Basketball drills

Prerequisites:

players must know how to apply help side and ball side defense

Goal: to learn each defense system

Organization:

• a team can get a point with a defensive stop, with a score from a fast break or with a three-pointer from the secundary break
• (stopping the break by capturing the ball counts as a defensive stop)
• winner is the team that earns the last point OR, if no one earns a point, the team that scores
• the winner may always go and defend
• new attackers enter the field

Teaching Points:

all aspects of team defense

Tips:

• defending the break is also part of this exercise. That is why the three-pointer from the secondary break is also a point. This forces all players to defend after losing the ball in the attack.
• If the break is not executed quickly, blow it off. This will improve the speed at which the players react.

Note: The illustration shows the situation after a score from a break. The defenders first made a stop and then scored from the (secundary) break. So, two points. They therefore continue to defend and new attackers have entered the field

Prerequisites:

players must know what a double team is

Goal:

• to train double teaming
• dynamic organizing and reorganizing of the defense
• practice transition

Organization:

• 3 players attack along the length of the whole field
• 3 attackers start at the half way line
• 3 defenders per half
• of both defending teams one player takes up position near the half way line
• defender 6 waits near the halfway line
• can only start defending when the ball is in the attacking half
• must sprint with both feet through the centre circle before joining the defence
• from that moment on, two defenders must always try to double team the man with the ball

Rotation after scoring:

• the defender closest to the half way line immediately takes up his position next to the pitch
• attackers must take the ball from the back line
• the three remaining defenders try to prevent this (5 seconds)
• if that does not work, they have to try to trap the dribbler with a double team
• if the defenders capture the ball, they immediately attack the same basket again (like in a Full Court Press in a game)
• the fourth defender joins the defense (i.e. the other three) immediately after the turnover

Rotation after the turnover:

• the player with the ball in his hands hands hands it off to another player and takes up his position near the center line.
• the three remaining players attack the other basket
• the team that has lost the ball defends.

Teaching Points:

defenders always try to conquer the ball with a double team.

Variation:

can also be played 3 against 3 + 1 half court: after a score the attackers have to take the ball and get it over the half court 1

Prerequisites:

players must know what help side defense and what ball side defense is

Goal: train early help and quick recovery

Organisation:

• the three defenders stand facing the back line and take up their defensive positions as soon as the coach passes
• coach passes the ball to a random attacker
• the attackers have 10 seconds to score and the coach counts down aloud
• play until the 3 stops or a difference of 2 (stops scores), then change
• screens on the ball are not allowed

Teaching Points:

• defenders must move when the ball is in the air
• occupy the agreed-upon helper position
• stop the penetration when the man with the ball passes his defender
• anticipate the swing pass: take the first step towards your own man even before or as soon as the passer picks up the ball
• Communication as agreed within the team

Variations:

attackers are only allowed to score from the bucket.

Variation with more competition element:

• attacker with ball starts at 2 meter of the three-point-line; place to be determined by the team.
• must start with a dribble
• the defenders may turn around at the first dribble
• the attackers must make a goal attempt within 20 seconds - the waiting players count down
• you can only earn points in defense
• two stops in a row are one point
• if you score twice in a row, you may go on defense
• Losers turn out
• new attackers turn in
• play until the 3

Requirements:

• players must individually be able to defend the man with the ball
• players must know how to defend the man without the ball

Goal: To apply individual defensive technique in a simplified game situation

Organization:

• attackers use a quarter of the playing field
• are not allowed to cross the lifeline
• play 2 against 2
• winners will attack on the other half of the field
• losers keep on defending on this quarter (when there are more than 8 players, turn in at the halfway line)

Teaching Points:

• emphasise what you have taught the players individually
• there is no help (this makes it clear who is not defending well).

