Online Basketball Drills

Basketball Drills, Plays and Coaching Tips

Olympic Shooting

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Purpose

Being able to measure improvement over the course of the season can be difficult in some drills, but not so in Olympic shooting. This is a great transition drill that will allow you to hold your players accountable and force them to strive to do better each and every practice.

The goal here is for the team to accumulate 150 points over a 4 minute period. They get one point for a layup, two points for a mid range shot, and three points for shots from behind the arc.

Drill Setup

  • Your players will form three lines at each end of the court, with the player in the middle on one side starting with a ball.
  • The second players in the outside lines will also have basketballs, as well as the players at the front of the line on the opposite end of the court.

How it Works

  1. To begin the drill, this player will push the ball up court aggressively, as if they were attacking the middle on a fast break.
  2. After crossing halfcourt and before crossing the three point arc, the ballhandler will pass to one of the two wings, who will catch the pass and finish with a layup at the hoop.
  3. The passer will fill in behind the player he just passed to, receiving the pass from the corresponding line on the baseline.
  4. The player on the opposite wing who did not receive the pass will also catch a pass from the baseline.
  5. From here, they have the choice to take a three point or mid-range shot, while the passers will take off downcourt as the drill continues.
  6. The player who took the layup will then grab his own rebound and push the ball immediately up to the other hoop, again passing to either wing and then taking his shot.

Coaching Tips

  • A good starting goal for the team is 150 points, and generally we have the players run sprints for every point they’re short of the goal.
  • You should keep note of the final result each time you finish the drill and adjust the goal accordingly as to keep your players engaged and motivated to improve.
  • It’s also a good idea to have the whole team count out each basket made, keeping everyone aware of the total.

Rhythm Shooting

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Purpose

Improving footwork and practicing shooting off the catch

Drill Setup

  • Have players grab a ball & split into 3 lines: one at the top of the arc, and one on each wing

How it Works

  1. Simultaneously, all 3 players at the front of the line will spin the ball out in front of them so it bounces right back
  2. Players then catch the ball, squaring up and stepping into the shot with a front pivot
  3. Player shoots on the catch and collects the rebound make or miss
  4. On the miss, players will put the ball in before heading to back of the line Next players in line step up, repeat, continuing the drill

Coaching Tips

  • The first step into the catch is ALWAYS the inside foot. Some players will shy away from using their weak foot to pivot – don’t let them! It’s absolutely vital that players get comfortable pivoting off either foot.
  • If players are having any trouble with the footwork, take the time to break it down step by step to make sure they get it right
  • Don’t let players drift back out of their range! This can shatter confidence as well as encouraging bad habits that can be hard to break
  • For young or inexperienced players start them at 15 feet and allow them to take a step back after they make 3 shots in a row at that distance, continuing to step back until they reach the 3 point line

Transition Circle Drill – Part 2

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This is an extension of the Circle Drill for Transition Offense, and a “What If?” scenario – what if player 1, 2 or 3 gets the rebound? Here is what to do if that happens!

If 2 gets the rebound, he outlets to the 1 and 5 is running straight down the middle of the court and 3 is running the left side of the court. The 4 man is going to run the right side of the court, which puts you into your break.

If 3 gets the rebound, the 4 man is going to run to the left side of the court.

What if the 1 gets the rebound? Your 1 (point guard) is the player that you ultimately want to have the ball, so he is going to fire straight up the floor, with the other players filling the lanes, and the 4 as the trailer.

“What If” the 1 is covered?

Now, if the 1 is covered, who are you going to get the ball to? The answer? You are still going to get the ball to the 1, and you are going to do this by bringing the 5 player back to the ball and running the 1 straight across, which will take you back into your break situation.

 

Looking for more transition offense plays, tips and techniques?  Be sure to “Like” Us on Facebook or join us on Google+, where we talk more about this subject, as well as more valuable basketball mechanics, passing and dribbling drills & tips and a whole lot more!

Offensive Rebounding on Free Throws – Part 2

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In today’s video blog post, Hubie Brown continues to share his Free Throw scoring strategies with 2 more Free Throw Options. But first, let’s talk about the basic structure of the free throw.

Free throws are organized in procession. The shooter takes his place behind the free throw line , and all other players must stand in their correct places until the ball leaves the shooter’s hands.

Up to four people from the defensive team and two people from the shooting team line up along the sides of the restricted area (keyhole, paint, lane). These players are usually the ones that rebound the ball. Three line up on each side. A defensive player always takes the place closest to the basket.  For more free throw shooting basics, check out our Free Throw Shooting Fundamentals post.

VIDEO TUTORIAL: Hubie Brown’s Free Throw Strategy: Option 2 & 3

Now that you have an understanding of the basic concept and structure of the free throw, let’s take a look at some options you can use for successful scoring on the free throw.

Free Throw Option 2

In this situation, the shot went up, but the #2 guy couldn’t catch the ball and shoot it again, so he taps the ball to the upper left corner of the shot box to the shooter, who is sliding out to the side.

This is a technique that you must add to your repertoire because if that number 2 man can’t shoot the ball, he is going to be facing that upper corner and it is an easy tap right to the shooter.

Free Throw Option 3

Say it is the end of the game. You are down 4 points with 2 seconds to go, and you are shooting 2. You make the first shot and you are now down 3 points – still with 2 seconds to go.

As your shooter takes that shot, and you run the option formation, you can set up your players to be prepared if that shot is missed off the side. Your shooter can then slide out to be open deep, uncovered, and he can go for the 3 point shot without pressure.

 

Looking for more free throw techniques, drills and tips?  Be sure to “Like” Us on Facebook or join us on Google+, where we talk more about this subject, as well as more valuable basketball mechanics, passing and dribbling drills & tips and a whole lot more!

Motion Offense and Reacting To The Defense

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Motion Offense and Reacting To The Defense

A Motion Offense is a flexible system where you read the defense and read your teammates, and then play off of what you see happening around you.  Motion Offense is supposed to consist of no per-determined movement, with all decision making happening on the fly, as a result of what your athletes mentally and visually determine during game play.

The Benefits of a Motion Offense are:

  • Fit Offense to Players
  • Variable Sets
  • Difficult to Scout because there are no predetermined moves
  • Equal Opportunity Offense, so you can have a balance in shot distribution
  • Teaches Kids How to Play
  • Flexibility

 

But what exactly is Motion Offense?

The motion offense is a generic term for any offense that uses court movement, cuts to the ball or the basket, and good screen setting.  The one thing that separates it from other types of offense is that it is quite flexible – you don’t have to have set plays every time you bring the ball down the court.

Instead, the Motion Offense is focused on teaching players to use a basic set of rules for their movements, and then to react to what is being done defensively on the court.  With the variation in defense, the motion offense has a variety of looks and several different options available.

 

Secrets to a Killer Motion Offense Game

Every coach wants a “killer” motion offense game, right? Check out Secrets to a Killer Motion Offense Game, where we break down:

  • Dribbling
  • Screen Roll
  • Screen & Pop
  • The Backdoor Cut
  • Screen The Passer
  • The Dribble Hands-Off
  • and more!

And then be sure to check out this awesome shooting drill for motion offense!

Two-Ball Shooting Drill for Motion Offense

What do you think?  Are you ready for a killer motion offense game?  Then you’ve got to try these techniques!  After you do, be sure to come back and let us know the results!

 

Be sure to “Like” Us on Facebook or join us on Google+, where we talk about motion offense drills, basketball mechanics, passing and dribbling tips and a whole lot more!