Drills Packet

DRILLS PACKET

jccstl.org Basketball Drills for all ages

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Ball Handling Fundamentals and Drills

These are the drills: Do each one about 30 to 60 seconds and then move to the next one. With all of these drills, try to keep your eyes forward, without looking at the ball. Start all practices with these drills or similar ones to get hands warmed up and loose.

Finger Grabs: Hold the ball with the fingertips, squeezing it while rotating it back and forth from hand to hand. The ball should not touch the palms of the hands.

Slaps: Pound or slap the ball hard from hand to hand

Tipping: Tip the ball back and forth from one hand to the next, starting with your hands straight up over your head. Then gradually move the ball down, while continuing to tip it back and forth. Go down to your chest, then your waist, knees, and ankles, and then back up again. Keep your elbows straight.

Circles: Put your feet together and make circles around both legs. Then circle around the back. And then circle around the head. Then combine them and move the ball in circles around your head, then down your body, down around your knees, and then around your ankles (“candy cane”). Then come back up again. Be sure to use your fingertips, not the palms.

Around Each Leg and Figure Eights: Put one leg forward and move the ball in a circular motion around the leg. Then do the other leg. Finally, spread your legs out wide with the ball in front of you. Move the ball around through your legs in a figure-of-eight motion. Keep your eyes forward and don’t let the ball hit the floor. After 30 seconds, reverse the direction.

Drops: Put the ball between your feet and grab it with both hands. Start with the left hand behind your left leg and your right hand in front of your right leg. Drop the ball and let it bounce once. Quickly, move your left hand in front of your left leg and your right hand behind your right leg, and catch the ball as it bounces up. Drop it again and switch your hands back to the original position (left behind, right in front) and catch it. Repeat this motion continuously. For a more difficult variation, try catching the ball before it actually hits the floor!

Toss Up and Catch Behind: Here’s a fun drill the players like. Toss the ball up over your head. Reverse pivot and catch the ball behind your back.

Crab Walk: Walk, bent over up the floor and put the ball between the legs, back and forth as you go. The ball is brought over the front of the thigh, then through the legs and then behind the opposite thigh and around and over the thigh.

JCC Youth Basketball Drills 2010 • 1 • www.jccstl.comjccstl.org Dribbling Stationary Skills

Up and Downs Start by dribbling the ball in front of you so that the ball reaches your waist high. Gradually, bounce the ball harder and harder until you are dribbling the ball as high as you can without jumping. Then gradually dribble the ball lower and lower until you are on one knee, finishing as close to the floor as possible. Pound the ball quickly to keep it going. Then do it with the other hand.

Kills Dribble the ball waist high, then suddenly “kill” it by dribbling it as low as you can, hold this for a few seconds, then bring it back up to waist high. Do this several times with each hand.

Circle Dribbles This drill is similar to “Circles” except now the ball is dribbled. Dribble around your left leg then your right. Next, using both hands, dribble around both legs which should be together. Next, kneel down on one knee and dribble around your body and under your leg. After that, switch knees and continue. Then, while on your knees, dribble around your body, using both hands.

Figure Eight This drill is similar to the ball-handling figure eights drill except now the ball is dribbled through your legs in a figure-of- eight motion. Use both hands and be sure to look up while doing this drill.

Back and Forth Under the Legs Get crouched over with your right knee and leg forward. V-dribble the ball behind the extended leg. Repeat behind the other leg.

Crossover Dribbles Dribble with your right hand. Bounce the ball once on the right side, then cross the ball over in front of you by bouncing it to the left. The left hand now bounces it on the left once, and then crossover back to the right, where the right takes over again. Repeat this procedure.

V-Dribble in Front Start with the right hand and dribble once on the right side. Then dribble the ball in front you, as if you were going to cross over to the left side. Instead of getting it with your left hand, roll your right hand over the top of the ball, and bring it back to the right. Keep dribbling like this: right then cross over V-dribble. Repeat with the left hand.

Side V-Dribble Now do the v-dribble on the side. Do both left and right hands. Also try some of the 2-ball drills. There are demonstrations of all these drills in the video clips library. See the one and two-ball dribbling drills, and ball-handling drills.

JCC Youth Basketball Drills 2010 • 2 • www.jccstl.comjccstl.org 4 Start with the right hand and dribble once on the right side. Then dribble the ball in front you, as if you were going to cross over to the left side. Instead of getting it with your left hand, roll your right hand over the top of the ball, and bring it back to the right. Keep dribbling like this: right then cross over V-dribble. Repeat with the left hand. Side V-Dribble Now do the v-dribble on the side. Do both left and right hands. Also try some of the 2-ball drills. There are demonstrations of all these drills in the video clips library. See the one and two-ball dribbling drills, and ball-handling drills. Tight Chairs:

Tight Chairs: The Drill: The Drill: Each player has a ball and will dribble between the chairs, making a Each player hasprescribed a ball and dribble-move will dribble atbetween each chai ther. We chairs, do the making same move a prescribed at each of dribble-move atthe each six chair.chairs Weand dowill the do onesame or movetwo "laps" at each through of the the sixchairs chairs for eachand will do one or twodribble “laps” move through (depending the chairs on how for much each time dribble we want move to (dependingspend on the drill). Some of the dribble moves that we use are: on how much time(1) thewe crossoverwant to spenddribble on the drill). Some of the dribble moves that we use are:(2) in-and-out move (1) the crossover(3) dribble behind the back move (2) in-and-out move(4) thru the legs dribble (5) spin move (3) behind the back move (4) thru the legs Wedribble start with the left hand. After doing all the moves left-handed, we turn (5) spin move the chairs around, start from the opposite side and do all the same moves with the right hand. We start with the left hand. After doing all the moves left-handed, we turn the 5 chairs around, startPointers: from the opposite side and do all the same moves with the Note that the upper part of each diagram shows the crossover move to the lane, while each lower right hand. We want the drill up-tempo, at "game-speed". Stress that your players "attack" thecourt chair shows and keep the their non-crossover eyes forward. move... this is just for illustration. Have all players do the same This drill will help develop your player's dribble moves and ball-handling.move on We both have ends all ofplayers, the floor. For variety, we may have them shoot a lay-up on one end and a Pointers: including post players, do this drill. You may be surprised at the improvementpull-up jumper that atyou the will other see end. over We want the drillthe up-tempo, course of at the “game-speed”. season if you Stress frequent that yourthis playersdrill for “attack” 5-10 minutes. the chair and keep their eyes forward.

This drill will helpBasketball develop your player’s Drill dribble - Dribbling moves and ball-handling. Moves WeDrills have all players, including post players, do this drill. You may be surprised at the improvementFull-Court that you will see overDribble-Moves the course of the season Drill if you frequent#1 this drill for 5-10This minutes. drill is one of our favorites. We use this full-court dribbling drill to practice specific dribbling moves. Refer to Diagram A. Use two lines, and start out using the right-handed dribble. On each end of the floor, have an assistant or manager stand at the arc as a token, stationary defender (does not actually steal the ball or defend). You could also use chairs or cones. Each player has a ball. The first player in each line starts at the half-court sideline and dribbles up to the Basketballtoken defender, Drill and - thenDribbling executes the dribble Moves move that Drills you have told the group to do. This could be a hesitation (rocker) move, an "in and out" move, an "in and out" - crossover combination move, a stutter move, a crossover dribble, a rocker step combined with a crossover dribble, a stutter cross-over, a behind the back move, a through the legs move Full-Court Dribble-MovesAfter making the Drill move, #1 the player dribbles around and shoots the lay-up (or a jump stop and5 short This drill is one ofjumper our favorites. on the crossoverWe use this move full-court to the dribbling lane).Note He/she drill that to prac- getsthe upper the rebound, part of eachdribbles diagram to the shows opposite the corner,crossover move to the lane, while each lower tice specific dribblingpivots andmoves. dribbles Refer toup Diagramthe sideline. A. Use We two have lines,court two andshows ch startairs the out(or non-crossover cones) along move...the sideline this isand just we for have illustration. Have all players do the same using the right-handedthem make dribble. another On each dribble end ofmove the floor,on each havemove chair an assistantonand both then ends orget intoof the the floor. line goingFor variety, the other we way.may have them shoot a lay-up on one end and a manager stand Youat the can arc practiceas a token, some stationary or all of defender the dribbling (doespull-up not moves actually jumper above. at the Then other have end. the lines face the opposite steal the ball or direction,defend). You move could the also chairs use chairs(or cones) or cones. and repeatEach player all these has moves with the left-hand (Diagram B). a ball. The first player in each line starts at the half-court sideline and dribbles Full-Court Dribble-Moves and Lay-up Drill #2 up to the token defender, and then executes the dribble move that you have See Diagram C above. Have your players line-up behind O1, on the baseline. O1 speed dribbles down the court with the told the group to do. This could be a hesitation (rocker) move, an “in and out” left hand. After reaching point A, O1 makes the prescribed dribble move, speed dribbles to point B, makes another move, an “in and out” - crossover combination move, a stutter move, a cross- dribble move, angles toward the basket for the left-handed lay-up, gets the rebound, and starts back up the floor on the opposite side, again using the left hand, finishes the lay-up and moves to the end of the line. Have each player do a over dribble, a rocker step combined with a crossover dribble, a stutter cross- prescribed move when reaching points A, B, C and D. You can do a rocker step, in and out, crossover, behind the back, over, a behind the back move, a through the legs move. thru the legs, spin move, etc. The next player starts as soon as the preceding player reaches half court. Have all the players go around several times. Younger teams can run this drill first with the right hand, and then do the left (even After making the move, the player dribbles around and shoots the lay-up (or a more conditioning). jump stop and short jumper on the crossover move to the lane). He/she gets the rebound, dribbles to the opposite corner, pivots and dribbles up the sideline. We Variation, Finish the Lay-up Against Pressure. have two chairs (or cones) along the sideline and we have them make another Place a defender in the paint or under the basket at each end (a coach or manager), who offers a token defense against dribble move on each chair and then get into the line going the other way. the lay-up... no blocks or steals allowed (nothing that would slow the flow of the drill). Sometimes our assistant will use a football blocking pad and give the offensive player a little shove or contact when shooting the lay-up (to get them used to finishing when there is defensive contact). You can practice some or all of the dribbling moves above. Then have the lines face the opposite direction, move the chairs (or cones) and repeat all these moves with the left-hand (Diagram B). JCC Youth Basketball Drills 2010 • 3 • www.jccstl.comjccstl.org Full-Court Dribble-Moves and Lay-up Drill #2 See Diagram C above. Have yourDribble-Tag players line-up behind Drills O1, on the baseline. O1 speed dribbles down the court with the left hand. After reaching point A, O1 makes the prescribed dribble move, speed dribbles to point B, makes another dribble move, angles toward theThis basket drill for thewill left-handed improve lay-up,dribbling gets theand rebound, ball-handling and starts and back the up kidsthe floor seem on tothe like it. It is similar to opposite side, again using the leftthe hand, kid's finishes game the "tag." lay-up and moves to the end of the line. Have each player do a prescribed move when reaching points A, B, C and D. You can do a rocker step, in and out, crossover, behind the back, thru the legs, spin move, etc. TheSet-up: next player starts as soon as the preceding player reaches half court. Have all the players go around several times.Every Younger player teams on can the run team this drill has first a ball, with andthe right is restricted hand, and thento a dohalf the court left (even area. All the players must more conditioning). dribble the entire time. Variation, Finish the Lay-up Against Pressure. Place a defender in the paint or under the basket at each end (a coach or manager), who offers a token defense against the lay-up... no blocks or steals allowed (nothing that would slow the flow of the drill). Sometimes our assistant will use a football blocking pad and give the offensive player a little shove or contact when shooting the lay-up (to get them used to finishing when there is defensive contact).

