Helena Frye
Basketball drills are exercises designed to improve players' skills and performance. They can be used by coaches to build championship-winning programs or by individual players to improve their game. Drills can be designed for youth, middle school, high school, college, or even NBA players. They can be performed individually or with a partner and can be tailored to focus on specific skills such as dribbling, passing, shooting, or footwork. Drills can also be made more enjoyable by adding competitive elements or making them fast-paced. Ultimately, basketball drills are an essential tool for any player or coach looking to improve their game and achieve success on the court.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of players | Individual drills or drills involving pairs or teams |
| Equipment | Baskets-balls, chairs, benches, cones |
| Focus | Dribbling, passing, shooting, footwork, lay-up, finishing, ball-handling, protecting the dribble, guarding, rebounding, offense, defense, transition |
| Pace | Slowed down or full speed |
| Repetition | Running through the same drill multiple times |
| Competition | Adding a competitive element |
| Stations | Players work at different stations for a few minutes at a time |
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Passing drills
One basic passing drill is the chest pass, which is the simplest and most used pass in basketball. To perform a chest pass, players start by placing their hands on each side of the ball and slightly behind it, with their fingers spread out comfortably. The ball is held in front of the chest with the elbows tucked in. Players then step in the direction of the pass, extending their knees, back, and arms to release the ball. On the follow-through, arms should be extended, palms facing down, and fingers pointing toward the target. This drill can be practiced with partners standing at varying distances to improve passing and receiving skills.
Another fundamental passing drill is the bounce pass, which is executed by bouncing the ball off the court into the hands of a teammate. This drill teaches players to properly time and execute a one-handed flick pass, which is useful when they are being closely guarded.
More advanced passing drills incorporate movement, randomness, and defenders. One such drill is "Monkey in the Middle," where two players pass to each other while a third player ("monkey") attempts to deflect or steal the ball. This drill teaches players to use fakes and pivots to create space for passing while also working on their defense.
Overall, passing drills are crucial for developing a player's ability to pass accurately and make smart decisions under pressure. By incorporating a variety of passing drills into their training, players can improve their skills, become more effective on the court, and contribute to their team's success.
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Shooting drills
When practising shooting drills, it is important to focus on your shooting form. This includes the fundamentals of shooting a basketball, such as posture, strength, stance, and power.
- Elbow pull-up drill: This drill is excellent for guards who want to work on their shooting form. Stand about 10 feet away from the hoop or a target on a wall. Extend your primary shooting arm so your elbow is level with your shoulder while holding the ball.
- Short- to long-range shooting drill: This drill enables guards to work on their shooting skills while getting some competitive, game-like experience. Start by having your opponent stand at the free-throw line while you stand at the top of the key. Your opponent will pass you the ball, and you will attempt to shoot the ball from short- to mid-range distances inside the three-point line as your opponent guards you. After each shot attempt, return to the top of the key with the ball and repeat until you’ve made 10 successful shots.
- Catch and shoot: This drill helps players improve their ability to shoot after receiving a pass. Start in the corner, with a coach or teammate throwing a bad pass. Try to catch the pass and make a shot, moving your feet to get behind the ball and keeping your motion smooth. Repeat the drill in the opposite corner, both wings, and the top of the key.
- Shooting from different spots: Shoot from 5 spots - the middle, each side, and then at an angle where you shoot off the backboard. Only count 'swishes' (when the net swishes) and focus on your form with each shot. Once you master this, move a foot back and try again.
- Shooting under pressure: Place 23 cones at the opposite end of the court and split your group into two teams. Each team should have one basketball and preferably a coach/parent to pass and rebound. Players start shooting on the coach’s whistle. On every make, the shooter must rebound the ball and pass it to the next person in line. The shooter is then ‘rewarded’ by sprinting to the other end of the floor and getting the opportunity to shoot a three-pointer to win a cone for their team.
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Dribbling drills
Basic Dribbling Movement Drill
This drill teaches the basics of dribbling to new players. Each player has a basketball and lines up on the baseline. If there are more than eight players, create two lines. The coach instructs the players to use different dribbling movements to dribble up to either the half-court line or the full court. This drill can be slowed down or modified to ensure players are using the correct fundamentals before increasing the speed.
Figure-8 Dribble Drill
Players dribble in a figure-8 pattern, focusing on maintaining control of the ball and using their fingertips to dribble. This drill improves ball handling and coordination.
Knock-Out Dribbling Drill
This is a fun and competitive drill that works on dribbling and ball protection. All players dribble in a small area, and the goal is to knock other players' basketballs out of the area while keeping your own ball alive. The coach determines the playing area, and as players get knocked out, the area is reduced in size. This drill encourages players to keep their heads up and maintain court awareness.
Dribble and Slide Drill
This drill focuses on dribbling while maintaining proper form and footwork. Players dribble the ball and are instructed to "step and slide, low and wide," ensuring their outside step foot points in the direction they are going. Players should avoid crossing their feet and keep their heads level.
