When you watch basketball on television, it might seem like a complex game that requires advanced skills and athleticism to compete at a high level. While this is true, basketball can be broken down into a number of skills that can be developed at a young age through some basic drills.
Two-Person Shooting Drill
While you can practice your shooting on your own, you can work a little more efficiently and put up more shots with the help of a second person to rebound. Have one player line up to the right of the free throw line and one player to the left; if you are a post player you can start closer to the rim and if you are working on your three-point shooting you can start farther away. One player starts, taking a shot, then following the shot and grabbing the rebound. He then turns and makes a chest pass to the other player, who takes a shot and follows his rebound, following the pattern.
Figure-8 Dribbling Drill
Dribbling is a skill that is worked on almost exclusively by yourself, and one drill that you can do anywhere from the gym to your kitchen is the figure-8 dribbling drill. Start with your knees bent, your legs shoulder-width apart and the ball in your right hand. Dribble the ball from in front of you to behind you, switching the ball to your left hand. Dribble with your left hand around the left side of your body to the front, and then pass the ball through your legs from your left hand to your right. Keep the ball low and move the ball quickly, making a continuous figure-8 through your legs. Switch directions, moving the ball from back to front after a while.
Three-Man Weave
The three-man weave is a passing drill that requires the use of the entire basketball court, as well as conditioning and coordination. Start with three players spread across one baseline, with the ball in the middle player's hands. Pass the ball to the player on the right, and loop around to the right of that player as that player moves to the middle, all while moving down the court. The ball is then passed to the player on the left, with the center player looping behind the left player as the left player takes the center spot. Move forward down the court, aiming to catch and pass the ball within two steps, to avoid traveling. End the drill with a layup at the opposite end of the court.
Defensive Shell Drill
Using 10 players, five on offense and five on defense, set up an offensive formation and have the defensive players take their positions as well. Rotate the ball between the offensive players, with the defensive players shuffling their feet into position with each pass. The drill works for both man-to-man and zone defenses, as the defense needs to move into position no matter what type of defense is played. The offense should start at about half-speed, as this drill focuses on defensive movement and positioning rather than on the offense. Pick up the pace, eventually hitting full speed, then have the two teams switch sides.
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