Dribble-Tag Drills This drill will improve dribbling and ball-handling and the kids seem to like it. It is similar to the kid's game "tag." Set-up: Every player on the team has a ball, and is restricted to a half court area. All the players must dribble the entire time. 5 Note that the upper part of each diagram shows the crossover move to the lane, while each lower court shows the non-crossover move... this is just for illustration. Have all players do the same move on both ends of the floor. For variety, we may have them shoot a lay-up on one end and a pull-up jumper at the other end. Note that the upper part of each diagram shows the crossover move to the lane, while each lower court shows the non-crossover move... this is just for illustration. Have all players do the same move on both ends of the floor. For variety, we may have them shoot a lay-up on one end and a pull-up jumper at the other end.

Full-Court Dribble-Moves and Lay-up Drill #2 See Diagram C right. Have your players line-up behind O1, on the baseline. O1 speed dribbles down the court with the left hand. After reaching point A, O1 makes the prescribed dribble move, speed dribbles to point B, makes another dribble move, angles toward the basket for the left-handed lay-up, gets the rebound, and starts back up the floor on the opposite side, again using the left hand, finishes the lay-up and moves to the end of the line. Have each player do a prescribed move when reaching points A, B, C and D. You can do a rocker step, in and out, crossover, behind the back, thru the legs, spin move, etc. The next player starts as soon as the preceding player reaches half court. Have all the players go around several times. Younger teams can run this drill first with the right hand, and then do theFull-Court left (even more conditioning). Dribble-Moves and Lay-up Drill #2 See Diagram C above. Have your players line-up behind O1, on the baseline. O1 speed dribbles down the court with the Variation, Finish the Lay-up Againstleft hand. Pressure.After reaching point A, O1 makes the prescribed dribble move, speed dribbles to point B, makes another Place a defender in the paint ordribble under move, the basketangles towardat each the end basket (a coach for the or left-handed manager), lay-up, who offersgets the a rebound,token defense and starts against back up the floor on the opposite side, again using the left hand, finishes the lay-up and moves to the end of the line. Have each player do a the lay-up... no blocks or steals allowed (nothing that would slow the flow of the drill). Sometimes our assistant will use prescribed move when reaching points A, B, C and D. You can do a rocker step, in and out, crossover, behind the back, a football blocking pad and givethru the the offensive legs, spin playermove, etc.a little The shove next player or contact starts as when soon shootingas the preceding the lay-up player (to reaches get them half usedcourt. Have all the to finishing when there is defensiveplayers gocontact). around several times. Younger teams can run this drill first with the right hand, and then do the left (even more conditioning).

Dribble-Tag Drills Variation, Finish the Lay-up Against Pressure. This drill will improve dribblingPlace and aball-handling defender in the and paint the or kids under seem the basket to like at it. each It is end similar (a coach to the or kid’smanager), game who “tag.” offers a token defense against the lay-up... no blocks or steals allowed (nothing that would slow the flow of the drill). Sometimes our assistant will use a football blocking pad and give the offensive player a little shove or contact when shooting the lay-up (to get them used Set-up: to finishing when there is defensive contact). Every player on the team has a ball, and is restricted to a half court area. All the players must dribble the entire time.

The Drill: Start the game with one player as “it”. While maintaining the dribble, each player must try to tag another player, who is then “it”. Players try to avoid getting tagged and becoming “it”. They must stay within the half court area and must continue dribbling. If a player leavesDribble-Tag the area, or double-dribbles, Drills stops dribbling, or gets tagged, then he/she is “it”. This drill will help develop ball handling, and to avoid getting tagged, players must keep their heads up. If you have a large group with some good ballThis handlers, drill will and improve some not dribbling so good, and you ball-handling can put the better and dribblersthe kids seemon one to end, like and it. It the is similar to other group on the other end, theso thekid's same game kids "tag." don’t get picked on all the time. You can vary this drill by making them use the opposite (weak) hand only. Set-up: Here’s another variation: Every player on the team has a ball, and is restricted to a half court area. All the players must Each player has a ball and is confineddribble the to entirewithin thetime. 3-point arc. The same rules as above apply in that each player must continue dribbling, and must not double-dribble, stop dribbling or leave the playing area. This is an elimination game where the players dribble around and try to flick the other player’s ball away. Once you lose your ball, or stop your dribble, double-dribble, or leave the area, you are “out”, while the others keep dribbling. Eventually you will get down to a smaller number of players. Then change the playing area and make them stay inside the lane or “paint” area, until you have one remaining--- the winner!

JCC Youth Basketball Drills 2010 • 4 • www.jccstl.comjccstl.org Passing Drills

Basketball Drills - Fast-Break, Full-Court Passing Drills -- 2-on-0, 2-on-1, 2-on-2 These full-court, fast-break drills emphasize passing and receiving on the move and finishing the break with a lay-up, or finishing in a 2-on-1 or 2-on-2 situation. We run through all the sets of drills below, starting with the 2-on-0 drills, and then progressing into the 2-on-1 and finally the 2-on-2 drills. Run all these drills in about 10 minutes, and them almost every practice.

2-on-0 Passing Drills See the diagram on the left below. Here players pair up and run (not shuffle sideways) up the floor passing back and forth to each other. The last pass results in a lay-up. The pair gets off the court and line up on the far baseline now, getting ready to come back down the court after all the other pairs have finished. After all pairs have moved up the floor, we then start back down the court to complete the trip both ways. 7 See the middle diagram below. Now we add a defender who runs ahead of the two passers and tries to defend in a 2-on- We run several trips, starting with sharp1 situation. two-handed The defenderchest passes usually up just and moves back. up Thenthe floor we and do triesbounce to defend passes at theup end.and However, the defender may try back. Next, we do two-handed overheadto jump passes between and thefinally passers around-the-back anywhere on the passesfloor to stealup and the back.pass. If the ball is stolen or there is a turnover or a missed pass, the three players just move into line at the far end of the floor. When the last three-some has finished, we come Pointers: back down the court to complete the trip. (1) Make sure your players are talking Pointers:and the passer (also isapply yelling to thethe receiver’s 2-on-2 drill name, below) while the receiver is yelling “ball”. (2) The last pass that sets up the lay-up(1) is Make always sure a bounce the offensive pass. players are talking as above. (3) No dribbling is allowed, except if needed(2) Keep to finish dribbling the lay-up. to a minimum... only when necessary to beat the defense. (4) Make sure everyone is running hard,(3) not When jogging. finishing the 2-on-1 break, we teach the player who has the ball at about the level of the free-throw line to make a power dribble, or "take", to the hoop, looking for either the lay-up or the foul. If the defender comes up high on him/her, then he/she passes off to the teammate cutting to the 2-on-1 Drill hoop. See the middle diagram below. Now we add a defender who runs ahead of the two passers and tries to defend in a 2-on-1 situation. The defender usually2-on-2 just moves Drillup the floor and tries to defend at the end. However, the defender may try to jump between the passers anywhereFinally, on we the finish floor by to adding steal athe second pass. defender If the ballwho is must stolen trail or the there break is anda turnover may not leaveor a the end-line until the offense missed pass, the three players just movehas clearedinto line the at top the of far the end key of or the 3-point floor. arc. WhenThe first the defenderlast three-some sprints up hasthe floorfinished, and tries we to stop, or delay, the 2-on-1 come back down the court to completebreak, the whiletrip. the second defender is sprinting up the floor to provide defensive help at the end. The offense must move quickly and make quick decisions, otherwise they lose their 2-on-1 advantage. Both offensive and defensive players should be "talking", communicating. Pointers: (also apply to the 2-on-2 drill right) (1) Make sure the offensive players are talking as above. (2) Keep dribbling to a minimum... only when necessary to beat the defense. (3) When finishing the 2-on-1 break, we teach the player who has the ball at about the level of the free-throw line to make a power dribble, or “take”, to the hoop, looking for either the lay- up or the foul. If the defender comes up high on him/her, then he/she passes off to the teammate cutting to the hoop.