One-Handed Flick Pass Drill
Players pair up and line up across from each other. One player has a ball and passes it to the other using a right-handed flick pass, snapping the wrist and releasing with one hand. They then switch to the left hand. This drill teaches proper passing technique and improves ball handling.
Dribble and Shoot Drill
Players line up on the baseline with a basketball. They perform a chest pass to the coach, then explode to the free-throw line to receive the ball back. After catching the ball with a jump stop, players pivot, square up to the basket, and shoot or attack the ring. This drill combines dribbling with shooting and helps players transition quickly from defence to offence.
It is important to vary the drills to keep players engaged and motivated. Coaches can also incorporate competitive elements or set up stations for players to rotate through, ensuring there is enough supervision to maintain proper form.
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Footwork drills
Footwork is a fundamental skill in basketball, and good footwork can improve a player's overall performance on the court. Footwork drills are an essential part of basketball practice as they help players improve their agility, balance, and coordination.
Basic Footwork Drills
Basic footwork drills are a great way to introduce players to the importance of footwork and can help them develop quick and light feet. These drills include simple lateral shuffles, front-back hops, and zig-zag movements. Players should focus on maintaining a good stance with their feet shoulder-width apart and their knees bent. It is important to emphasise quick and light movements rather than heavy and slow steps.
The U-Stance
The U-Stance is a fundamental position in basketball that can help players become a threat on offense and solid defenders. To achieve the U-Stance, players should position their feet shoulder-width apart with heels up, hips dropped back straight, chin on the shoulders, and head and eyes up for good court vision.
Jump-Stop and Pivot
The jump-stop is one of the most important footwork skills for players to master. This can be combined with pivot drills, such as the front pivot and the reverse pivot, to help players improve their overall footwork.
Agility Ladder Drills
Agility ladder drills are excellent for improving foot speed, control, landing coordination, balance, and forward and backward movement. These drills can be performed on a ladder or a staircase and are a great way to mimic on-court movements.
V-Cut
Learning the "V-Cut" is a great way to help players improve their offensive skills. This drill involves the player cutting sharply toward the corner, making a jump-stop, then doing a reverse pivot, and finally cutting to the block to make another V-cut.
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Rebounding drills
Basketball drills are an excellent way to improve your team's performance and build leadership, togetherness, and competitiveness. Rebounding drills, in particular, can help players develop the necessary skills and mindset for winning rebounds during games. Here are some detailed instructions for a few rebounding drills:
Tom Izzo's 5-on-5 Competitive Rebounding Drill:
This drill is designed to be highly competitive and improve players' offensive and defensive skills. The setup involves two teams, the Xs (defense) and the Os (offense). The Xs are positioned in the lane, while the Os are on the perimeter behind the 3-point line. A coach with a ball wanders the perimeter and can shoot from any spot at any time. When the coach prepares to shoot, the Xs run and box out the Os, who break to the boards. Teams get one point for a defensive or offensive rebound and another point for scoring. The first team to reach 10 points wins. This drill helps players understand the importance of positioning and timing in rebounding.
Rebounding Line Drill:
This is a simple yet effective drill that can be used at all levels. Players form a line at the elbow, and each player has a ball. The first player in line walks up to the block, throws the ball underhand off the backboard, and then jumps as high as possible to rebound the ball. This drill helps players improve their jumping ability, timing to grab the ball at the peak of their jump, getting their hands up, and chinning the ball. It also reinforces the importance of proper technique in rebounding.
Offensive Rebound and Score Drill:
In this drill, players work on their offensive rebounding skills. An offensive player grabs the rebound and tries to score by putting back the offensive rebound. The offensive team earns a point for the rebound and another point if they score. The offensive player is not allowed to pass to a teammate during the scoring attempt. This drill emphasizes the importance of second-chance opportunities and converting low-percentage shots into high-percentage scores.
Remember, rebounding is not just about skill but also determination and mental toughness. These drills will help your team develop the necessary skills and mindset to win rebounds and ultimately improve their overall performance in games.
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Frequently asked questions
Basketball drills are exercises designed to improve players' skills and performance in the game. They can be used to teach fundamentals, improve technique, and build teamwork.
Basketball drills can focus on a variety of skills, such as dribbling, passing, shooting, footwork, and ball-handling. For example, in one drill, players practice making chest passes to a coach, who then passes the ball back for them to shoot. Another drill involves players dribbling in a small area and attempting to knock each other's balls out while keeping their own ball alive.
Basketball drills can be designed for players of all ages and skill levels, from youth players to NBA professionals. Drills can be adapted to suit the needs of the players and the team.
Adding a competitive element or making drills fast-paced can help keep players engaged and motivated. Setting up stations or incorporating a variety of skills into one drill can also make drills more enjoyable for players.
