Looking for at-home basketball drills? Here are our top 5 – with a focus on ballhandling, rebounding and scoring.
Each one can be done in your back yard or driveway. All by yourself or with a partner.
For a complete workout, perform three sets of each drill for 30 seconds each – 15 sets in total. Start slow, then speed up once you’ve mastered the mechanics.
#5. Figure 8 Drill
Purpose
This essential ballhandling drill will improve your hand strength, ball control, and concentration.
How it Works
- Start dribbling low down by your left ankle.
- Dribble the ball through your legs, switching around to the other hand and going around the other leg.
- Continue dribbling around both legs, with the ball following a figure 8 pattern around both legs, switching hands as needed.
Coaching Tips
- Beginner players can start by rolling the ball through the figure 8 on the floor, then progress to dribbling it
- Keep your knees bent and your back straight.
- Experiment with different dribble heights – see what maximum and minimum number of dribbles you can do around each leg.
#4. Through The Legs & Go
Purpose
Players learn to dribble through the legs and drive hard to the rim for a layup.
How it Works
- Starting a couple feet behind the arc, take a dribble forward with your left hand.
- Bounce the ball through your legs, crossing over to your right hand.
- Explode out of the crossover with a had dribble towards the hoop.
- Finish at the rim with the right hand.
- Secure the board, run back out to the wing and repeat. Make 5 layups starting from the right wing, then move to the left wing and finally the top of the arc.
Coaching Tips
- Experiment with change of pace, using different speeds to maximize the effectiveness of the crossover.
- If you’re having a hard time imagining a defender, you can put a chair or cone down to emulate one.
#3. Glass Cleaner
Purpose
This drill focuses on grabbing the rebound with two hands and landing firmly on two feet. If you don't have access to a basket, you can still perform this drill by bouncing the ball off any wall.
How it Works
- Start on the left lane, and throw the ball up off the backboard.
- Secure the rebound with both hands.
- Come down with a strong base on the outside of the opposite lane line.
- Throw the ball off the backboard going the other way, and repeat.
Coaching Tips
- Land on the balls of your feet so that you’re ready to spring right back up.
#2. Spin and Go
Purpose
This is a great at home dribbling drill that works on beating a defender with a spin move, then finishing strong at the hoop.
How it Works
- Start out with the left wing, and take a hard dribble inside with your left hand, Plant the right foot, and spin towards the baseline with the left foot.
- Take one dribble to gather yourself and close on the rim.
- Finish at the hoop with a strong right handed layup.
- Grab the board, sprint out to the wing and do it again.
- Drill is complete when you’ve made 10 layups (left and right hand) from each wing and the top of the arc
Coaching Tips
- Keep your hand on top of the ball – avoid the tendency to carry the ball through the spin.
- It can be a good idea to work on finishing with the right hand on the left side and left hand on the right side – to keep prospective shotblockers on their toes when you attack the hoop.
#1. Up and Under Drill
Purpose
This is a classic post move popularized by players like Kevin McHale, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. It helps develop precise footwork and strong finishes around the rim.
How it Works
- Start down on the left block, chinning the ball in a low, strong stance.
- Pivot inside with your right foot, selling the shot fake as you plant down.
- Step towards the hoop and around the defender with your right foot.
- Go up and strong off two feet and finish with the left hand.
- Secure the rebound and repeat. Make 5 from each side of the court.
Coaching Tips
- Don't just step forward after the fake - imagine a defender jumping on the pump fake and step around him as you would in a game situation.
- Keep the plant foot down!“ Any dragging or slight movement will result in a travel call.
Need More At-Home Basketball Drills?
If you're looking for more at-home basketball drills, check our our Driveway Drills eBook.
It's packed with 31 solo and partner training drills for shooting, scoring, ballhandling and rebounding. All organized into 11 pre-designed workout plans you can print out or save to your phone.