Variations:

• let the defender keep their hands behind their back if you want to emphasise footwork In the picture:
• Defenders 1 and 2 have conquered the ball without allowing attackers 1 and 2 to score
• defenders 1 and 2 attack on the other half of the pitch
• 5 and 6 will enter as defenders and play against the winners of 3 and 4
• former attackers 1 and 2 wait for their turn to defend

Prerequisites:

players must know what help side defense and what ball side defense is

Goal: train early help and quick recovery

Organization:

• attacker 5 threatens with a drive outside, changes hands and attacks the elbow
• defender 1 starts with a foot in the bucket and needs to help early
• on the pass to the corner, defender 1 must recover his position with a sprint and close out
• defender 2 must drop far enough to stop a drive from 4
• the attackers must make a goal attempt within 20 sec - the waiting players count down
• you can only earn points in defence
• two stops in a row are one point
• if you score twice in a row, you may go on defense
• Losers turn out
• new attackers turn in
• play until the 3

Teaching Points:

• defenders must move when the ball is in the air
• the helper position is such that you can stop the penetration when the man with the ball passes his defender
• Anticipate the pass: take the first step towards your own man as soon as the dribbler picks up the ball
• Communication as agreed within the team
• close out = 2 sprint steps followed by minislides + lower hips + 1 hand up
• the helper position is below the line ball - you - man + chest parallel

Prerequisites:

players must be quite proficient and in good physical condition

Organization:

after one team has scored 2 times the defenders go out of the field the winners get the ball

Ends when one team has won 5 times.

Losers have to work very hard physically afterwards. They should know this in advance so they will do their utmost to not lose.

If the MTM is not intense enough then the coach will award a score to the offensive side

Losers: (= minute drill: 45 sec full, 15 sec rest)

For each point difference in the score:

• 4 sprints back and forth across the field
• Push-ups until signal of the trainer
• 15 sec rest (players who lost by 1 point difference are finished)
• 4 sprints + sit ups until signal of the trainer
• 15 sec rest (players who lost by 2 points are finished)
• etc

If you are with 8 players:

• the two players who turn in ask one of the players who got out to join them
• players then count individually the number of times won

Two players throw the ball to each other, the ball may bounce. To make it more difficult the bouncing can be omitted. Also vary the distance.

The players stand in a circle and throw the ball to each other. They are not allowed to touch the ground. Try this with a player in the middle who is trying to intercept. If the ball is intercepted, the player who threw the ball stands in the middle.

Passer calls out a number - As soon as the passer has the ball in - after a certain time and the shooter runs to his hands, he calls out change, shooter becomes that spot to shoot from there again a number, at which passer and passer becomes shooter. the shooter again from that shooter. Remembering the scores.

Shooter catches own concerning the spot shoots. rebound and passes back

Show a "target" with your hands so the passer knows where you want the ball;

Stop correctly, for a rhythm stop let the inside foot land first and the old foot catch up. At a jump stop, the stop should actually not be audible. After the stop, jump straight up and come down in exactly the same place as you hit the ball

Walking into the ball, the pass is caught with 2 feet off the ground (in the run), ball is set if you catch it while already standing still

Feet pointing to the basket when you shoot. The landing is the same as your release, catch & shoot (good passing is essential here)

Don't bend your knees too far, but keep tension.

Arm dynamics: Elbow
under the shoulder, under the ball there, treasure arm is straight down, under the ball, higher release. first push the ball up and finish with your elbow above your eyebrows

The players dribble one by one in a zigzag fashion along the length of the playing field. When a player changes direction he/she bounces the ball under the legs and also changes hands.

The players practice the crossover technique. They start dribbling with their strong hand. Then the ball is bounced in a V-shape to the other hand. Make this exercise more difficult by running with the ball or a track.

The players try to dribble the ball behind their back. This works the same way as the crossover technique except the ball is not passed in front of the body but behind the back.

Player 1 dribbles across the width of the field, player 2 tries to tap the ball away. When this succeeds, the roles are reversed. Players are allowed to use several dribbling techniques.

There are rows of players on both sidelines.

• The front player of each row has a basketball.
• These players dribble to the sideline on the other side and play the ball with a bounce pass to the second player in the row who is now automatically in front.
• The first player closes in behind and the second player now dribbles across.

The players practice with the overhead pass (with 2 hands, from above the head) and vary the distance players stand in a circle with 1 player in the middle.

• One player starts and throws the ball with a chest pass to the player in the middle.
• Then the first player runs after the ball to the middle.
• The player in the middle throws the ball to the next player in the circle and then runs after them etc.

