Drill Type:“ Conditioning Drill
Purpose:
This two-step conditioning drill, while simple, is a great way to toughen your kids up a little bit, and will also show you who your best rebounders are.
Set Up:
- Have your players form two lines facing the baseline, each a couple of feet away from the basket.
Execution:
- Lines will go two at a time
- Players will throw the ball up high off the backboard, take a step and gather themselves, and jump as high as they can to secure the ball safely with two hands.
- They should then pass the ball to the next player and go to the back of the line.
- If you’ve got an older group, this is a good time for them to work on tip ins and put back layups as well.
- Once your players are comfortable with the drill, back the line up a little bit.
- The player at the front of the line will do the same thing, throw it off the backboard and go get it, but now, the 2nd player in the line is going to go over his back and attempt to steal the rebound from him.
Coaching Keys
- Remind players to squeeze the ball underneath their chin as soon as they grab it, and to come down with a solid, wide base
- To speed up the drill, you can keep the line moving and have each player throw it off the back board for the player behind them, having the last player finish with a layup (or an emphatic dunk!)
- While some light contact is okay, to prevent injury make sure to keep it safe. You’ll also want to alternate the lines to give the players some extra space to maneuver.