JCC Youth Basketball Drills 2010 • 5 • www.jccstl.comjccstl.org

Full-Court Weave Passing Drills Passing Drill #1 - 3-Man Full-Court Weave This old drill is still one of the best for passing and catching on the move and conditioning. Players start at one end of the court in three lines, one in the middle and one near each sideline. 2-on-2 Drill Finally, we finish by adding a second defender who must trail the break and may not leave the end-line until the offense has cleared the top of the key or 3-point arc. The first defender sprints up the floor and tries to stop, or delay, the 2-on-1 break, while the second defender is sprinting up the floor to provide defensive help at the end. The offense must move quickly and make quick decisions, otherwise they lose their 2-on-1 advantage. Both offensive and defensive players should be “talking”, communicating.

Full-Court Weave Passing Drills

Passing Drill #1 - 3-Man Full-Court Weave 8 This old drill is still one of the best for passing and catching on the move and conditioning. PlayersThe start middle at one player end O1of the starts court the in weavethree lines, by passing one in the to one middle and one nearof the each sideline sideline. players. O1 then cuts wide around and behind player (O2). O2 now passes to the opposite sideline The middle playerplayer O1 starts (O3) the and weave cuts by around passing and to behindone of the O3. sideline O3 now players. O1 then cuts passeswide around to the and original behind middle player person(O2). O2 (O1) now andpasses cuts to around the opposite sideline O1.player And (O3) so and it goes cuts (seearound diagram). and behind No O3.dribbling O3 now is passes allowed to the original middleexcept person for one(O1) dribbleand cuts to around finish O1.the Andlay-up. so it The goes ball (see should never touch the floor except that the last pass to the diagram). No dribbling is allowed except for one dribble to finish the lay-up. shooter is always a bounce-pass. The ball should never touch the floor except that the last pass to the shooter is always a bounce-pass. We will first run the drill with chest passes, and then again with bounce passes. Receivers should move toward the We will first run the drill with chest passes, and then again with bounce pass- ball, and show a target for the passer. Players should stay es. Receivers should move toward the ball, and show a target for the passer. wide and always cut around and behind the player they Players should stay wide and always cut around and behind the player they just passed to. Passers must call out the receiver's name just passed to. Passers must call out the receiver’s name before passing and before passing and the number of the pass in the sequence the number of the pass in the sequence (e.g. “Ross 1”, “John 2”, “Bill 3”), and (e.g. "Ross 1", "John 2", "Bill 3"), and receivers should receivers should yellyell “ball”. "ball". With With our our high high school school teams, teams, we will we initially will initially run the drill with five passesrun thebeing drill made with before five passescompleting being the made lay-up. before Finally, we will run the drill with eachcompleting team using the onlylay-up. three Finally, passes weto complete will run the drill...drill with now they really have toeach sprint. team using only three passes to complete the drill... now they really have to sprint. We expect players to run the drill at full-speed at all times. If not, stop the drill and have them just run some full-court sprints. Most playersWe wouldexpect rather players run tothe run drill the than drill sprints. at full-speed at all times. If not, stop the drill and have them just run some full-court The next three-somesprints. can startMost once players the previouswould rather group run is beyond the drill half-court. than Start a new line at the far end, and when all groups have comesprints. to that end-line, go back the other way. If we have an odd number, the one or two players left behind will yell “one (or two) back!” and a player(s) will sprint back and go again with that three-some. The next three-some can start once the previous group is beyond half-court. Start a new line at the far end, and when all groups have come to that end-line, go back the other way. If we have an odd number, the one or two players left behind Passing Drill #2 will- 3-Man yell "one Full-Court(or two) back!" andWeave a player(s) with will 3-Point sprint back Shot and go Optionagain with that three-some. Here’s another option you can use when running the 3-man weave above. You can also get two 3-point shots in transition each trip. HavePassing managers (orDrill assistants, #2 or- players3-Man waiting Full-Court in line) on each endWeave of the court. with Players 3-Point run the 3-per- Shot son weave full-courtOption just as above. The only difference is that the trailer (last person down the court on the weave) and the passer fan out to the wing, 3-point arc area on opposite sides. Both players receive a pass from the assistants (or Here's another option you can use when running the 3-man weave above. You can also get two 3-point shots in players on the endline)transition and each shoot trip. the Have 3-pointer. managers They (or assistants,get their ownor players rebound waiting and in give line) the on balleach back end of to the the court. assistants Players (or run the 3- players on the endline).person weave full-court just as above. The only difference is that the trailer (last person down the court on the weave) and the passer fan out to the wing, 3-point arc area on opposite sides. Both players receive a pass from the assistants (or You can make a teamplayers competition on the endline) out ofand it shootby keeping the 3-pointer. track ofThey the get total their team own score rebound (maximum and give thescore ball of back 5 each to the trip assistants - (or players on the endline). count 1 for the lay-up and 2 for each of the “3’s”). Run the drill for 2 minutes and see what their total team score is... you can set a number Youthat canthey make have a teamto achieve, competition or else out it’sof itpush-ups by keeping or track running of the for total everyone team score if they (maximum don’t make score theof 5 goal. each trip - JCC Youth Basketball Drillscount 2010 1 for the lay-up and 2 for each of the "3's").• 6 • Run the drill for 2 minutes and see what their total www.jccstl.comteam jccstl.orgscore is... you can set a number that they have to achieve, or else it's push-ups or running for everyone if they don't make the goal. 9 Passing Drill #3 - 5-Man Full-Court Weave and Transition DrillPassing Drill #3 - 5-Man Full-Court Here is a variationWeave of the three and man Transition weave. In the 5-man Drill weave drill, five players are used and run the traditional weave up the floor. It becomes a transitionHere is adrill variation on the wayof the back. three Coming man weave.back up In the the floor, 5-man it is weavea full-court 3-on-2drill, situation. five players The two are defenders used and are: run the traditional weave up the (1) the player whofloor. shot the lay-up, and (2) the person who made the assist pass for the lay-up. These two playersIt becomes play defense a transition while the drill other on three the way attempt back. to Comingpush the backball up up the floor andthe score. floor, it is a full-court 3-on-2 situation. The two defenders are: (1) the player who shot the lay-up, and (2) the person who made the assist pass for the lay-up. Basic Half-Court Passing Drills These two players play defense while the other three attempt to You must do passingpush the drills ball and up never the floor assume and your score. players are good passers. Poor passing will destroy an offense faster than anything. Crisp accurate passing and receiving make it all work. Many turnovers are related to bad passing or receiving. All players must become good at the chest pass, bounce pass and overhead pass.

Passing Drill #1 - One-Ball Rapid Fire Passing Drill Have your playersBasic line up Half-Courtfacing a solid wall, Passing about two feet Drills from the wall (or a toss-back rebounding device). Each player begins rapidYou fire mustpassing do againstpassing the drills wall, and moving never back assume about your two feetplayers with areeach good pass passers. until 10 Poorfeet awaypassing (5th willpass). Then he/she startsdestroy moving an offense closer to faster wall by than two anything. feet with eachCrisp pass, accurate until 10passing passes and are receiving completed. make Repeat it all this work. 10-pass cycle until eachMany player turnovers has made are a total related 20 passes. to bad passing or receiving. All players must become good at the chest pass, bounce pass and overhead pass. Pointers: Make sure goodPassing passing technique Drill is #1used, - and One-Ball passers step-into Rapid the pass. Fire Passing Drill Have your players line up facing a solid wall, about two feet from the wall (or a toss-back rebounding device). Each player begins rapid fire passing against the wall, moving back about two feet with each pass until 10 feet away (5th Passing Drill #2pass). - Two-BallThen he/she starts Rapid moving Fire closer Passing to wall by Drilltwo feet with each pass, until 10 passes are completed. Repeat this Use groups of four10-pass or fivecycle players.until each There player is has one made passer a total about 20 passes. 6 feet away from and facing a line of receivers (the rest of the group). The passer has a ball and so does one of the receivers. On “Go”, the passer passes quickly to any receiver, Pointers: and the receiver who already has a ball passes simultaneously back to the passer. The passes keep going back and forth Make sure good passing technique is used, and passers step-into the pass. to any receiver who does not have the ball. Do as many chest passes as you can in 60 seconds and then rotate.

Pointers: Passing Drill #2 - Two-Ball Rapid Fire Passing Drill Use good passingUse groupstechnique of four while or fivekeeping players. your There eyes is focusedone passer forward about 6 andfeet awaynot directly from and at facingthe receiver. a line of Have receivers your (the hands rest of up and ready tothe receive group). the The pass. passer Use has youra ball peripheral and so does vision one of to the see receivers. the incoming On "Go", pass. the passer passes quickly to any receiver, and the receiver who already has a ball passes simultaneously back to the passer. The passes keep going back and forth to any receiver who does not have the ball. Do as many chest passes as you can in 60 seconds and then rotate.

