Fast Five: Constraints I Use in Practice

If it doesn't translate to games, what does it do? A practice 'evolution' MIGHT have value if it simulates game activity and improves player's VDE (vision, decision, execution). Are we great? No. I can't even say we're good. But we're improving slowly. 

I wish I had a situation where we had enough talent and experience to emphasize three "major" activities like shooting, transition D, and pick-and-roll. We don't. We need to learn basic fundamental basketball. 

When we build in 'constraints' to practice, then we approach more realistic 'conditions'. Here are some examples. 

1. Stanford 3 on 3. 

The "split" (line bisecting the court) is out of bounds. "Basketball is a game of cutting and passing." This game is 3 on 3. You cannot take more than two dribbles consecutively. If you immediately catch and dribble (without a specific attack)...turnover. 

2. Four on four no dribble. 

Players should think "space, cut, screen, and pass." We vary this among man-to-man (individual assignment), box (zone) and diamond (zone). We don't play zone during games, but face a lot of it. 

3. Four on four no dribble (layups only) against man. 

This modifies the above to require only shooting layups. I want to teach players not to 'settle' for the first open shot (we don't have knockdown shooters). 

4. Full court scrimmage with constraints. 

Add in rules...whatever you emphasize. 
a) No more than 2 consecutive dribbles in the forecourt
b) East-West dribbling...turnover (whistle blows, dribbler drops ball). We want opponents to play East-West ball while we play North-South ball. 

5. Press break super advantage-disadvantage. 

a) 5 on 8 or 5 on 7 (depending on attendance). 
b) No dribbling in press break - emphasis on short, quick passes and 'pass and cut' mentality.

Game conditions 5 on 5 with dribbling - what's the big deal? 

Bonus: 

Navy SEALs free throws. "It pays to be a winner." Pair up, each player gets 2 or 3 free throws competing against her partner. Loser earns a lap.