physical education teacher ... as well as being a successful husband and father!). Here is the "About the Author" as printed in the publication" Jim Alfonso is a graduate of … [Read more...]
Corner V-Cut for Shot Drill
Purpose: To work on moving without the basketball and getting open by use of a V-cut. Also works on catching and scoring via the shot or dribble. Drill: Player in corner, passer at top with a basketball. If this is a team drill, have a line in the corner and/or use multiple baskets. To begin, O1 makes a move to the baseline, pushes off with the foot closest to the baseline and then steps toward the passer to receive the pass. As O1 catches the ball, he can square and take the jump … [Read more...]
2-on-2 Screening Game
Purpose: To practice using and reading screens in a live, game-type situation with defenders. Drill: Two offensive players, two defensive players, and one coach or passer at the top. This is a live situation right from the start of the drill. The two offensive players can either downscreen or backscreen for each other in an attempt to get open. Ultimately, their objective is to score. If the ball is passed to the wing, the player down low can post up. If a shot is not available, they … [Read more...]
Post Feed Kick Out Shooting Drill
Purpose: This basketball shooting drill for perimeter players also develops several other fundamental skills such as feeding the low post, moving after passing to the low post, communication, and shooting quickly upon receiving a return pass. Drill: One line of players on the wing with a coach or manager in the low post. In our diagram, we demonstrate executing this drill on both sides of the floor. You can also use multiple baskets if available to keep the lines short. The drill starts … [Read more...]
Two Pick-and-Roll Introduction Drills
Purpose: To introduce the pick-and-roll technique to your players. To develop the skill of running the pick-and-roll within your offensive system. Pick and Roll Off the Dribble Drill: This introductory drill to the pick-and-roll is a 2-on-2 drill. Two offensive players start out at the top with two defenders guarding. In this drill, O1 starts by dribbling to his left. O2 sets the on-ball screen for O1 to the left side of the key. O1 changes direction to run her defender into O2. O1 must now … [Read more...]
Elbow Pass & Go Behind Drill
Purpose: To help the perimeter player learn to react when his defender slides below the high post player expecting the guard to cut all the way to the basket. Drill: O1 on the wing with the basketball; O2 on the weakside low block. If you need several players per basket, have a line at each spot. O2 flashes to the ballside elbow and receives the pass from O1. O1 takes a couple of steps toward the basket to set up his defender and then cuts behind O2 who passes the ball back and provides a … [Read more...]
Dribble Screen Handoff Drill
Purpose: To teach the skill of executing a dribble handoff within your offensive system. To help players develop scoring ability in a two-man game. Drill: Form two lines as shown. O1 has the basketball. O1 dribbles low with the outside hand (right hand) toward O2's defender. When O1 gets about 5 feet from the defender, O2 fakes to his right by taking a hard step or two and then cuts by O1 for the handoff. O2 dribbles in for a layup. After the layup, the next group of two performs the drill. … [Read more...]
Using the Dribble-Drive to Enhance Your Offense
Introduction Why Coaches Hate the Dribble but Need to Embrace It I've seen a lot of coaches who absolutely HATE the dribble and I don't disagree that over dribbling is an issue. The problem, however, isn't the dribble itself but how the dribble is used. The problem is that many players don't know how to use the dribble correctly. They dribble the ball east and west, put it between their legs 45 times, and really don't go anywhere. Or they take the dreaded one dribble pick up. These uses of … [Read more...]
Pass and Screen the Ball Drill
Purpose: To teach how to follow your pass and set an on-ball screen. To learn to use an on-ball screen to create a shot opportunity. Drill: Form 2 lines anywhere on the court. The diagram shows one line at the top and the other line on the wing. If you want this offensive action incorporated into your offense, place the lines where your players will be. Players in line 1 have a basketball. The first player in line passes to the first player in line 2 and sets a screen for him. O2 fakes to … [Read more...]
Dribble Follow Drill
Purpose: To teach players the proper offensive spacing, ball handling, and cutting for motion offenses. If you run a motion offense where you have a player follow and replace another player who has dribbled away, this drill will give your players a couple of options to score. Drill 1 (Give Back and Go): O1 begins on the wing with a basketball. O2 starts in the corner on the same side of the floor. O1 will dribble hard to the top while O2 cuts high to replace. O1 will stop at the top, pivot … [Read more...]