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.

Fun Kids Basketball Drills: “Monkey-in-the-Middle”, “Loose Ball Scramble” & “Crazy H-O-R-S-E”

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Check Out These 3 Fun Kids Basketball Drills!

In today’s blog post, I am bringing you a couple more fun kids basketball drills – “Monkey-in-the-Middle”, “Loose Ball Scramble” and “Crazy H-O-R-S-E”.  Implement these fast-paced, kids basketball drills into your practice plan, and your kids are going to be working hard and loving every minute of it!

Monkey-in-the-Middle

This wacky basketball game helps kids develop their ball handling and defensive skills. Start by dividing the team into groups of five or six. The players will form a circle and one player will stand in the middle.

To play the game, the players in the circle will practice their ball handling skills by dribbling, pivoting, and passing the ball to each other. They should only hold the ball for three seconds before passing it.

The player in the middle will work on defense by trying to steal or intercept the ball. Once he gets the ball, he becomes part of the circle and the person who had it last becomes the monkey in the middle.

monkey in the middle kids basketball game

Coaches and assistants will need to watch to make sure players are using good techniques to dribble and pass the ball. While players are allowed to pivot, they cannot move out of their positions in the circle.

 

Loose Ball Scramble

This exercise is a fun way to teach players to go for loose balls. Start by dividing the team into as three groups.

The groups will line up with the adult in the middle with the ball. The coach or helper will toss the ball, and the kids race to get it. The adult should use different tosses each time – up in the air, straight ahead, to one side or the other, even rolling on the ground – to prepare players for real game-like situations.

loose ball scramble kids basketball game

Once a player is able to secure the ball, he dribbles to the closest basket and attempts to score (1 vs 2) against the other players. The other players try to steal the ball or secure a rebound so they can score on their own. The drill is finished when one of the players scores.

Coaches and helpers should remind players that the goal is to go for the ball, not each other. Players should be aggressive, but they need to be careful not to hurt each other.

 

Crazy H-O-R-S-E

For this game, kids will play just like regular H-O-R-S-E, only they should practice using crazy or fancy shots to make a basket.

Divide the players into as many groups as there are baskets available. The kids will take turns taking fancy shots, like shooting backwards or using air time to twist, double pump, and change angles. The players have to attempt the same shot the first player tried. The game won’t be the same as usual H-O-R-S-E because the players will probably make fewer shots, but they should be encouraged to have fun and try new things.

 

For more fun kids basketball drills, be sure to check out “Basketball Basics for Kids”.  And be sure to Become a Fan on Facebook, where I will share more fun kids basketball drills and ideas!

The Niagara Drill for Transition Offense

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The Niagara Transition Offense Drill

You need to score, so if a player misses the shot, you have to get on the boards and score, because you want the opportuity to run the organized break on a score.  In today’s video blog post, we are demonstrating a fantastic 5 Man Transition Offense Drill that will condition your players to react quickly and shoot accurately in order to gain the organized break advantage.

This drill is a 5 Man Drill, run 5 lengths of the court

In order, the 1 shoots a jump shot, followed by the 2, 3, 4 and finally 5. You still want the big men taking it out and you still want to run your lanes and go 5 lengths of the court.

Breaking Down the Niagara Transition Offense Drill

– Start with the coach throwing the ball off the backboard
– The ball is taken down the court, and the 1 gets the ball down the middle and takes a foul line jump shot. If he misses, be sure to rebound for the score!
– Inbound the ball to the 2, or the partner of the 2, and move the ball down to court. The 2 shoots a jump shot.
– Repeat this cycle with the 3 shooting a jumper, and then the 4 and 5

 

If you liked this drill, check out the “Live 5 on 5 Transition Offense Drill“.

Stay tuned for more great Transition Offense topics, tips and tricks!  Ans be sure to “Like” Us on Facebook or join us on Google+, where we talk about footwork drills, basketball mechanics, shooting and dribbling and much more!

Shooting Layups – The Basics: Part 1

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In today’s video blog post, we are going to be talking about an awesome topic – Shooting Layups!  In “Shooting Layups – The Basics: Part 1”, we are breaking down the fundamentals of layup shooting, and demonstrating a great no ball drill you can incorporate into your practice plan, so your young players can get comfortable with making those layup shots!

Shooting Layups – The Basics: Part 1

When you are shooting a layup, always remember that it, if it is a pass, is a two-handed catch and if it’s a dribble, it’s a two-handed pick-up. So you always pick the ball up with two hands, and chin the ball (get the ball) on your outside shoulder. Jump off of the opposite foot, so the same arm and leg will go up in the jump.

Remember to start with your hand behind the ball, elbow under the ball and a complete follow through. Be sure to use the backboard on almost every layup (unless you can dunk it!)

Shooting Layups Drill – Running Without The Ball

– Beginning with a right hand layup shot, start in triple threat and take a few steps with chin to the (imaginary) ball. Jump off the opposite foot (the left foot) and extend for maximum height, with the shooting arm strong.

– Be sure to hold the follow through. Follow through means shoot for the stars and make a parachute with your hand. So shoot high and make a parachute with your hand – not too tight and not too soft, but firm. Remember, a parachute floats!

– Come back down the court, working the left hand layup shot with the same steps, beginning with a crossover drive and hopping off the right foot.

– Perform a minimum of 3 right handed layups and 3 left handed layups

Got it? Now check out part 2 of this series for more tips on shooting layups!

Stay tuned for more great drill topics, tips and tricks for shooting layups!  Ans be sure to “Like” Us on Facebook or join us on Google+, where we talk about footwork drills, basketball mechanics, shooting and dribbling and much more!