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Basketball drills

  • Four pylons, rows with 1 ball.
  • Player with ball dribbles to the middle, jump-stops, pivots (right foot, turns to the right) and passes.
  • Connect behind in row to which you pass.
  • Variation:
  • Pivot to left and pass.
  • Observations:
  • Make a good jump stop.
drawing Warming up: pass, jump stop
  • Create square, 3 against 2.
  • Team of 3 must pass X times without dribbling.
  • Points of attention:
    • Pivot well, protect the ball, pass well, stay calm.
    • If someone gives bad pass (arc pass) then whole team push up.
  • Start at the centre line with 3 x 2.
  • Attackers may only pass and lay-up from a pass.
  • Variations:
    • Bounce pass only.
  • If attackers don't score, or pass poorly --> push up.
  • Let defenders stand a few times, work together.
  • Divide players into groups of 5.
  • Normally we have 2 or 3 baskets available.
  • For example, every 7 minutes turn over, first center explanation. (most guidance on the dribbling skills needed)
  • Station 1. (Basket 1)
    • 3x2 play from the center line without dribbling (only passing, free running, pivoting)
  • Station 2. (basket 2)
    • 1x1 play (substitution, attacker becomes defender, occasionally change the order to get different match-ups, 1-shot attempt or under time pressure to keep up the momentum)
  • Station 3. (Basket 3 - if available)
    • Shooting exercise: 5 positions on edge of bucket (low, elbow, free throw line, elbow low).
    • 1 player shoots, others catch and pass the ball (1 shot per position, highest score of the group)
  • Station 4 dribbling skills. (1-2 pawns)
    • Over the pylon (do not take it with you, keep control, from left to right, 1 hand behind your back)
    • Lift the pylon with the left, dribble with the right (throw the pylon, catch it with the other hand)
    • Left/right and touch pylon (timer, counting) - hand that releases the ball must touch pylon (low position, defend the ball)
    • 2 pawns, dribble left, touch right
    • 2 cones (8 dribble with 1 hand)
  • Station 5 dribbling skills. (row of pawns)
    • Slalom around the pawns, low dribble, back and forth (tempo)
    • Variant: low dribble, feet on both sides of the pawns, cross after every pylon.
    • Low dribble, always touching the according pawns.
    • Stay in control, stay on the same side. (dribble left, touch pylon with right)
  • 5 against 5 half field. (Depending on turnout, at 20 and 3 baskets possibly)
  • Especially explanation to U12-2.
  • Sometimes stop, whistle, explain:
    • Run.
    • Second dribble.
    • Free running.
    • Playing together.
    • Pivoting.
  • Defending (own man, not running to the ball, running back, taking the ball after scoring).
  • Slalom around the pawns. (low dribble)
  • Over the bank:
    • Low dribble on the ground, cross over.
  • Drive by cones:
    • Dribble with the left and touch each cone with the right.
  • Push-ups/abdominal thrusts on the middle line.
  • Layup.
drawing Warming up: round with assignments
  • You set up a course with pawns, benches.
  • Pawns:
    • Slalom
  • Benches:
    • Walking and dribbling.
  • Passing to the other side.
  • At each part someone is ready to start.
  • You pass the ball from a distance to the next person.
  • Setup:
    • Per 2 or 3 players a basket.
  • Execution: (with 1 hand! other hand on back)
    • Explanation of shot, shoot from the legs, wrist turn, 1 hand, backspin ball.
    • 1 meter from the basket, 1 shooter, 1-2 rebounder.
    • Shoot 3 times, then switch.
    • Then 2 meters.
    • Then side. (through the board)
    • Then side a little further away.
  • Everyone a ball and distribute along the length of the field.
    • Dribble back and forth (jump stop, pivot across, or keep dribbling)
  • Variations:
    • Dribble left back, right back.
    • Tap lines along the way.
    • On the way 5x push ups, 10 abs, 30 sec taps.
    • Low dribble (fast left/right), high dribble with hop, backwards.
    • Between legs, behind the back, turn on axis.
  • Stationary:
    • Through legs (step out, dribble, step back), 8-step low dribble.
  • Rows of 5-6 men, 2 per basket, 1 ball per row.
  • Throw ball against the board, next player catches and throws again immediately against the board.
  • U12-2 must catch ball in the air.

free-running

  • Breaking free, learning in/out, 5 out (keep moving).
  • Free with defender, receive ball and score.
  • 2x2, also possible with 3x3, 4x4 (vests), trainer passes (or good player).



  • Everyone a ball
    • Outward zigzag dribble around cones
    • Midline backline sprint/dribble
    • Side/slides over the back line
    • Back various commands (Crabwalk, backwards dribble, between the legs)
    • 5x push-ups, abs on midline
    • Finish with lay-up or shot from the hoop
  • Start slowly as a warming-up
  • Then faster and faster (keep distance)
  • Coach lining up on the way back to give different assignments
drawing Warming up drill with zig/zag dribble