Dance
Ball in the bag
Straight shooting (targeting the side of the backboard)
Pilates
Jumprope
Mindfulness
Boot camp
Dance. Caroline Onderko studied ten freshman girls to assess agility changes in response to Irish step dance training over four weeks and eight sessions of thirty minutes. She did baseline testing, created a program, and repeated the testing.
Baseline testing (see post-training tests).
Half her subjects didn't complete the program. The best results occurred in subjects who attended each session (outlined). Despite the small numbers and short duration of training some players improved. Another limitation not stated is "training effect." Practicing the drills may result in gains, "training to the test."
Other forms of dance (e.g. ballet, tap, shuffle) training might have more or less gains. Also, a better study would compare conventional strength and conditioning with alternatives. But with limited resources, it's a start.
Ball bag. Kyrie Irving trained dribbling a basketball within a plastic bag to improve his handle.
Straight shooting. Practice targeting the side of the backboard to keep shots straight.
Pilates and yoga. There's a role where you have the resources.
Jumprope. Great for warmups.
Mindfulness. Hall of Famers like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Shaq all practiced mindfulness. Mindfulness improves focus, sleep, blood pressure, reduces circulating stress hormones, and may help resilience.
Boot camp. Loyola used a comprehensive, team building program.
Lagniappe: Skill is not a monolith.
Lagniappe 2: "In the normal world, people assign jobs to the people most capable." - Malcolm Gladwell
That's not youth sports. Kafka reminds us that "everyone is necessarily the hero of their own story." And every parent (understandably) wants their child to be the hero at least some of the time. That's a tough nut. And we've been there as parents and coaches.
