43Drills

6 or more players with each player a ball.

Player 1 and 4 start the drill by shooting a free throw. After the free throw they rebound there own ball.

They don’t go for the rebound until the ball has touched the rim, or they made the basket. In this way you make sure that the shot has had a good finish.

After the rebound the players dribble to the corner and from the corner to the midline where they change direction to go behind the other group.

Variations.
All kinds of variations are possible in the dribble.
With more players you can change dribble distance so the waiting time at the free throw line won’t be to long.

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
1:30 Free Throw Drill

Pair up players and set the clock to 1:30. The first partner begins shooting their free throws. This player must make three in a row to complete their part of the drill. The partner rebounds the ball back to the shooter.

Once the partner finishes making three shots in a row then the second partner shoots. This player must also make 3 free throws in a row. The second partners’ time will depend on the amount of time used up by the first shooter. The 2 combined only get 1:30.

If they don’t complete the drill on time, the drill is repeated until they finish.

Use all available baskets.
Divide team among all the baskets.
Players are to shoot free throws.

If they miss the first, they are to run 2 wind sprints, running at game speed.
If they hit the first and miss second they are to run one wind sprint.

As added measure if they shoot air ball they are to double the number being run.

Reason for name of integrity is players have to have enough integrity to run the number they are to run and run at game speed.

6 or more players
1 to 3 balls

Setup:
Drill starts with players in positions marked.

Player (4) dribbles to basket for lay-up.

(4) takes the rebound, throws an outlet pass to (1) who skips pass across to (2).

Each passer follows the ball.

On (2) receiving ball, and NOT before, (5) makes a cut from the line.

(2) makes chest pass to (3) who puts little bounce push pass into the cutter for the lay-up.

Everyone follows his or her pass and you can see that as (3) passed to the cutter than he/she goes to the end of the cutters line.

This is quite a simplistic drill but gets better as you add balls to the line.

I have run this drill for 10 years and use 3 balls to keep everyone on their toes.

This drill teaches:
Passing - outlet, skip (overhead), chest and push.
Timing - the basis to any structured offense, the cutter does no leave until the strong side wing receives the ball.
Conditioning - watch them run.

6 or more players 4 balls.

This drill start by dribbling to the opposite site of the court at the extended top of the 3 point line. The players cut to the the corner of the bucket. They make a jumpstop and take a jump shot.

After taking the shot the players rebound the ball and give an outlet pass to the player without the ball.

The player receiving the ball from the outlet pass must wait behind the baseline until the ball is rebounded.

Variations.
Lay-ups
shot from the other side.

Player 1 passes to either wing (Player 2 in diagram), and then runs to touch side line. Player 2 passes ball to Player 3, and runs to touch side line.

Player 3 completes lay-up. Pass should be timed so that Player 3 does not need to dribble.

After shooting lay-up, player 3 runs to opposite side line. Player 1 rebounds shot (it must not hit the floor) and passes to Player 2. Player 1 then runs to side line. Player 2 does lay-up.

After Player 2 shoots lay-up, they run to opposite side line. Player 3 rebounds (ball must not hit floor) and passes to Player 1 for lay-up.

Player 2 rebounds and outlets to Player 3. The players then return to mid-court.

Alternatively, passive defence can be added.

10 or 8 players / 4 balls
6 players / 2 balls

All players take the position of their predecessor, while rotating.

While moving 3/7 get the ball, make a fast dribble and a lay-up.
4/8 get the rebound and give an outlet pass to the top of the bucket (1/5).
At the same time 2/6 start, catch the ball in the air and without making travelling begin their dribble and make the lay-up.
The outlets (1/5) take their positions

This can also be played without a rebounder. 3/7 should take their own rebound and pass the ball to the top

Variantion: stop + shot
or stop + rocker step
or lay in (no dribble within 3 point area)

For this drill 8 or more players and 2 or more balls are needed.

This drill start with a dribble to the middle line by player 1 and 5.

When add the middle line they pass to the corner and start cutting to the basket.

The pass can be given out of the dribble or after a jump stop on the middle line.

Player 3 and 7 pass the ball back to player 1 and 5 who will make a lay-up.

Player 3 and 7 will follow the ball for the rebound.

Player 3 and 7 will make the rebound and pass out to players 6 and 2 and follow to that corner.
Player 1 and 5 go to the corner of 4 and 8.

To speed up the drill use more balls.

Options:
This drill can be run with left and right-handed lay-ups.

Instead of the lay-up a jump shot can be taken outside the bucket area.

This is a basic defense that will work for almost any team. It promotes team work and help defense.

When the defense is initially set up, the 1 and 2 guards are at the free throw line. 3 and 4 are the wings, 5 is in the middle.

When the ball is passed to the right wing, the 2 and 4 players play the ball. 1 denies the cross court pass, 3 denies the high post and 5 denies the low post.

This is the base set up again.
If offensive player 1 tries to penetrate the defense, defenders 1 and 2 just close up and get side by side.

When the ball goes to the left wing the players rotate over. 1 and 3 are now on the ball and 2 denies the cross court pass, 4 denies the high post and 5 denies the low post.
Wherever the ball goes on the half court this defense will always look like a 2-3 zone. Two people will always be on the ball and the other 3 will be lined up.

2 - 3 Tandem

X1 picks ball up at half court
#2 protects against pass to high post
X3 and X4 straddle foul line 1ft. above block

NEVER LEAVE PASS PENETRATE FOUL LINE EXTENDED

X5 line up on broken circle > stop penetration to high post

Ball PASSED TO WING

X1 slides left to protect high post
X2 plays player with ball
X3 moves up lane with ball > cuts off passing lanes inside of foul line extended
X4 covers lane > plays in front of basket
X5 halfway position > assist with high post > cuts off any pass to low post

BALL PASSED IN LEFT CORNER

If offense dribbles out X2 automatically doubles with X3
X1 prevents pass to high post > plays arm and leg rule > look into basket
X4 covers lane > must rebound weak side
X5 prevents pass from corner > sink inside
X5 prevents pass to low post > plays arm and leg rule low post
X3 protects baseline > (bounces off baseline) > traps in corner