Basketball drills and coaching by Pål Degerstrøm

Carolina

2008-01-25T14:18:00+01:00

This drill will teach you to pay attention and improve shooting.

Skills

Shooting and passing.

Players

Whole team.

Instructions

Have players make two lines under the basket. Give a ball to the first person in the left line. Also give a ball to the second person in the right line. The first person in the right line runs to the left block. The person in the left line passes them the ball. Then the person who just got the ball shoots. While that person shoots, the person who passed the ball runs to the right block and does the same thing as the left side. Players rebound their own shot and pass to the side that they shot from. Have players clap once if the shooter misses and twice if the shooter makes it to have them pay attention.

Variations

You can also run this drill and have players shoot from either sides of the foul line.

The shooting drill

2008-01-25T14:17:01+01:00

Need 2 people, a rebounder and a shooter.

Skills

Shooting, running and a little bit passing.

Players

Instructions

There is a shooter and a rebounder. The shooter shoots the ball from anywhere. Immediately after the shoot, the shooter runs to a different spot. As the shooter is running to a new place, the rebounder gets the rebound and passes to the shooter in his new place and you do this for 2 minutes and then the shooter and the rebounder switch.

Head to head

2008-01-25T14:16:00+01:00

Enhances team defense with a emphasis on hunger for the ball attacking your man on defense by 1v1 up to 5v5.

Skills

Speed, quickness, ballhandling.

Players

1v1 up to 5v5

Instructions

1 v1 sprint to foul line and back to baseline and back to the ball that is on the top of the key.
One player gets ball (whoever is the quickest) and then we commence to defend until someone scores or defense stops
(only one shot).
You do the the drill 1v1 or 2v2 or 3v3 or 4v4 or 5v5.

Variations

You can move the ball to half court or other free throw to simulate transition to halfcourt defense or picking up full court .

Tips

It builds a aggressive approach to playing defense and defending the basket as a team.

Crossover to jumper

2008-01-25T14:13:00+01:00

This drill if done appropriately will get you the perfect scoring opportunity.

Skills

Ballhandling and jumpshot.

Players

Instructions

Start at the corner of the arch, drive in and do a cut back crossover and pull up. Miss or make, sprint and get the ball. Wherever you retrieve it at, do the same thing. Do this until 20 makes, then take a break. Repeat until you make 100 a day. If you continue to repeat this drill your jumper will be unstoppable.

Tips

Once you get the hang of this drill put in your own crossovers (ex. stepback, leaner, fade away etc.)

Indiana High school basketball dribbling drill

2008-01-25T14:11:00+01:00

Take a basketball and dribble the ball on a gravel spot. Don’t look at the ball, just dribble. Then as you get better try dribbling with your weak hand and then go through the legs and behind the back . If you can dribble on gravel you with be an all star dribbler.

Skills

Fantastic ballhandling.

Players

Instructions

Dribble the ball on gravel and try to do moves such as cross overs behind the backs and trough the legs.

Variations

Dribble however you want.

Tips

Don’t look at the ball, that makes the entire drill ineffective.

School challenge

2008-01-25T14:08:00+01:00

Take a ball bring it to school.

Skills

Ballhandling and confidence.

Players

1 vs the whole school

Instructions

Bring a ball to and school dribble around using both hands, then as you walk to your classes challenge people and try to get by them using all your moves. Since it\‘s a school you will have different kids with different sizes shapes and quickness. So with each kid find a different way to beet them combing moves and switching hands.

Variations

Challenge two people at the same time. Also as you walk to class people will try to swipe at the ball and take it away, so just weave in and out of those people using both hands and head up because you don’t want to bump into any huge kid that can hurt you.

Intimidation

2008-01-25T14:02:00+01:00

Learn to take a shoot with someone guarding you.

Skills

Shooting and ballhandling.

Players

Instructions

Two people on each elbow and two down on one of the blocks. One person is on offense and one is on defense. The offense gets the ball and keeps passing the ball around until one person can get around their man and take a shot or the ball is stolen. Then once the ball is stolen or a shot is made, then the teams switch.

Variations

It can be done with 2 vs. 2 and up to 5 vs. 5.

