Teams perform to the level of their training. We apply constraints limited only by our imagination to make practice hard so that games are easier. Some ideas:
1. Advantage-disadvantage. Excellent teams handle pressure. Play fullcourt 5 vs 7. Add an additional constraint of no dribbling. If the ball hits the floor it's turned over. This drill is a game changer, forcing cutting and passing.
2. 4 vs 4 half court, no dribbling. This adds both space and play limitations. Add an additional wrinkle, the need to complete ten passes before shooting to force a longer possession.
3. Paint touch, ball reversal. Kirby Schepp tracked points by possession and found higher points/possession when his team achieved both a paint touch and ball reversal.
One way to see this is via "short roll passing."
4. Score in the paint. Scrimmage with scoring only allowed in the paint. Why wouldn't the defense pack into the paint? They might. Add flexibility by allowing perimeter scoring after two paint scores.
5. 3 on 3 inside the split. Add space constraint (the split is out of bounds) and start play from different initial formations.
6. Dribble tag (inside the spacing line). Dribble tag works ball handling and you can add constraints such as non-dominant hand dribbling or crossover dribble required every third dribble.
7. Gauntlet (28 Special). Gauntlet challenges two players to advance through four "zones" with player and ball movement and only one dribble after each catch. The drill rotates players up and previous offense becomes defense in the back zone.
8. Around the world. You all know the game.
Increase the degree of difficulty by adding time constraint (e.g. 2 minutes) and shot constraints (25 or less)
9. Beat the pro (a.k.a. Bill Bradley). You score one for a make and The Pro (Bill) scores 3 on your miss. The "easy" version of game to 11 means make 11 before missing 4 (11/14 = 78.6%). The "hard" version is make 15 before missing 2.
10. Situational play. 3:00 on the clock, including shot clock. Leading by 5. Opponent's ball. You must prevent the opponent from scoring six points and offensive possessions are limited to 30 seconds but no scoring. Can you hold the lead without scoring?
11. Volleyball court, Kirby Schepp movement drills. Learn to move.
These are just a few 'fun ways' to enhance degree of difficulty to challenge players to improve. Enjoy.
Lagniappe. Live the standard, not your feelings.