Passing Drill #3,Pointers: Simple Partner Passing and Catching Drill Have each playerUse get good a partner,passing technique and each while pair keepinghas a ball, your so eyes they focused can “play forward catch” and notwith dir eachectly other.at the receiver.Have the Have partners your hands separate aboutup 12 and - 15 ready feet to (comfortable receive the pass. passing Use your distance), peripheral and vision face toeach see other.the incoming pass.

Have the players practice each of the three basic passes, starting with the chest pass. Demonstrate the proper techniques with “steppingPassing into” the Drill pass with #3, one Simple foot forward. Partner Snap the pass, Passing with the thumbs and goingCatching through the Drill ball and extending toward the receiver. Make sure the players pass the ball crisply, and not “lob” their passes. Hit the receiver in the chest. The receiver should show a target with his/her hands extended toward the passer. Feet should be squared and shoulder-width apart. After catching the ball, receivers should get into triple-threat position before making the next pass.

JCC Youth Basketball Drills 2010 • 7 • www.jccstl.comjccstl.org 10 Have each player get a partner, and each pair has a ball, so they can "play catch" with each other. Have the partners separate about 12 - 15 feet (comfortable passing distance), and face each other.

Have the players practice each of the three basic passes, starting with the chest pass. Demonstrate the proper techniques with "stepping into" the pass with one foot forward. Snap the pass, with the thumbs going through the ball and extending toward the receiver. Make sure the players pass the ball crisply, and not "lob" their passes. Hit the receiver in the chest. The receiver should show a target with his/her hands extended toward the passer. Feet should be squared and shoulder-width apart. After catching the ball, receivers should get into triple-threat position before making the next pass.

Next, work on bounce passes. Again, passers should start from triple-threat position. The ball should hit the ground Next, work on bounceabout passes.three-quarters Again, from passers the receiver should and start bounce from right triple-threat to his chest. position. Make sure The passers ball should are passing hit the the ground ball with their about three-quartershands from waist the to receiver chest high and - not bounce over the right head to (we his dochest. not believe Make insure an overheadpassers arebounce passing pass). the ball with their hands waist to chest high - not over the head (we do not believe in an overhead bounce pass). Next, work on the two-handed overhead pass or outlet pass. Have the partners move a little farther apart, so that you are working on a longer pass. Players should snap their passes with some arc, but be sure that they are not lobbing their Next, work on thepasses two-handed too high. overhead The arc should pass beor justoutlet enough pass. to Have get over the the partners extended move hands a oflittle a defender, farther apart, but not so so that high you that the are working on a longerpass "floats". pass. ThisPlayers pass should can be thrownsnap their hard, passes and is effective with some as the arc, outlet but passbe sure after that a rebound, they are to notstart lobbing the fast break.their It is passes too high. Thealso arcgood should for throwing be just over enough zone defensesto get over ("skip the passes"). extended To handssimulate of the a defender, outlet pass, but after not receiving so high the that ball, the have the passer turn his back to the receiver, then simulate pulling the ball in, pivot, and make the overhead pass. pass “floats”. This pass can be thrown hard, and is effective as the outlet pass after a rebound, to start the fast break. It is also good for throwing over zone defenses (“skip passes”). To simulate the outlet pass, after receiving the ball, have the passer turn hisPassing back to the receiver,Drill then#4 simulate- "Monkey pulling the ballin in,the pivot, Middle" and make the overhead pass. Form groups of three. Each group has a ball. Line up the passers about 15 feet apart (comfortable passing distance). The third man in each group is the "monkey in the middle" and tries to steal or deflect the ball, while the two outside players Passing Drill #4 try- “Monkeyto pass to each in other. the No Middle” dribbling is allowed, except for a one-bounce sideways dribble to open a passing lane. No Form groups of three.easy lobEach passes group over has the a defender ball. Line are up permitted. the passers Passers about should 15 befeet in aparttriple-threat (comfortable position passingand work distance). on pivoting The and ball fakes to clear the passing lane. For example, the passer can fake an overhead pass to get the defender to raise his hands, third man in each group is the “monkey in the middle” and tries to steal or deflect the ball, while the two outside players then make a bounce pass, or "curl" bounce-pass. try to pass to each other. No dribbling is allowed, except for a one-bounce sideways dribble to open a passing lane. No easy lob passes overRotation: the defender There's are a couplepermitted. ways Passers of doing should this. be One in triple-threat easy way isposition to simply and workchange on thepivoting middle and man ball fakes to clearevery the passing minute, lane. when For youexample, blow the the passer whistle. can Each fake persan overheadon takes passa turn to inget the the middle. defender Or, to wheneverraise his the hands, then makedefender a bounce deflects pass, or the“curl” ball, bounce-pass. the passer now becomes the "monkey in the middle". If no deflections in 30 seconds, switch defenders. Rotation: There’s a couple ways of doing this. One easy way is to simply change the middle man every minute, when you blow the whistle. Each per- Two Variations: son takes a turn in(1) the Defender middle. plays Or, wheneverup tight on thethe defenderpasser (Diagram deflects A). theAfter ball, the pass is the passer now becomesmade, the the defender “monkey sprints in theto the middle”. receiver If and no againdeflections tries to deflectin 30 the seconds, switch defenders.pass. The new passer may not pass until the defender is in position and the defender says "go". Two Variations: (2) Defender plays tight on the receiver, trying to deny the pass. The group (1) Defender playsis up confined tight on to thea given passer area (Diagramon the floo A).r. The After receiver the pass must is try made, to get open the defender sprintsby V-cutting, to the back-cutting,receiver and making again tries contact to deflectwith the thedefender pass. and The new passer may"bouncing not pass off", until etc. the defender is in position and the defender says “go”.

(2) Defender plays tight on the receiver, trying to deny the pass. The group is confined to a given area on the floor. The receiver must try to get open by V-cutting, back-cutting,Passing making Drill contact #5 with - Trianglethe defender and Passing “bouncing Drill off”, etc. Try this "triangle" passing drill for some variety. This drill can be done well by younger players who are not yet adept at full-court drills, such as the weave drill.

Passing Drill #5 You- Triangle can use both Passing baskets and Drill divide the squad into two groups. At each basket, create three passing lines about 12 to 15 feet apart. One line is at the top of the key, another in the ri11ght short corner area, and a third in the left short corner area. Try this “triangle” passingAs an option, drill foryou some can use variety. cones Thisor marks drill oncan the be floor, done so well that by the lines don't "creep" inward. younger players whoTo run are thenot yetdrill, adept start at with full-court the ball drills, at suchthe top as theof key weave (point) drill. and either pass to right or left (can go either direction). The You can use bothplayers baskets start and behinddivide the the squad cones, into step two out groups. to receive At each the pass and basket, create threepass passing to the nextlines stationabout 12 in to same 15 feet direction. apart. One After line the is at players the top of the key, anothermake intheir the pass,right shortthey cornersprint toarea, the and next a linethird inin the leftsame short corner area. As andirection option, youas the can ball, use followingcones or marks their onpass the - floor, no walking. so that theAfter a lines don’t “creep”few inward. sequences, change direction and also alternate between chest passes, bounce passes, and overhead passing. To run the drill, start with the ball at the top of key (point) and either pass to right or left (can go eitherThis direction). drill goes The quickly players and start keeps behind them the cones,moving, step providing out to a receive the pass andlot of pass touches to the in next a short station amount in same of direction. time. After the players make their pass, they sprint to the next line in the same direction as the ball, fol- Pointers: JCC Youth Basketball DrillsMake 2010 sure correct passing techniques are used,• 8 that• the players "step out" to meet the pass, and that thewww.jccstl.com playersjccstl.org receive the ball and place it in triple threat position.

Passing Drill #6 - Drive and Dish Passing Drill Use three guards and three post players. You can divide your 12-man squad into two groups and use both ends of the court.

O1 is at the point. Place two defenders just above the elbows (like against a 2-3 zone). Put a defensive post in the middle of the lane, and two offensive post players half way up the lane on each side. Your point guard (O1), will dribble penetrate and split the two defenders and pass to either post player. The X3 defender will try to deny this pass. The receiving post player can either shoot, make a power move to the hoop, or dish off to the opposite post, who finishes the lay-up.

