Andrew Pace
Basketball is a dynamic and challenging sport that requires a combination of skills, strategy, and teamwork. To excel in basketball, players and coaches often turn to drills as a crucial tool for improving performance. Drills are designed to be practiced repeatedly, helping athletes refine their techniques, sharpen their decision-making abilities, and build muscle memory. The question arises: should these drills be performed before or after the actual basketball game? The answer depends on various factors, including the specific drill types, the goals of the team or individual, and the overall structure of the training session or match day routine.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Drills | 22, 30, 73, 100, 150, 200 |
| Type of Drills | Individual, Partner, Competitive, Game-Like, Overload, Youth, Fundamental, Fun, Warm-up, Defensive, Offensive, Footwork, Passing, Dribbling, Shooting, Finishing, Rebounding, Special Situations |
| Who are the Drills for? | Youth, Middle School, High School, College, Coaches, Players |
| Drill Equipment | Cones, Tennis Balls |
| Purpose of Drills | To improve skills, teach fundamentals, motivate and challenge players, improve footwork, improve shooting, improve passing, improve dribbling, improve finishing, improve rebounding, improve defense, improve offense, improve screening, improve reading/using screens, improve fitness, improve stamina, improve agility, improve technique, improve balance, improve coordination, improve confidence, improve rhythm |
| How to Perform Drills | With purpose, focus, and correct form, at full speed, with a defender, without a defender, with a partner, by yourself, with correct footwork, with correct technique, with correct pivoting, with correct jumping, with correct stance, with correct hand and elbow positioning, with correct passing, with correct catching, with correct shooting, with correct rebounding, with correct blocking, with correct attacking, with correct progression, with correct special situations |
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What You'll Learn
Warm-up drills
Lay-up Drill
This classic warm-up has been used since the inception of basketball. It involves two lines of players, a "shooting" line and a "rebounding" line. The first shooter dribbles and shoots a lay-up, with the rebounder then rebounding and passing to the next shooter. After a few minutes, the lines switch, allowing for left-handed lay-ups. This drill can be adapted with two balls or by incorporating reverse and inside-hand lay-ups.
Passing and Pivoting Drill
This drill focuses on passing and pivoting skills. Players form four lines around a square created by four cones, with each line starting with a basketball. When the coach calls "go," each player dribbles towards the middle cone, performs a jump stop, pivots, and passes to the next line before joining the end of that line. The coach can vary the type of pivot and passing direction.
Chase Down Layups Drill
This drill teaches players to finish layups at full speed under pressure. It involves two lines of players, one offensive and one defensive, with a basketball at the front of each offensive line. The coach brings the offensive player out from the baseline, giving them an advantage over the defender. The offensive player aims to score a layup while the defender tries to catch them before they do.
Shooting Competition Drill
Players line up in a straight line behind the free-throw line, with the first two players holding a basketball. The first player shoots, and if they make it, they rebound and pass to the next player. If they miss, they must rebound and score quickly. The second player can start shooting as soon as the first player has shot. If the player behind scores before the player in front, the player in front is out. This drill continues until there is one winner left.
Individual Shooting Drill
This drill helps players practice their shooting without defenders. It can be done with a partner who rebounds and provides visual cues. Players can work on their shooting form, rhythm, and confidence.
These warm-up drills not only prepare the body for the physical demands of basketball but also help players develop fundamental skills and game-like reactions. They can be adapted and varied to suit the needs and abilities of the players.
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Footwork drills
Drills are an essential part of basketball training, and footwork is a key skill to master for peak performance on the court. Footwork drills can be incorporated into shooting drills and are fundamental to a player's overall performance on both offense and defense.
The U-Stance
This stance is considered fundamental to basketball, unlocking a player's potential on offense and defense. The U-Stance involves feet at shoulder width, with heels up and hips dropped back. The player should maintain a straight back, with their chin on their shoulders, and head and eyes up for optimal court vision.
Jump Stops and Pivots
This is a great drill for coaches to introduce jump stops and pivots to beginner players. It requires players to perform a jump stop, front pivot, and reverse pivot. Once these basics are mastered, more advanced drills can be introduced.
Shooting Drill with Footwork
This drill incorporates footwork into a shooting drill. Players start on the baseline in two lines, with coaches or parents at the top of the key. Each player has a basketball and performs a chest pass to the coach, then explodes to the free-throw line. After receiving the ball back from the coach, the player must jump-stop, pivot, and square up to the basket before shooting.
Cone Drill
This drill helps teach different kinds of pivots and is a fun one for players. Coaches set up four cones in a large square in the half-court, with another cone in the middle. Players are split into four groups, each starting at a cone with a basketball. The coach calls out a direction and type of pivot, and players dribble towards the middle cone, jump-stop, pivot, and pass to the next player in line.
Tips for Running Drills
It is important to remember that each drill should have a purpose, and coaches should ensure players are performing each aspect correctly. Drills should also be fun and competitive to keep players motivated and engaged. Small-sided games can also be incorporated to enhance skill development.
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Passing drills
One basic passing drill is the partner pass and pivot drill. In this drill, players work with a partner to practice passing and pivoting techniques. Each player has a basketball and takes turns passing to their partner, who then pivots and passes back. This drill helps players improve their passing accuracy and coordination.
