We want to win basketball games. Make layups. Develop a progression of activities to 'harden' players taking layups. Choose to agree or to disagree, but here are suggestions, obviously not every layup drill.
Many coaches know all of this. Few players do and fewer have invested the time to raise their game. If you can't recruit, rely on player development.
Skill progression isn't 'gifted'. It demands hours of work, investing sacrifice when your peers and friends spend time. Better to practice with a partner and if you have the ability, to record progression with cellphone video. "Repetitions make reputations."
1. No dribble layups. Start with the left foot forward, right back, near the first peg. Step RIGHT, LEFT and lay the ball up, extending to the basket. Remind the player, "Eyes make layups," target the square. Rinse and repeat.
2. Mikan drill. Alternate right and left-handed layups, practicing the layup footwork. Learn to make ten consecutive from each site.
3. Reverse Mikan drill. Back is to the basket and the player lays the ball up back over her head. This is good preparation for reverse layups.
4. Lithuania "speed layups." I prefer that the ball not hit the floor.
Speed layups for warm-up via the Lithuania team at the #JonesCup. I like it because most of warm-up IMO is about getting shots as we shoot more than we get layups in games...the other part is a short burst of energy & enthusiasm so this would take care of that. pic.twitter.com/UQXy7w1Ozg
— Chris Oliver (@BBallImmersion) July 29, 2018
5. "Quarterback layups." Maybe this is too high on the list. This adds defense and I don't recommend above 7th grade because I didn't want injuries. Competitive players will figurative kill each other.
Key point. Raise the bar: Basketball rewards explosive athletes. By high school, players should score with one dribble from the three-point line. The offensive player rips the ball out of the defender's light hold and attacks the basket. The defender cannot foul but pursues aggressively. Note, also didn't recommend this drill on asphalt/outdoors.
6. Box drills. Initially without defense. Develop elite footwork and learn to finish with either hand off either foot (and two feet) from either side. For example, start at the right elbow, back to basket with left foot pivot foot. Sweep the ball low (out of a defender's 'strike zone') with a reverse pivot (back side leads). One dribble to score off left foot.
Run through a sequence of drop step, front, and reverse pivot from either side into basket attack, shot, one dribble shot. Develop footwork and a lot is possible.
7. Add a defender to the box drills.
8. Warmup, reverse layups off the catch (via Tufts Women's BB)