Passing Drill #7 - 2-Man Passing, Find the Receiver Often I see kids make a bad pass because they actually threw the ball before first locating their receiver (especially against a full-court press). Players must learn to look before they pass! With this drill, the passer must first find the receiver before making the pass. Use both baskets. Have a line under each basket. The first player in line (player #1) speed dribbles out to the three-point line, makes a jump stop and a reverse pivot. Meanwhile, the next player in line (player #2) sprints out to either corner and yells "ball, ball, ball" (mix it up so the passer has to look to find the receiver). The passer makes the crisp chest pass to #2, cuts to the hoop, receives the pass back from #2, and 11

To run the drill, start with the ball at the top of key11 (point) and either pass to right or left (can go either direction). The playersTo run thestart drill, behind start the with cones, the ballstep at out the to top receive of key the (point) pass and passand eitherto the passnext tostation right inor sameleft (can direction. go either After direction). the players The makeplayers their start pass, behind they the sprint cones, to thestep next out lineto receive in the samethe pass and directionpass to the as next the ball,station following in same their direction. pass - After no walking. the players After a fewmake sequences, their pass, change they sprint directi toon the and next also line alternate in the same between chestdirection passes, as the bounce ball, followingpasses, and their overhead pass - passing. no walking. After a few sequences, change direction and also alternate between Thischest drill passes, goes bounce quickly passes, and keeps and overheadthem moving, passing. providing a lot of touches in a short amount of time. lowing their passThis - no drillwalking. goes After quickly a few and sequences, keeps them change moving, direction providing and also a alternate between chest passes, bounce passes, and overhead passing. Pointers:lot of touches in a short amount of time. Make sure correct passing techniques are used, that the players "step out" to meet the pass, and that the players receive This drill goes quicklythePointers: ball and and keepsplace it themin triple moving, threat position.providing a lot of touches in a short amount of time. Make sure correct passing techniques are used, that the players "step out" to meet the pass, and that the players receive Pointers: the ball and place it in triple threat position. Make sure correctPassing passing techniques Drill #6are used, - Drive that the andplayers Dish“step out” Passing to meet the Drillpass, and that the players receive the ball Useand threeplace guards it in triple and three threat post position. players. You can divide your 12-man squad into two groups and use both ends of the court.Passing Drill #6 - Drive and Dish Passing Drill Use three guards and three post players. You can divide your 12-man squad into two groups and use both ends of the Passing Drill #6court. - Drive and Dish Passing Drill Use three guards and three post players. You can divide your 12-man squad into two groups and use both ends of the court. O1 is at the point. Place two defenders just above the elbows O1 is at the point.(like Place against two defendersa 2-3 zone). just Put above a defensive the elbows post (like in against the middle a of 2-3 zone). Put athe O1defensive lane,is at theand post point. two in theoffensive Place middle two ofpost defenders the players lane, and just half two above way offensive up the the elbows lane post players halfon(like way each againstup side.the lane aYour 2-3 on zone). pointeach side. guardPut aYour defensive(O1), point will guard postdribble (O1), in the penetrate will middle of dribble penetrateandthe and lane,split split theand the two twotwo defenders offensivedefenders andpostand pass players toto either half waypostpost upplayer.player. the lane The The X3 defenderX3on will eachdefender try to side. deny will Your this try pass.point to deny Theguard receivingthis (O1), pass. willpost The dribbleplayer receiving can penetrate eitherpost shoot, make a powerplayerand split move can the eitherto two the shoot,hoop,defenders or make dish and aoff powerpass to the to move oppositeeither to post thepost, player.hoop, who or The finishes the lay-up.dishX3 defender off to the will opposite try to post,deny whothis pass.finishes The the receiving lay-up. post player can either shoot, make a power move to the hoop, or dish off to the opposite post, who finishes the lay-up. Passing Drill #7 - 2-Man Passing, Find the Receiver Often I see kids make a bad pass because they actually threw the ball before first locating theirPassing receiver (especially Drill against#7 - 2-Mana full-court press).Passing, Players Findmust learn to look before they pass! With this drill, the passer must first find the receiver before makingthePassing Receiver the pass. Drill #7 - 2-Man Passing, Find Often I see kids make a bad pass because they actually threw the ball Use both baskets.beforethe Have firstReceiver a locatingline under their each receiver basket. (especially The first against player a full-court in line (player press). #1) speed dribblesPlayersOften out I mustseeto the kids learn three-point make to look a bad before line,pass makesbecausethey pass! athey jump With actually stopthis drill, andthrew the a there- passer ball verse pivot. Meanwhile,mustbefore first first thefind locating next the receiver player their receiver inbefore line (playermaking(especially #2)the pass.againstsprints a out full-court to either press). Players must learn to look before they pass! With this drill, the passer corner and yellsUse “ball, both ball, baskets. ball” (mix Have it up aso line the under passer each has tobasket. look to The find first must first find the receiver before making the pass. the receiver). Theplayer passer in makesline (player the crisp #1) chest speed pass dribbles to #2, outcuts to to the the three-point hoop, receives the passline,Use back bothmakes from baskets. a#2, jump and Have stopfinishes anda line thea reverseunder lay-up. each pivot.#2 rebounds,basket. Meanwhile, The and first now the becomes playernextplayer #1 and player in dribbles line in (playerline out (player and #1) repeats speed #2) sp the dribblesrints drill. out out to eitherto the cornerthree-point and yellsline, makes"ball, ball, a jump ball" stop (mix and it aup reverse so the pivot.passer Meanwhile, has to look theto findnext theplayer receiver). in line The(player passer #2) makes sprints the out crisp to either chest corner pass to and #2,yells cuts "ball, to the ball, hoop, ball" receives (mix it upthe so pass the back passer from has #2, to lookand to find the receiver). The passer makes the crisp chest pass to #2, cuts to the hoop, receives the pass back from #2, and

JCC Youth Basketball Drills 2010 • 9 • www.jccstl.comjccstl.org 12 finishes the lay-up. #2 rebounds, and now becomes player #1 and dribbles out and repeats the drill. 12

