As players become more experienced, we can move past the basic fundamentals of dribbling, shooting and passing… and onto more advanced basketball training drills that bring all of these skills together. I call these “offensive development drills.”
Each of the drills below is designed to help your players improve their technical AND tactical basketball skills.
From learning how to combine primary and secondary moves off the dribble, to reading defenses and taking advantage of openings, to using cuts and screens to create shots inside your half court offense. These drills can be performed as part of individual player workouts, small group workouts, or full team practices.
If you’re ready to take it up a notch, don’t miss our best-selling Perimeter Skills Drillbook – packed with 21 fun and effective drills for shooting, passing, and ballhandling. Or, if you’re looking to improve your inside scoring and rebounding, check out“ Post Skill Development.
Basketball Training Drills – Offensive Development
- 3 Perimeter Drills to Improve Scoring & Shooting
- Post Moves 101
- Skill Development for Motion Offense
- Cut and Dribble Drill Series (video)
- “Trash Can” Ballhandling Drill (video)
- Backdoor Drill Series (video)
- Pass and Cut Drill Series (video)
- Perimeter Cut Drill Series (video)
- Iverson Drill (video)
- Triangle Shooting and Screening
- ’11’ Drill for Post Offense
- Guard Dribble Up
- 2 Man Game Spread Triangle
- Combo Drill
- Big Man Drill
- Drive and Kick Drill Series
- More Drive and Kick Drills
- How To Use Screens To Get Open Shots
- Off The Ball Movement
- Using The Downscreen
- 3-on-3 Screening
- The Clipper Twist
- 7th Heaven Post-Up Drill
- Earning The Green Light – The 3 Point License
- Utah 1-4 Halfcourt Offense
- Zone O “Overload”
- 5 Man To The Corner
- Cut Series Warm-Up Drill
- Box “X” Drill for the Pick & Roll
Basketball Training Tips
Here are some additional pointers to help you get the most out of these basketball training drills.
- When shooting on the move, you can square up to shoot using whatever footwork you find comfortable, though many players prefer to plant their left foot and front pivot their right foot towards the hoop
- Release your shot on the way up, just before the top of your jump. Use your legs to generate power. You should land in the same spot that you jumped, which shows good balance.
- Always follow your shot and continue until you put it in the basket.
- A pump fake should look just like a real shot – everything except for the actual release of the ball.
- When making a rip move from a triple-threat position, stay low on the rip, and keep the ball close to the floor. Try to clear your inside shoulder past an imaginary defender. Try to get to the basket with only one dribble
- When practicing your primary off-the-dribble moves, create separation from the defender by changing direction and speed. Try to lull them into a false sense of security by slowing down for a split second, then exploding into your dribble move. When done correctly, the defender will raise up slightly out of his defensive stance, making it easier to get past him.
- Practice a variety of different finishes from inside the lane – lefty layups, rightly layups, floaters and push shots, and pull-up jumpers