First, what's the (obvious) ultimate drill to test offense, defense, conversion? 1 5-on-5 game play. That brings individual skill development into conflict with "playing." This may be a unique season as (most likely) the generic player has less supervised practice and play because of the pandemic.
It keep bringing us back to Dave Smart keys:
- "We don't run a lot of stuff."
- "Every day is skill development."
- Be good at transition/transition D, PnR offense/defense, half court actions.
And Mano Watsa's caveat, "don't major in the minors." Invest time on what you do a lot.
But some drills teach multiple actions: 2 Shivek Drill (offense and limited defense)
1. Give-and-go (pass and cut) and finish.
2. Cut to the ball, shot ready.
3. Pass and sink (to the corner)
4. Basket attack against a closeout
3 "Ten seconds to glory."
"Floppy action" where "scorer" needs to read defense against off-ball screens, defense can vary defense, and players have a time element (ten seconds) to score. I created it and steal away, brothers and sisters.
4 "SSG diagonal" (from Aaron Fernandez)
5 "Advantage-disadvantage" 5 versus 7 full court press, no dribbling. If you master the press break against numbers with constraints, you should handle most presses.
6 Knight's Triangle screening
Set and defend pindowns and cross-screens. Make it competitive to add spice.
Simple is better. And nothing works unless they do.
Summary:
- Scrimmage
- Shivek
- Ten Seconds to Glory
- "Sideways"
- 5 on 7 Advantage-Disadvantage
- Triangle Drill
Lagniappe: Followup on "Defending the 3" from Coach Nick's blog. Better mouse; better mousetrap.
Watch how he’s rotating in the air to immediately pop back in the play. I’ve been preaching this for a long time, and I’m ecstatic to see a major college team training it. The choppy steps high hands close out on shooters is becoming extinct, thankfully. https://t.co/kIn786Svlt
— BBALLBREAKDOWN (@bballbreakdown) July 28, 2020
Lagniappe 2: "If someone says "you're asking too many questions," you're going to get ripped off." - MasterClass, Sheila E. (Look out for yourself.)
Sheila E. has a chapter titled, "Advice to Musicians." They work for basketball, too.
She makes a key point about authenticity, that if people copy you, be proud of the original.