finishes the lay-up. #2 rebounds, and now becomes12 player #1 and dribbles out and repeats the drill. finishesTeam the Shooting lay-up. #2 rebounds, Drills and now becomes player #1 and dribbles out and repeats the drill. Here are several team shooting drills that we like. We rotate these drills from practice to practice, Team ShootingTeamtrying to Shooting avoid Drills boredom Drills from the same old drill. TeamHere are severalShooting team shooting Drills drills that we like. We rotate these drills from practice to practice, Here are severaltrying team shootingto avoid drillsboredom that we from like. the We same rotate old these drill. drills from practice to practice,Here trying are several to avoid team boredom shooting from drills the same that oldwe drill.like. We rotate these drills from practice to practice, tryingShooting to avoid boredomDrill 1:from "12 the same Sets" old drill. Have players partner-up and use all of your baskets. Each player will shoot 12 sets of shots. Each set consists of a 3-pointer (yellow), a shot- Shooting Drill 1:Shootingfake “12 with Sets” jump shot Drill (green), 1: a catch "12 and Sets" shoot jump shot (blue), and a lay- Have players partner-upShootingHaveup (pink). players and We partner-up use start Drill all in ofone and your corner1: use baskets. all"12 and of rotateyour Sets"Each baskets. around player eachEach will ofplayer shoot the 12 will spots 12 sets of shots.shoot (seenEach 12 in set setsblack consists of in shots. the diagram).of Each a 3-pointer set consistsThe partner (yellow), of a rebounds3-pointer a shot-fake and(yellow), passes with a backshot- to jump shot (green),Havefakethe a shooter.with catchplayers jump and Wepartner-up shot shootrotate (green), shooters jumpand usea shotcatch afteall (blue), ofrand each your shoot set andbaskets. ofjump a four, lay-up Eachshot so (blue),the(pink).player shooter and willWe a lay- shootup (pink). 12 sets We of start shots. in oneEach corner set consists and rotate of a around 3-pointer each (yellow), of the 12 a shot-spots start in one cornerbecomes and rotate the rebounder around each and vice-versa. of the 12 spots (seen in black in fake(seen with in black jump in shot the (green),diagram). a catchThe partner and shoot rebounds jump shotand passes(blue), backand a to lay- the diagram). Theupthe partner(pink). shooter. We rebounds We start rotate in one andshooters corner passes afte andr back eachrotate setto around theof four, shooter. each so theof Wethe shooter 12rotate spots shooters after each(seenbecomes set in black ofthe four, rebounder in theso thediagram). and shooter vice-versa. The becomes partner rebounds the rebounder and passes and back to vice-versa. the shooter. We rotate shooters after each set of four, so the shooter becomes the rebounder and vice-versa. Shooting Drill 2: "3-2-1" Shooting Shooting Drill 2:This “3-2-1” is a fun competitive Shooting drill. Have players partner-up and use all of your baskets. Each player will shoot nine sets of shots (see diagram). This is a fun competitive drill. Have players partner-up and use all of your bas- ShootingEach set consists Drillof a 3-pointer, 2: "3-2-1"a shot-fake with Shooting jump shot, and a lay-up. kets. Each playerShootingThisWe will isstart shoot a fun in one competitivenine cornerDrill sets andof drill. shots rotate2: Have "3-2-1" (seearound players diagram). each partner-up of Shooting theEach nine and set spots use consists all(seen of in of a 3-pointer, ayour shot-fakeblack baskets. in the with diagram).Each jump player shot,The will partner and shoot a rebounds lay-up.nine sets We andof shots startpasses (seein back one diagram). tocorner the and rotate aroundThisEachshooter. each is set a funconsists ofWe the competitive rotate nine of shootersa spots3-pointer, drill. (seenafter Have a sheach in ot-fakeplayers black set of withpartner-upin "3-2-1", the jump diagram). soshot, and the use andshooter The all a lay-up. of your baskets. Each player will shoot nine sets of shots (see diagram). partner reboundsWebecomes and start passes in the one rebounder cornerback to and andthe rotate vice-versa.shooter. around We Theeach rotate two of the players shooters nine competespots after (seen against in Eachblackeach set inother theconsists anddiagram). keep of a track3-pointer, The partnerof their a sh reboundsindiot-fakevidual withand scores. passesjump Each shot, back made and to the a3-pointer lay-up. each set of “3-2-1”,Weshooter.= 3 start points,so theWein one arotateshooter jump corner shooters shot becomes and = 2rotate afterpoints, theeacharound and rebounder set a each oflay-up "3-2-1", of the=and 1 nine point.so vice-versa. the spots Theshooter (seenloser indoes The two playersblackbecomes competepush-ups. in the the against diagram). rebounder each The and otherpartner vice-versa. and rebounds keep The tracktwoand playerspasses of their backcompete individual to the against scores. Each madeshooter.each 3-pointer other We and rotate keep= 3 shooters points, track of aftera their jump each indi shot vidualset of= 2 "3-2-1",scores. points, Each so and the made ashooter lay-up 3-pointer = 1 point. The loserbecomes= 3does points, push-ups.the a rebounderjump shot =and 2 points,vice-versa. and aThe lay-up two =players 1 point. compete The loser against does eachpush-ups. other and keep track of their individual scores. Each made 3-pointer = 3 points, a jump shot = 2 points, and a lay-up = 1 point. The loser does push-ups. Shooting Drill 3:Shooting “45” Shooting Drill 3: "45" Shooting This is another fun,This challenging is another fun, drill. challenging We use both drill. baskets We use bothwith baskets half of withthe teamhalf o f the team at each end. Each player will shoot nine sets of shots. We at each end. Each player will shoot nine sets of shots. We start in one corner Shootingstart in one corner Drill and rotate 3: aroun "45"d each ofShooting the nine spots (seen in and rotate aroundShootingThisblack each is inanother ofthe the diagram). fun, nine Drill challenging spots Each 3:(seen set drill.consists"45" in Weblack of use Shooting ain 3-pointerboth the basketsdiagram). and with a mid-range Each half of set consists of athe j3-pointerump team shot. at each Aand rebounder end.a mid-range Each rebounds player jump will the shot. shoot3-point A nine reboundershot sets and of passes shots. rebounds backWe to 13 the 3-point shotThisstart andthe shooterinis passes anotherone corner who back fun, shot and challengingto fakes rotatethe shooterand aroun drill.shootsd eachwho We a mid-range useofshot the both fakesnine baskets jumper. spots and with (seenshoots After half in the ao f the team at each end. Each player will shoot nine sets of shots. We mid-range jumper.blackjump After in shot, the the thediagram). jump shooter shot, Each becomes the set shooter consists the rebounder becomesof a 3-pointer for thethe andreboundernext a shooter.mid-range for startjumpEach in shot. player one Acorner keepsrebounder and track rotate rebounds of his/he aroun therd own eachShooting 3-point score. of the shot Three-pointers nine and spots passesDrill (seen back = 3in4: to "Team Shooting" the next shooter. Each player keeps track of his/her own score. Three-pointers blackthepoints shooter in and the whomid-rangediagram). shot fakes Eachjumpers and set consistsshoots= 2 points.We a ofmid-range use aA 3-pointer twoperfect lines. jumper. score and The awould Aftershootingmid-range thebe 45 line is at the point. The wing passes to the shooter who takes the 3-point shot, follows = 3 points and mid-rangejump(nine shot.shot, 3's and Athejumpers rebounder nineshooter 2's). = becomes2 Eachrebounds points. player the Athe rebounderperfectmust his3-point shot, try score to shot getsfor achieve theand thewould nextreboundpasses a score shooter.be back 45 andthat togoes to the passing line. Passers move to the shooting line. Everyone will shoot two "3's". (nine 3’s and ninetheEachyou 2’s). shooter setplayer Each for who themkeeps player shot (for track fakesmust varsity, of his/he andtry we shootstor useachieveownNext, aa score. scoremid-range thea ofscoreThree-pointers shooter 28). jumper. thatAny will youplayer Afterreceive = set 3 whothe for the pass, shot fake, take one or two dribbles and shoot the jump shot. Everyone shoots two them (for varsity,jpointsump doeswe useshot, notand achievea mid-rangethe score shooter the of jumperstarget28). becomes Any score = player the2 doespoints. rebounderjumpers. whopush-ups. A perfectdoes Next,for Wethe not score our nextintentionally achieve shooter would shooter. willthebe 45 start at the free-throw line, cut outside and then back-cut to receive the pass for a pull-up Each(nine player3's and keeps nine 2's).track Each of his/he playerr own must score. try to Three-pointers achieve a score = that3 target score doesmake push-ups. the target We score intentionally somewhat make diffijumpcult the toshot. target achieve, Everyone score so a somewhatlotdoes of two players of these. Next, the shooter again starts at the free-throw line, cuts outside, back-cuts, pointsyouusually set and for end mid-rangethem up doing(for varsity,jumpers push-ups! we = 2use points. areceives score A perfectof the 28). pass scoreAny and player would dribbles who be 45in for the lay-up. After completing this rotation, we will move the passing line to the left difficult to achieve,(ninedoes notso3's aandachieve lot nineof theplayers 2's). target Each usually score player doesend mustwing push-ups.up try anddoing to achieverepeat Wepush-ups! intentionally all a scorethe same that shots with the pass coming from the left wing. youmake set the for target them score (for varsity, somewhat we diffiuse acult score to achieve,of 28). Any so a player lot of playerswho doesusually not end achieve up doing the target push-ups! score does push-ups. We intentionally Shooting Drill make4: “Team the target Shooting” score somewhat difficult to achieve, so a lot of players usually end up doing push-ups! We use two lines. The shooting line is at the point. The wing passes to the shooter who takes the 3-point shot, follows his shot, gets the rebound and goes to the passing line. Passers move to the shooting line. Everyone will shoot two “3’s”. Next, the shooter will receive the pass, shot fake, take one or two dribbles and shoot the jump shot. Everyone JCC Youth Basketball Drills 2010 • 10 • www.jccstl.comjccstl.org

Shooting Drill 5: "Boimer Shooting" This is probably our favorite shooting drill and the kids love this drill. Use all the baskets. Split up into groups of three. Each group must make twelve baskets at each of five shot categories. The first group that finishes wins, and all other do push-ups. Each group must make twelve lay-ups, then twelve shots from the block-elbow areas, then twelve medium range jump shots, then twelve 3-pointers and finally twelve shot-fake, one dribble jump shots.

Shooting Drill 6: "3-Man, 2-Ball Shooting Drill" Setup: Have three players and two balls at a basket. Use the side baskets too. Each group has a shooter, rebounder, and passer. Players should shoot from areas where they usually shoot from in a game.

Wing-to-Wing Motion (Diagram A)-- The shooter starts at the right wing with a ball, the passer at the free-throw line with another ball, and the rebounder in the center of the lane. The shooter shoots then sprints to the opposite wing, spots-up, and shoots again. He/she keeps repeating this, going wing-to-wing without dribbling. The rebounder rebounds each shot, passes to the passer, who passes to the shooter. Run this for 1 minute. Then change roles, with each player taking a turn at each of the three positions. 13 Shooting Drill 4: "Team Shooting" We use two lines. The shooting line is at the point. The wing passes to the shooter who takes the 3-point shot, follows his shot, gets the rebound and goes to the passing line. Passers move to the shooting line. Everyone will shoot two "3's". Next, the shooter will receive the pass, shot fake, take one or two dribbles and shoot the jump shot. Everyone shoots two jumpers. Next, our shooter will start at the free-throw line, cut outside and then back-cut to receive the pass for a pull-up jump shot. Everyone does two of these. Next, the shooter again starts at the free-throw line, cuts outside, back-cuts, receives the pass and dribbles in for the lay-up. After completing this rotation, we will move the passing line to the left wing and repeat all the same shots with the pass coming from the left wing.

shoots two jumpers. Next, our shooter will start at the free-throw line, cut outside and then back-cut to receive the pass for a pull-up jump shot. Everyone does two of these. Next, the shooter again starts at the free-throw line, cuts outside, back-cuts, receives the pass and dribbles in for the lay-up. After completing this rotation, we will move the passing line to the left wing and repeat all the same shots with the pass coming from the left wing.

Shooting Drill 5: “Boimer Shooting” This is probably our favorite shooting drill and the kids love this drill. Use all the baskets. Split up into groups of three. Each groupShooting must make twelve Drill baskets 5: at"Boimer each of five shotShooting" categories. The first group that finishes wins, and all other do push-ups. ThisEach is groupprobably must our makefavorite twelve shooting lay-ups, drill and then the twelve kids love shots this fromdrill. Usethe block-elbowall the baskets. areas, Split up then into twelve groups medium of three. Each group must make twelve baskets at each of five shot categories. The first group that finishes wins, and all other do range jump shots, then twelve 3-pointers and finally twelve shot-fake, one dribble jump shots. push-ups. Each group must make twelve lay-ups, then twelve shots from the block-elbow areas, then twelve medium range jump shots, then twelve 3-pointers and finally twelve shot-fake, one dribble jump shots.

Shooting Drill 6: “3-Man, 2-Ball Shooting Drill” Setup: HaveShooting three players Drilland two balls6: "3-Man, at a basket. Use 2-Ball the side basketsShooting too. Each Drill" group has a shooter, rebounder, and passer. Players should shoot from areas where they usually shoot from in a game. Setup: Have three players and two balls at a basket. Use the side baskets too. Each group has a shooter, rebounder, and passer. Players should shoot from areas where they usually shoot from in a game. Wing-to-Wing Motion (Diagram A)--Wing-to-Wing The shooter starts Motion at the right wing with a ball, the passer at the free-throw line with another ball, and the rebounder in the center of the lane. The shooter shoots then sprints to the opposite wing, spots-up, and shoots (Diagram A)-- The shooter starts at the right wing with a ball, the passer at the free-throw line with another ball, and the again. He/sherebounder keeps in repeating the center this,of the going lane. wing-to-wingThe shooter shoots without then dribbling.sprints to the The opposite rebounder wing, rebounds spots-up, and each shoots shot, again. passes to the passer,He/she who keeps passes repeating to the this, shooter. going wing-to-wingRun this for 1without minute. dr ibbling.Then change The rebounder roles, with rebou eachnds eachplayer shot, taking passes a turnto the at each of thepasser, three whopositions. passes to the shooter. Run this for 1 minute. Then change roles, with each player taking a turn at each of the three positions.