Another drill is the 3v2 passing game, which adds a competitive element to passing practice. Three players pass the ball among themselves while trying to avoid two defenders. This drill helps players improve their passing skills under pressure and teaches them to create space and make quick decisions.
For more advanced passing drills, coaches can introduce dynamic game-based drills that simulate game-like situations. One such drill is "Bull in the Ring," where defenders try to intercept passes. This drill helps players read the defense and make good passes away from defenders. Another drill is "Argentina Passing," which focuses on communication and accurate passing without travelling.
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Game-like drills
Game-based drills are an excellent way to teach basketball skills as they are fun and better simulate what actually happens in a game. They also provide unlimited teaching moments during practice.
Pass Tag Drill
This is a fun passing drill that is great for warming up and building teamwork. It teaches players communication and the importance of developing a strategy.
10 In A Row Passing Drill
This drill improves passing, spacing, and moving without the ball. As players get better, it starts to resemble running an offense.
Position Sealing
An intense and competitive drill that teaches players how to seal, improve angles, and watch the player, not the ball.
Ultimate Passing
This drill improves passing, spacing, footwork, and decision-making. It is a fun drill that can be used at every level, from second grade to high school.
Overload Drills
Overload drills make practice tougher for players than an actual game. For example, playing 3-on-3 eliminates the defense's ability to rely on help, creating an overload situation. These drills force players to execute perfectly before completion.
Fast-Break Situation Drill
In this drill, players attempt to score quickly (in 3 passes or less), simulating a real fast-break situation. Players move the ball up the court by passing, not dribbling. This is a great opportunity to work on passing in transition and assess players' skills in both offense and defense.
Competitive Shooting Drill
Players form three lines a couple of feet out from the basket and take turns shooting, aiming to swish each shot through the net. This teaches players how to shoot with enough arc and helps coaches teach and correct shooting form.
Pressure Drill
All players form one line at the free-throw line. Players take turns shooting free throws, and when a player makes a free throw, the person behind them is put under pressure. If they miss, they're out of the game. This continues until there's a winner.
Ball-Handling Drill
All players dribble in a small area and attempt to knock other players' basketballs out of the area while keeping their own basketball alive. This drill works on ball-handling and protecting the dribble.
Shell Drill
This drill puts an emphasis on post defense and how the post defender is positioned. It also works on how perimeter players shade the post to discourage post feeds and how and when to double-team the post.
Rebounding Drill
A coach shoots the basketball, and the defenders block out the offense while they fight the block out to get to the offensive rebound. This drill gets defenders to box out hard and teaches offensive rebounders to fight through blockouts.
Offensive Transition Drill
Offensive players are positioned at the 10-second line, and defenders are placed accordingly to create angles and timing. The coach passes to one of the offensive lines, and the defender slows the basketball in conversion. For scoring, players are split into squads of 2, earning 1 point for a score and 2 points for a stop, incentivizing players to attack the basket in transition.
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Drills for individual players
Drills are an essential part of basketball training, helping players to improve their skills and get better at the game. While some drills require a partner, there are many that can be done by individual players. These drills can focus on a variety of skills, such as dribbling, passing, footwork, finishing, and shooting.
One such drill is the pivot and pass drill. In this drill, players line up in four groups around a square, with each player holding a basketball. The coach calls out a direction and type of pivot, and the players dribble towards the middle, perform a jump stop, pivot, and then pass to the next line. This drill helps players work on their dribbling, pivoting, and passing skills.
Another drill that can be done individually or with a partner is the chest pass drill. Players start by making a chest pass to the coach, who is standing in front of them. The player then quickly moves to the free-throw line, where the coach passes the ball back. The player must then catch the ball, pivot using the correct technique, and square up to the basket before shooting or attacking the ring. This drill helps players work on their passing, pivoting, and shooting skills.
For players who want to work on their shooting, there is a drill where they form three lines a few feet out from the basket. Each player has a basketball and takes turns shooting, aiming to swish each shot through the net. This teaches players how to shoot with the correct arc and improve their shooting form.
Additionally, for players who want to improve their layups, there is the chase down layup drill. This drill involves two lines of players, one offensive and one defensive, at each end of the floor. The coach starts the drill by bringing the offensive player out from the baseline, giving them an advantage over the defender. The offensive player then tries to finish the layup at full speed while being pressured by the defender.
These are just a few examples of the many drills that individual basketball players can use to improve their skills and become better players. It is important to focus on the little things and ensure that each drill is performed with a purpose to maximize improvement.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that you start with a good warm-up, then spend 20-60 minutes on skills (including dribbling, passing, footwork, finishing, and shooting), and then split up the rest of the practice based on your team's needs and what you feel is important.
It is important to ensure that each drill has a purpose and that players are executing each aspect correctly. Adding a competitive twist or making drills fast-paced can help keep players motivated and engaged.
There are many different basketball drills that can be done, depending on the specific skills you want to focus on. Some examples include passing drills, shooting drills, dribbling drills, and defensive drills.
You can incorporate overload drills, which make practices tougher than actual games. For example, you can create overload situations by playing small-sided games such as 3-on-3 or 4-on-5.
When running defensive drills, focus on the little things such as ensuring players maintain a wide base, keep their hands out, maintain good balance, and keep their butt down. Additionally, incorporating competitive game-like drills can help players develop their skills in more realistic situations.
