Talent can take players only so far in basketball. Repetition through drills helps keep skills sharp and provides the conditioning required to compete at a high level. Five-star basketball drills solidify fundamentals and keep players pushing their limits so they are prepared for any game situations that come up. These drills will help players develop top-notch shooting, dribbling and defensive skills.
Increase Your Range
The Increase Your Range drill found on the Basketball Drills and Plays website is designed to teach players that the same shooting motion and fundamentals should be used from most every spot on the court. Two players perform the drill, with one standing under the basket and the other 15 feet away. The player under the basket passes the ball to the shooter, who catches it and shoots, then hustles to get the rebound. The player who started under the basket will then set up 15 feet from the basket and take a pass from the first shooter, attempt a shot and go after the rebound. The process then repeats itself. The players continue trading places 15 feet from the basket until they combine to make five shots. At that point, the drill moves out to the 3-point line and continues. After combining to make five shots beyond the 3-point line, the players move back to the 15-foot distance and combine to make five shots again. The players should move to different spots on the court while maintaining the 15-foot and 3-point line distances to increase their versatility. Aside from the shooting practice, the Increase Your Range drill also provides excellent conditioning.
Three-Man Weave
The Three-Man Weave drill forces players to work on passing skills while on the run, as the goal of the drill is to never allow the ball to touch the ground. According to the Basketball Plays and Tips website, start the drill with three players spread evenly across the baseline, sideline to sideline, and the middle player holding the ball. The middle player passes to the player on the right, and all three players start jogging up the court. The player who passed the ball moves behind the player on the right and takes his position, while the player on the right passes the ball to the player on the left as he moves behind to take the left position. Continue the passing and weaving pattern to the opposite baseline, ending the sequence with one player shooting a layup. The drill can then be repeated going the opposite way on the court. As players become accustomed to the drill, increase the speed until reaching full game speed.
Cat and Mouse Drill
One aspect of good defense is to make the ballhandler uncomfortable. The Cat and Mouse drill teaches defenders to get up close to ballhandlers and follow every ball movement in hopes of causing the offensive player to make a mistake. According to the Sacred Hoops website, the player with the ball takes two dribbles toward the defender and picks up the dribble. The defender should be in a low position and yell out "Ball" while mirroring every ball movement the offensive player makes. The offensive player should fake overhead passes and bounce passes in addition to pivoting on one foot. After counting to five, the offensive player takes two more dribbles to a different spot and repeats the series of ball fakes. The drill teaches defenders to have active hands but to avoid making contact with the ballhandler and thus commit a foul.
Member Comments