The players stand in a circle and pass the ball to each other.

• They are free to choose who they throw to and which pass variant they use.
• To make the exercise more difficult more basketballs can be used.

The players stand around the bucket or on the free throw line and try to score in the basket. Vary their position and distance.

Players dribble from the center line to the free throw line and try to score from there within 5 seconds.

Emphasis can be placed on different fundamental items. Passing, ball handling, transition or shooting. You can
give it a conditional character for the core of your training.
The exercise is also fairly complex, which means that the players also have to think a little during the exercise (brain training).

• The exercise starts with a plurality of 3 players.
• Even if you don't have a plural of 3, the exercise is possible, only then one player steps out each time. #1/#2/#3 start the exercise with a half weave to the center line.
• After his pass #1 becomes a flyer and after the pass from #3 he also becomes a flyer. #2 receives the ball last and dribbles midcourt for a score (lay-up).
• #3 and #1 receive the ball from #4 and #6 for the shot from outside. #5 rebounds the ball from #2, and starts the same drill along with #4 and #6.
• In this way this exercise repeats itself and a full court continuous drill is created.
  
  

Variations:

• The ballhandler (#2 in the first diagram) must finish with at least 1 change of direction (spindribble, reverse dribble, crossover, etc)
• Give the ballhandler a maximum number of dribbles so that he finishes aggressively.
• Have the 2 flyers who receive the ball stop with a jump stop / rhythm stop / or take 1 dribble and pull-up.
• Have the 2 flyers make a jab step with a countermove
• Starting with a rebound situation, you can vary with #1 / #2 / #3 in a row and throwing the ball up against the board (tipping), or have two players start at the board where one defends the outlet pass.
  • The disadvantage of this is, that you have to constantly reorganize, and the continuous nature of the exercise disappears.
• Have #2 (in the first diagram) defend the ballhandler with a close-out and box out after the score or goal attempt.
• The 2 flyers make a "split the post" move, so they make a front move and cut in on the other side.
  • This is a very good variation in terms of timing, as it involves three players.

Teaching points:

• Require the tempo you want from the players. Depending on the age, the exercise should reflect what you want to train. Keep in mind that the organization is quite complex, so for younger ages you will spend a lot of time on "organizing" the drill. So, wasted time, and ask yourself if you have this time.
• Make good stops, when catching the ball (flyers). Be critical on running, see that players make a stable stop, bring butt back, and jump straight up. The shot starts with the “foundation†and that is the footwork. If that is not right, it will affect all of your shot.
• Ballhandler finished hard on the basket. Re-enact the game situation! The attacker must visualize the defender. So dribble with the right hand (your body between the ball and the defender), protect the ball, also in 2T rhythm.
• Also use a situation where the ballhandler is the "front man" of the pitch, and therefore has to finish with a speed dribble: high, forward dribble, push the ball in front of you, and as few dribbles as possible (every dribble is a risk).
• Passing: Think about a good passing technique and its teaching points: Pass in front of the man, ask, make eye contact, target as a receiver, run into the ball, pass tightly, arms out, thumbs down after the pass. Also remember that players do not necessarily have to complete their 2T rhythm.
• Finish: Going hard to the board, and letting the ball “kiss†the board. The ball makes a so-called soft touch against the board. Especially with young players this is obvious, as they tend to “throw†the ball against the board when going hard. This implies that they have to rise (long stride, small stride, take a knee, stretch, the ball actually leaves your hand automatically due to the vertical movement of your body, do not bump).
• Shooting: Basics are footwork! Make a good stop, and the feet should be in the right position. Shoulder width, foot under the shot-hand slightly in front of the other, slightly through the knees (120 degrees), straight back, upper arm immediately horizontal after the catch, and forearm slightly less than 90 degrees. The forearm moves in a vertical direction first, and do not bring the ball behind your head (a common mistake among children). Look under the ball and then do the follow-through. Wrist flap and follow through!
• First train and program the technique, then focus on the speed. Note: this will not work in 1 training! Depending on the age, you can play with this, read: put the emphasis on something.