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Basketball drills

  • Start at the centre line with 3 x 2.
  • Attackers may only pass and lay-up from a pass.
  • Variations:
    • Bounce pass only.
  • If attackers don't score, or pass poorly --> push up.
  • Let defenders stand a few times, work together.
  • Divide players into groups of 5.
  • Normally we have 2 or 3 baskets available.
  • For example, every 7 minutes turn over, first center explanation. (most guidance on the dribbling skills needed)
  • Station 1. (Basket 1)
    • 3x2 play from the center line without dribbling (only passing, free running, pivoting)
  • Station 2. (basket 2)
    • 1x1 play (substitution, attacker becomes defender, occasionally change the order to get different match-ups, 1-shot attempt or under time pressure to keep up the momentum)
  • Station 3. (Basket 3 - if available)
    • Shooting exercise: 5 positions on edge of bucket (low, elbow, free throw line, elbow low).
    • 1 player shoots, others catch and pass the ball (1 shot per position, highest score of the group)
  • Station 4 dribbling skills. (1-2 pawns)
    • Over the pylon (do not take it with you, keep control, from left to right, 1 hand behind your back)
    • Lift the pylon with the left, dribble with the right (throw the pylon, catch it with the other hand)
    • Left/right and touch pylon (timer, counting) - hand that releases the ball must touch pylon (low position, defend the ball)
    • 2 pawns, dribble left, touch right
    • 2 cones (8 dribble with 1 hand)
  • Station 5 dribbling skills. (row of pawns)
    • Slalom around the pawns, low dribble, back and forth (tempo)
    • Variant: low dribble, feet on both sides of the pawns, cross after every pylon.
    • Low dribble, always touching the according pawns.
    • Stay in control, stay on the same side. (dribble left, touch pylon with right)
  • 5 against 5 half field. (Depending on turnout, at 20 and 3 baskets possibly)
  • Especially explanation to U12-2.
  • Sometimes stop, whistle, explain:
    • Run.
    • Second dribble.
    • Free running.
    • Playing together.
    • Pivoting.
  • Defending (own man, not running to the ball, running back, taking the ball after scoring).
  • Slalom around the pawns. (low dribble)
  • Over the bank:
    • Low dribble on the ground, cross over.
  • Drive by cones:
    • Dribble with the left and touch each cone with the right.
  • Push-ups/abdominal thrusts on the middle line.
  • Layup.
drawing Warming up: round with assignments
  • Two teams, one basket per team, 2 balls per team.
  • Shooting from 5 positions, 5 scores per position.
  • Finish with a three-pointer.
  • Possibly with switching baskets, if a team has reached a position.
  • Loser runs suicide.
  • 5 against 5 or 4 against 4 (depending on how many players are present)
  • Start with a game without dribble (check half or whole field)
  • Then play with the dribble
  • Setup:
    • Per 2 or 3 players a basket.
  • Execution: (with 1 hand! other hand on back)
    • Explanation of shot, shoot from the legs, wrist turn, 1 hand, backspin ball.
    • 1 meter from the basket, 1 shooter, 1-2 rebounder.
    • Shoot 3 times, then switch.
    • Then 2 meters.
    • Then side. (through the board)
    • Then side a little further away.
  • Have the players shoot from in front of the basket:
    • Right in the basket.
    • Through the board into the basket.
  • Have players shoot from the side:
    • Right into the basket.
    • Via the board into the basket.
  • In this drill, players learn the basics of the cross and open step.
  • Starting lineup:
    • Under both baskets 1 player with a ball.
    • Rest of the players in the centre circle.
    • A little behind the free throw line on both sides.
  • Explanation cross-step
  • Exercise
    • Player in the centre circle runs to the free throw line.
    • Player under the basket passes to the next player.
    • Player at free throw line makes a cross step dribble plus lay-up.
    • Player under the basket moves to center.
    • Player who made lay-up goes under the board with ball.
    • Change left/right.
  • Explanation open step
  • Exercise
    • Player in centre circle runs to free throw line.
    • Player under the basket passes to the next player.
    • Player on free throw line makes an open step dribble plus lay-up.
    • Player under the basket moves to center.
    • Player who made lay-up goes under the board with ball.
    • Change left/right.
  • If still time:
    • Jab-step + cross step or open step.
drawing Open and crossstep - basic
  • Starting lineup:
    • Form triplets.
    • Two balls per trio.
    • One player in the middle.
    • One player on the baseline with one ball.
    • 1 player on the other baseline with ball.
  • Exercise:
    • Player in the middle sprints to the baseline. (to player with ball).
    • Outside the bucket he/she receives the ball.
    • Makes a jump stop.
    • Shoots.
    • Takes own rebound.
    • Player who passed sprints to the other side.
    • Receives pass.
    • Shoots.
  • Team that gets to 20 scores first, wins.


drawing Condition - shooting in 3 teams
  • Dry practise
    • All players on the baseline.
    • First player starts in the corner, makes slides.
    • Slanting towards line of basket. (Put a pawn down!)
    • From there, sprint to the side of the center line.
    • Then slides to line of basket.
    • Then from there sprint again.
  • Practise with attacker - without 1v1
    • Pairs with 1 ball.
    • Start on the baseline, in the corner.
    • 1 attacker, 1 defender.
    • Explain position:
      • Sit deep.
      • Hand in knee.
      • Other hand prevents pass.
    • Slides to the other side.
    • Second round same as above, but from the middle line 1-on-1.
  • Czech Square
    • Chest pass.
    • Bouncepass.
    • Push pass.
    • Overhead pass.
  • Show us where you want the ball!
  • Passing in such a way that the receiver does not have to hold back, but can simply run on.