Basketball: Favorite Drills Across a Variety of Activities

"Activity is not achievement." - John Wooden 

It's not enough to work. Do productive work, improvement work. If the best activities incorporate offense, defense, decisions, and competition, then what belongs? 

My protege, Cecilia, worked tirelessly on these drills to make herself an All-Scholastic three times so far in Massachusetts. She led her team to consecutive sectional titles and a state finals appearance this season.  

Most have appeared in blog posts over the years and all have player development value. 

1. Box drills with defense. The offensive player receives a pass or spins the ball to herself at the elbow, back to the basket. She can front or back pivot off either foot and shoot, attack the basket, or take a one-dribble shot. The drill trains both offense and defense. 

2. Small-sided games (e.g. 3-on-3) with constraints. Constraints could include:

• Can't cross the midline bisecting baskets
• Must score in the paint
• Must score outside the paint 
• Can't score until everyone has a touch
• Can't score until there's a paint touch

Via Aaron Fernandez

3. Wing attack. Learn to score from different areas of the court. Choose a couple to perfect.

 

4. Elbow jumpers. Elbow to elbow and elbow to sideline. 

Track results seeking "personal bests." The drills are better with a partner for both competition and rebounding. 

5. Phil Handy ball handling with combinations and video examples. 

6. Rebounding toughness and finishing. 1 v 1 v 1. The ball is always live including after made baskets. 

7. Jump training. Good video with simple exercises and variations...depth jumps, kneeling jumps, and maximum jumps. At my age, I confine myself to "step ups" on one to two steps. I 'step up' and count "one" rep when I maintain a 'controlled descent'. I usually do two to three sets with both legs. 

8. 3 by 3 by 3 combines conditioning, competition, and shooting on the move. 

Condition within drills. Conditioning is essential and should be efficient and productive not punitive. Rebound your shot and become the passer. Get more from the drill by emphasizing crisp passing and require the passer to call the shooter by name to encourage communication. 

Lagniappe. "Repetitions make reputations."