Purpose: To practice and shooting. Also a good pre-practice and/or pre-game warm-up drill. Drill: The drill begins with four lines in the corners of the half court. Lines should have equal number of players. The ball starts in O1's position. O1 passes to O2 with a chest pass. O2 passes to O3 with a bounce pass. O3 passes to O4 with a skip pass, and O4 passes to O1 with a short bounce pass or a flip pass. After O1 makes the pass, he steps towards the middle and then cuts hard, timing his … [Read more...]
3 Line Layups
Here is a nice layup drill that can be useful as a warm-up such as in early practice or pre-game. It incorporates finishing with a layup, obviously, but also helps with passing and outlet passing. 1 passes to 2, 1 and 2 cannot start running until after passing the ball 3 can start running after 1 has passed the ball 2 passes to 3 3 passes to 1 for a lay-up and clears to the opposite side for the outlet pass 1 clears out after shooting the lay-up 2 rebounds the … [Read more...]
By the Ear Passing Drill
Purpose: To teach the concept of passing the basketball 'by the ear' and to develop the basketball players ability to make the pass through defensive pressure. Passing 'by the ear' works nearly every time if performed correctly. For example, a low ball fake gets the defender to drop his arm. Bringing the ball back and then passing 'by the ear' of the defender is virtually unstoppable. As defenders, we are not used to or comfortable having our hands up by our ears. Therefore, a pass zipped right … [Read more...]
4 Passes Drill
Purpose: To improve passing, communicating, and conditioning. Drill: Players form three lines; one at a baseline and two lines at about the free throw line extended on the same side of the court. The 4 Passes Drill is performed as follows: O1 tosses ball off backboard, rebounds it, throws an outlet pass to O2, then sprints down the lane line to the opposite basket. O2 turns and throws a baseball pass to O3. O3 throws a bounce pass to O1, who is sprinting from the other end. After making … [Read more...]
Short and Long Passing Drill
Purpose: To work on short passes and long passes in a game speed setting. Also develops concentration and focus. Drill: Form two lines on the baseline at the lane lines as shown. Each player in one line has a basketball. The first two players begin by passing the ball back and forth without dribbling or traveling. When they reach the opposite baseline, they come back on the outside, making longer passes. Once a group of two passes the free throw line, the next group begins. Concentration and … [Read more...]
Rapid-Fire Solo Passing Drill
Purpose: To develop the chest pass, overhead pass, and baseball pass. Also develops and improves hand/eye coordination, wrist and arm strength, quickness in passing, and catching hard passes. Drill: The drill begins with the player standing about 2 feet away from a wall or toss-back machine. The player throws a hard chest pass against the wall and continues throwing it against the wall in a rapid-fire manner. While continuing to pass the ball, he should gradually back up until he's about 10 … [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...]
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...]