Tips

After warming up to this drill, focus on different types of shots. Lay-ups, three-pointers, just shots from the elbow, or tell them they have to drive for the shot.

5 ball shooting drill

2008-01-25T14:00:00+01:00

Shooting, passing, and layups all in one.

Skills

Focus on shooting around the perimeter, outlet passes and fast layups.

Players

Instructions

Get 3 people to start in the middle and the middle person with the ball. The one she passes it to, they do a layup and the two other ones go on the elbow and receive a pass from the 2 girls on the baseline. The person that did the layup gets her own rebound and passes an outlet to the 2 girls that passed the ball and they run the court and get passes again, shoot, etc.

Variations

Try to get 40 shots in 3 minutes, set goals and beat them.

Tips

Keep your head up, focus on shooting and running the court.

300 Shots

2008-01-25T13:55:00+01:00

10 foul shots
25 shots from left baseline
10 foul shots
25 shots from left elbow extended
10 foul shots
25 shots from right elbow extended
10 foul shots
25 shots from right baseline
10 foul shots

10 three pointers – left baseline
5 one dribble right pull ups
5 one dribble left pull ups
10 foul shots
10 three pointers left angle
5 one dribble right pull ups
5 one dribble left pull ups
10 foul shots
10 three pointers – center
5 one dribble right pull ups
5 one dribble left pull ups
10 foul shots
10 three pointers right angle
5 one dribble right pull ups
5 one dribble left pull ups
10 foul shots
10 three pointers right baseline
5 one dribble right pull ups
5 one dribble left pull ups

this should total
100 foul shots
100 jumpers (first section)
100 threes and one dribble pull ups

Skills

Shooting, shooting when tired, shooting consistency.

Players

Instructions

Simply put up the required amount of shots from the specified places and sprint after each rebound.

Variations

Add/minus number of shots from each place to change length of drill.
Recommended that you don’t shorten the drill.

Tips

Record the amount of shots you make from each set of 100 and focus on improving each practice.

Block party

2008-01-25T12:45:00+01:00

Block player without the foul.

Players

1-2

Instructions

Offense starts at baseline. Defense is at front of rim. Offense goes in for layup. Defense jumps to block shot but float by offense and block shot with inside hand.

Variations

Left and right hand.

Tips

Use your opposite hand more.

Professors signature move

2008-01-25T12:44:00+01:00

This move will throw your defender off guard!

Players

1-2

Instructions

Slowly go toward your defender with the ball in your right hand, as you get about 4-3 ft. away cross over to your left hand, quickly spin around your defender, take 1-2 hard dribbles down the base line, the defender pick up speed to catch up to you, as he does pull back fast. (He will most likely keep going or fall while trying to change directions). Then you take the pull up jumper!

Variations

Drive to the basket after the pull back.

Tips

The faster you move the better the drill works. After using this move 2-3 times try faking the spin and going to the middle.

The Gauntlet

2008-01-15T14:25:01+01:00

Teaches players toughness when slashing through the lane.

Skills

Offense: Ball handling, slashing through defense, not shying away from contact.

Players

6 or more

Instructions

Have a total of 5 players line up on both sides of the lane (3 on one side and 2 on the other). Players should be spaced approximately 1 step from each side of the lane and approximately 2 steps away from each other (B -> F). Defensive unit should assume proper defensive posture, but should only move their upper body to adjust for slasher.

Offensive player should start at center court and dribble hard, directly to the center of the lane. Player should be looking to penetrate the defense with a dribble, jump stop, etc. and should not shy away from contact. Defensive unit should reach in, without moving to the ball, and attempt to strip the ball from the offensive player upon entry to the lane. Offensive player should expect lots of contact, but should not shy away.

Variations

Spread defense out into zone scheme (3-2, 2-3, 2-1-2) and focus on defense collapsing to close in on empty spots. Offensive man should be able to penetrate from any spot on the floor.

Tips

Be sure that all players understand that this can be a very abusive drill and that the all players will at some point take hard blows to the arms and shoulders. The object is to teach the offensive player how to make a basketball move towards the basket, despite physical contact. This will help with continuation on the shot when fouled. Make sure that every player takes a turn at each spot.