Baseline to Free Throw Circle Motion (Diagram B)-- The shooter moves back and forth from the baseline to the free throw circle.

Corner-to-Corner Motion (Diagram C)-- The shooter moves from corner to corner.

For a variation, have a defender “fly” at the shooter. The shooter shot-fakes, dribble adjusts and shoots the jumper.

Shooting Drill 7: “Close-out Shooting Drill” This drill gets your players to practice shooting contested shots, which is more game-like. Use three players at each basket, with one ball. Use all the baskets in the gym if you need to. Have the players shoot from areas on the floor where they will usually be in a game.

Start with two players on the right wing (O1 and O2) and one on the left wing O3 (see Diagram A). O1 shoots, follows the shot, gets the rebound and then passes to O3, and defensively “closes-out” on O3 with hand up so as to contest or distract the shooter (Diagram B). Do not actually attempt to block the shot. The shooter can make a shot fake and JCC Youth Basketball Drills 2010 • 11 • www.jccstl.comjccstl.org 13 Shooting Drill 4: "Team Shooting" We use two lines. The shooting line is at the point. The wing passes to the shooter who takes the 3-point shot, follows his shot, gets the rebound and goes to the passing line. Passers move to the shooting line. Everyone will shoot two "3's". Next, the shooter will receive the pass, shot fake, take one or two dribbles and shoot the jump shot. Everyone shoots two jumpers. Next, our shooter will start at the free-throw line, cut outside and then back-cut to receive the pass for a pull-up jump shot. Everyone does two of these. Next, the shooter again starts at the free-throw line, cuts outside, back-cuts, receives the pass and dribbles in for the lay-up. After completing this rotation, we will move the passing line to the left wing and repeat all the same shots with the pass coming from the left wing.

Shooting Drill 6: "3-Man, 2-Ball Shooting Drill" Setup: Have three players and two balls at a basket. Use the side baskets too. Each group has a shooter, rebounder, and take one quickpasser. dribble Players sideways should to shoot get open. from areas Then where O3 shoots, they usually follows shoot the from shot, in reboundsa game. and passes to O2, and closes- out. Now O2 shoots and follows the same procedure. Wing-to-Wing Motion This rotation continues(Diagram A)--for several The shooter minutes. starts Then at the youright can wing change with a ball,baskets, the passer or change at the free-throwthe location line of with the another shots andball, useand the rebounder in the center of the lane. The shooter shoots then sprints to the opposite wing, spots-up, and shoots again. the corners andHe/she the point. keeps Makerepeating sure this, the going passes wing-to-wing are crisp andwithout accurate, dribbling. the The players rebounder sprint, rebou thends defense each shot, makes passes good to the close-outs (withpasser, baseline who passesfoot back), to the andshooter. the shootersRun this for are 1 minute.squared Then up, changeusing good roles, shootingwith each technique.player taking a turn at each of the three positions.

Perimeter (Guard) Breakdown Shooting Drills

Often in practice we “breakdown” for 10 or 15 minutes and have post players doing their drills at one end and perimeter players doing drills on the opposite end with a coach or assistant at each end. Here are some perimeter shooting drills that we use. We will go through several of these with each player getting two or three repetitions at each drill on each side.

With each drill, we do both sides and we have our players start in triple-treat position, make a jab-step fake or shot fake, and then execute the dribble and shot as indicated in each diagram below. We teach that the left foot is always the pivot foot (for a right-handed player) and vice-versa for the left-handed player. So, when going to the left, right-handed players will make a crossover step, not a crossover dribble (which can be stolen by a defender). We watch players carefully to make sure they are using the cross-over step correctly and do not travel.15

Guard Shooting Drill #1 - Dribble-Baseline: Guard ShootingIn diagram Drill A,#1 the - firstDribble-Baseline: drill is a simple dribble down to the baseline and shoot the mid-range jump shot. Each player gets In diagram A, his/herthe first rebound drill is and a simple goes to dribblethe opposite down line. to the baseline and shoot the mid-range jump shot. Each player gets his/her rebound and goes to the opposite line. Guard Shooting Drill #2 - Dribble-Baseline, Back-Dribble Guard ShootingOut: Drill #2 - Dribble-Baseline, Back-Dribble Out: In diagram B, Ineach diagram player B, willeach dribble player willdown dribble to the down baseline, to the baseline,then back-dribble then back-dribble out, cross-over out, cross-over dribble dribbl ande anddribble dribble into into the seam and theshoot seam the and jump-shot. shoot the jump-shot. This drill isThis important drill is important because be sometimes,cause sometimes, in a game, in a game, players players will will dribble dribble down down to to the baseline, stopthe the baseline, dribble, stop get thetrapped dribble, and get lose trappe thed andball. lose This the dribble ball. This teaches dribble them teaches to themback-dribble to back-dribble out of out the of baseline the baseline and then still find the open shot in the seam. and then still find the open shot in the seam. JCC Youth Basketball Drills 2010 • 12 • www.jccstl.comjccstl.org Guard Shooting Drill #3 - In the Seam: In diagram C, it's a simple dribble move into the seam with the pull-up jump shot. For right-handed players in the right line, this will be a crossover step.

Guard Shooting Drill #4 - Corner, In the Seam: In diagram D, we start with all players in the corner (use both sides). Again, it's triple-threat position, a shot fake or jab- step, and a dribble into the seam between the corner and wing for a mid-range jump shot (like in diagram B).

Guard Shooting Drill #5 - Wing, V-Cut, Lay-up: In diagram E, we again use both sides, and pass from the point to the wing. The wing makes a V-cut, catches the pass in triple-threat position, makes a shot-fake and dribble-drives for a lay-up.

Guard Shooting Drill #6 - Wing, V-Cut, Jump Shot: 15

Guard Shooting Drill #1 - Dribble-Baseline: In diagram A, the first drill is a simple dribble down to the baseline and shoot the mid-range jump shot. Each player gets his/her rebound and goes to the opposite line.

Guard Shooting Drill #2 - Dribble-Baseline, Back-Dribble Out: In diagram B, each player will dribble down to the baseline, then back-dribble out, cross-over dribble and dribble into the seam and shoot the jump-shot. This drill is important because sometimes, in a game, players will dribble down to the baseline, stop the dribble, get trapped and lose the ball. This dribble teaches them to back-dribble out of the baseline and then still find the open shot in the seam.

Guard ShootingGuard Drill #3 Shooting - In the Seam: Drill #3 - In the Seam: In diagram C, Init’s diagram a simple C, dribbleit's a simple move dribble into themove seam into withthe seam the pull-upwith the jumppull-up shot. jump For shot. right-handed For right-handed players players in the in theright right line, this will beline, a crossover this will be step. a crossover step.

Guard Shooting Drill #4 - Corner, In the Seam: In diagram D, we start with all players in the corner (use both sides). Again, it's triple-threat position, a shot fake or jab- Guard Shootingstep, Drilland a dribble#4 - Corner,into the seam In betw theeen Seam: the corner and wing for a mid-range jump shot (like in diagram B). In diagram D, we start with all players in the corner (use both sides). Again, it’s triple-threat position, a shot fake or jab- step, and a dribbleGuard into the Shooting seam between Drillthe corner #5 and - wing Wing, for a mid-range V-Cut, jump Lay-up: shot (like in diagram B). In diagram E, we again use both sides, and pass from the point to the wing. The wing makes a V-cut, catches the pass in triple-threat position, makes a shot-fake and dribble-drives for a lay-up. Guard Shooting Drill #5 - Wing, V-Cut, Lay-up: In diagram E, we again use both sides, and pass from the point to the wing. The wing makes a V-cut, catches the pass in triple-threat position,Guard makes Shooting a shot-fake and Drill dribble-drives #6 - Wing,for a lay-up. V-Cut, Jump Shot:

Guard Shooting Drill #6 - Wing, V-Cut, Jump Shot: 16 In diagram F, useIn diagram both sides, F, use and both pass sides, from and passthe pointfrom theto thepoint wing. to the The wing. wing The makes wing makes a V-cut, a V-cut, catches catches the thepass pass in intriple- triple- threat position, makes a shot-fake and then a one or two-dribble adjust into either the seam or toward the baseline for threat position,the makes mid-range a shot-fake jump-shot. and then a one or two-dribble adjust into either the seam or toward the baseline for

Guard Shooting Drill #7 - Drive, Kick out to Corner: the mid-rangeDiagram jump-shot. H. We like our point guards to dribble-penetrate, and pass out to the corner if defended inside. Here, the point Guard Shootingdribble-penetrates, Drill #7 - Drive,passes out Kick to the corner,out to for Corner: the quick shot from the corner. Diagram H. We like our point guards to dribble-penetrate, and pass out to the corner if defended inside. Here, the point dribble-penetrates,Guard passes Shooting out to the corner, Drill for the #8 quick - shotWeave from the Screen corner. Shooting: Diagram I. This drill helps us execute our weave-screen plays and gets shooters ready to shoot the "3" coming off the Guard Shootingscreen Drill and hand-off. #8 - Weave Screen Shooting: Diagram I. This drill helps us execute our weave-screen plays and gets shooters ready to shoot the “3” coming off the screen and hand-off.Guard Shooting Drill #9 - Dribble at, Back-cut:

JCC Youth Basketball DiagramDrills 2010 J. This drill enforces our rule, "if someone• 13 • is dribbling at you, back-cut" (except in a called weave-screenwww.jccstl.comjccstl.org play). The point dribbles toward the wing. The wing moves out higher, holds a fist up (a signal for a back-cut), and then back-cuts quickly, all the way to the hoop. The point guard should make the pass early. It's important that whenever a player back-cuts, the back-cut must go all the way to the hoop. In a game, if the cutter stops short and the point guard makes the pass, it's a turnover.