Set-Shoot

2008-01-15T14:24:00+01:00

Running, getting set, and shooting.

Skills

Getting set and quick release. Also helps secondary man practice rebounding and passing.

Players

Instructions

Have one man under the basket to get rebounds and pass.
You run from a starting point about free throw line length from basket then run left or right about seven feet.
Get set and run back to starting point get set again.
Have man under basket pass ball to you and quick release shoot.
Have man under basket grab rebound and do it over.

Tips

Do not walk it, keep running and practice it a lot.

Enfuego

2008-01-15T14:23:00+01:00

After each practice, have one player at a time start at the baseline and be timed on how many times they can run back and forth from baseline to baseline in one minute. I.e. one is from one baseline to the other and then coming back would be the second one.

Skills

Endurance.

Players

1 at a time.

Instructions

Start at a baseline and runner begins when clock starts and stops when clock stops.

Variations

Length of the repetitions.

Tips

Do not ever stop and try to keep a good pace.

Christina’s 30-second drill

2008-01-15T14:22:00+01:00

This drill helps players practice skills they need in a game.

Skills

Dribbling, passing.

Players

5 or more

Instructions

Start the timer for 30 seconds.

Player 1 has the ball. He/she passes it to player 2, their only ally. Players 3 to 5 or whatever amount try to steal the ball away. Players 1 and 2 must dribble and pass to each other so that the others don’t get in possession of the ball. If they do before the time is up, players 1 and 2 must do 15 push-ups. If player 1 or 2 has the ball at the end of the 30 seconds, they must each do the 15 push-ups.

In And Out

2008-01-15T14:21:00+01:00

Helps your turn around and speed.

Players

Instructions

Start from the top of the key then run and touch the goal then run back .Someone should be there to pass you the ball then you take a turn around jumper.

Tips

Make sure they run as fast as they can.

Step back

2008-01-15T14:16:00+01:00

Good shooting drill for the dedicated player.

Skills

Shooting, 3-pointers, pull-up jumper, one dribble-shot, range.

Players

Instructions

Player starts a foot away from basket and shoots a jumpshot. Each time the player makes a shot he steps back. If you miss, just shoot again. The drill is done when the player makes a 3-pointer. This should be done from both corners, both wings, and straight away.

Tips

Use good form.

Tennis/basketball drill

2008-01-15T14:15:00+01:00

This helps you with your hand eye coordination.

Skills

Looking up and dribbling.

Players

Instructions

Dribble a basketball in either hand get someone else to get a tennis ball, make them throw it to you while you are dribbling, then throw it back and repeat.

Variations

Try using a crossover and catching the tennis ball.

Tips

Don\‘t look down!!!!

Monkey in the middle

2008-01-15T14:13:01+01:00

This drill teachers players to keep their hand up on defense. The player must use his hands and feet to deflect or steal the ball. (I know that kicking keeps the ball with the offense but the idea is to try and break up the play). This is also a good conditioning drill and passing.

Skills

Keeping your hands up on defense and learning how to play the ball by either stealing it or deflecting it.

Players

Instructions

Around the key have two players stand at each block down by the basket and two at the corners of the free throw line. Place one person in the middle. For 30 seconds the four player will pass the ball around keeping it for the person in the middle. The person in the middle is trying to steal or deflect the ball by using his hands or feet. Once time is up rotate clockwise for everyone to get a chance.

Tips

Keep the ball moving for the whole 30 seconds to keep the defensive player moving and guessing.

Bust it

2008-01-15T14:12:00+01:00

A great way to learn how to play while being winded.

Skills

Agility, strength, playing while tired. Strength and patience.

Players

Up to 6 but have to be even.

Instructions

This game is played between two even teams (1 on 1, 2 on 2, 3 on 3 etc. If the offense makes a shot, the defense has to do 3-6 pushups. In the meantime, the offense clears the ball by dribbling and dribbling only to the top of the key or halfcourt. All players on offense must clear. If the defense stops the offense, the offense drops down and does 3-4 crunches while the offense clears the ball. Loser runs a suicide, does however many pushups or crunches or whatever you want. Don\‘t go half speed! Going full speed 5 minutes is better than going half speed for 20!