Guard Shooting Drill #10 - Feed Post and Slide to Corner: We don't want our perimeter players standing still. When our wing players (O2 and O3) feed the low post, we want them to slide to the corner. Oftentimes, the wing defender will momentarily drop down toward the post, turns his/her head, and momentarily loses sight of our wing. We have our wing slide to the corner. This is an easy pass back out of the post and is often open for the 3-point shot from the corner. Similarly, if the ball is passed from the low post back out to the point, then our wing must slide back up. 16 In diagram F, use both sides, and pass from the point to the wing. The wing makes a V-cut, catches the pass in triple- threat position, makes a shot-fake and then a one or two-dribble adjust into either the seam or toward the baseline for the mid-range jump-shot.

Guard Shooting Drill #7 - Drive, Kick out to Corner: Diagram H. We like our point guards to dribble-penetrate, and pass out to the corner if defended inside. Here, the point dribble-penetrates, passes out to the corner, for the quick shot from the corner.

Guard Shooting Drill #8 - Weave Screen Shooting: Diagram I. This drill helps us execute our weave-screen plays and gets shooters ready to shoot the "3" coming off the screen and hand-off.

Guard ShootingGuard Drill Shooting #9 - Dribble Drill at, Back-cut: #9 - Dribble at, Back-cut: Diagram J.Diagram This drill J. Thisenforces drill enforces our rule, our “if rule,someone "if someone is dribbling is dribbling at you, at you,back-cut” back-cut" (except (except in ina acalled called weave-screen weave-screen play). The point play).dribbles The toward point dribbles the wing. toward The the wing wing. moves The wing out higher,moves outholds higher, a fist holds up a(a fist signal up (a for signal a back-cut), for a back-cut), and then and thenback- cuts quickly,back-cuts all the quickly, way to allthe the hoop. way Theto the point hoop. guard The point should guard make should the make pass the early. pass It’s early. important It's important that whenever that whenever a player a player back-cuts, the back-cut must go all the way to the hoop. In a game, if the cutter stops short and the point guard back-cuts, the back-cut must go all the way to the hoop. In a game, if the cutter stops short and the point guard makes makes the pass, it's a turnover.

the pass, it’sGuard a turnover. Shooting Drill #10 - Feed Post and Slide to Corner: Guard ShootingWe don't wantDrill our #10 perimeter - Feed players Post standing and still. Slide When to our Corner: wing players (O2 and O3) feed the low post, we want We don’t wantthem toour slide perimeter to the corner. players Oftentimes, standing the still. wing When defender our wing will momentarilyplayers (O2 dropand O3)down feed toward the thelow post, post, turns we his/herwant them to slide tohead, the corner. and momentarily Oftentimes, loses the sight wing of defenderour wing. Wewill havemomentarily our wing dropslide todown the corner. toward This the is post, an easy turns pass his/her back out head, of the post and is often open for the 3-point shot from the corner. Similarly, if the ball is passed from the low post back out and momentarily loses sight of our wing. We have our wing slide to the corner. This is an easy pass back out of the post to the point, then our wing must slide back up. and is often open for the 3-point shot from the corner. Similarly, if the ball is passed from the low post back out to the point, then our wing must slide back up.

In diagram K, we have our wings get in triple-treat, curl bounce pass to the low post (coach or manager), and then slide to the corner for the return pass and 3-point corner shot. He/she rebounds and goes to the opposite side.

Guard Shooting Drill #11 - Feed Post and Slide back to Wing: In diagram L, the wing again curl-bounce passes into the post and slides to the corner. Now the ball is passed back out on top to O1 and the wing slides back up, gets the pass from O1 and shoots the 3-pointer, rebounds and goes to the opposite line.

Guard Shooting Drill #12 - Feed Post and Skip-Pass to Opposite Wing: In diagram M, the wing again curl-bounce passes into the post. The post player skip-passes out to the opposite wing for the 3-point shot. We’ll do this drill on one side, and then repeat it on the opposite side.

JCC Youth Basketball Drills 2010 • 14 • www.jccstl.comjccstl.org 17 In diagram K, we have our wings get in triple-treat, curl bounce pass to the low post (coach or manager), and then slide to the corner for the return pass and 3-point corner shot. He/she rebounds and goes to the opposite side. Guard Shooting Drill #11 - Feed Post and Slide back to Wing: In diagram L, the wing again curl-bounce passes into the post and slides to the corner. Now the ball is passed back out on top to O1 and the wing slides back up, gets the pass from O1 and shoots the 3-pointer, rebounds and goes to the opposite line.

Guard Shooting Drill #12 - Feed Post and Skip-Pass to Opposite Wing: In diagram M, the wing again curl-bounce passes into the post. The post player skip-passes out to the opposite wing for the 3-point shot. We'll do this drill on one side, and then repeat it on the opposite side.

Feeding the Low Post Drills Feeding the Low Post Drills The next three drills are “passing into the post” drills as much as they are shooting drills. Feeding the low post oftentimes The next three drills are "passing into the post" drills as much as they are shooting drills. Feeding the low post requires the perimeteroftentimes player requires to themake perimeter a dribble player adjustment, to make a dribblein order adjustment, to get a better in order passing to get aangle better into passing the anglepost. intoIf the the post defender post.is playing If the poston the defender high sideis playing (diagram on the N), high the side perimeter (diagram player N), the should perimeter take player one dribbleshould taketoward one dribblethe baseline toward and feed the post.the baseline If the post and feeddefender the post. is onIf the the post low defender side (diagram is on the O), low our side perimeter (diagram playerO), our should perimeter take player one should dribble take to- one ward the top anddribble feed toward the post. the top These and feednext the three post. drills These are next similar three to drills the are last similar three, to but the now last three,we add but anow post we defender add a post and defender and have the perimeter player make the dribble adjustment.

Guard Shooting Drill #13 - Feed Post (Post Defender on High have the perimeter player make the dribble adjustment. Guard ShootingSide) Drill and #13 -Slide Feed Postto Corner: (Post Defender on High Side) and Slide to Corner: In diagram N, Inwe diagram position N, a we dummy position post a dummy defender post ondefender the high on theside. high The side. defender The defender is there is therejust tojust influence to influence the the passer passer and will not actuallyand will deny not actuallyor intercept deny orthe intercept post pass. the post Our pass. wing Our player wing starts player in starts triple-threat in triple-threat position, position, makes makes a one-dribble a one-dribble adjust to the baseline to create a better passing angle, and then makes a right-handed bounce pass to the post player's adjust to the baseline to create a better passing angle, and then makes a right-handed bounce pass to the post player’s baseline side (away from the defender). This is a left-handed pass if you are on the left side of the court. The passer then baseline side (awayslides tofrom the corner,the defender). gets the returnThis is pass, a left-handed shoots, follo passws the if shotyou andare onrebounds, the left and side gets of back the court.into line. The passer then slides to the corner, gets the return pass, shoots, follows the shot and rebounds, and gets back into line. Guard Shooting Drill #14 - Feed Post (Post Defender on Low Guard ShootingSide) Drill and #14 -Slide Feed Postto Corner: (Post Defender on Low Side) and Slide to Corner: In diagram O, we position a dummy post defender on the low side. Our wing player starts in triple-threat position, makes In diagram O, we position a dummy post defender on the low side. Our wing player starts in triple-threat position, a one-dribble adjust toward the top to create a better passing angle, and then makes a left-handed bounce pass to the makes a one-dribble adjust toward the top to create a better passing angle, and then makes a left-handed bounce pass to post player’s topthe sidepost player's(away fromtop side the (away defender). from the This defender). is a right-handed This is a right-handed pass if you pass are ifon you the are left on side the left of theside court). of the court). The passer then turns and cuts back to the corner, gets the return pass, shoots, follows the shot and rebounds, and gets back into line.

Guard Shooting Drill #15 - Feed Post (Defender on Either Side) Skip-Pass to Opposite Wing: This drill is similar to Drill #12 above, except that we again add a post defender and the dribble-adjustment. We start with one offensive player on the opposite wing ready to accept the skip-pass, shoot, follow the shot, rebound and get back into line. In diagram P, we show the post defender on the high side, but we could have this defender position himself either on the high or low side, teaching the perimeter player to “read” the defender and to make the correct dribble- adjustment.

JCC Youth Basketball Drills 2010 • 15 • www.jccstl.comjccstl.org 18 The passer then turns and cuts back to the corner, gets the return pass, shoots, follows the shot and rebounds, and gets back into line.

Guard Shooting Drill #15 - Feed Post (Defender on Either Side) Skip-Pass to Opposite Wing: This drill is similar to Drill #12 above, except that we again add a post defender and the dribble-adjustment. We start with one offensive player on the opposite wing ready to accept the skip-pass, shoot, follow the shot, rebound and get back into line. In diagram P, we show the post defender on the high side, but we could have this defender position himself either on the high or low side, teaching the perimeter player to "read" the defender and to make the correct dribble-adjustment.

Lay-upLay-up Drills Drills Here are several lay-up drills beginning with the old simple 2-line lay-up drill, a 3-line drill (a good pre-game warm-up drill), and several full-court dribble lay-up drills that also help with conditioning and speed-dribbling. Be sure to see the Here are several lay-up drills beginning with the old simple 2-line lay-up drill, a 3-line drill (a good pre-game warm-up 2-minute drill (onedrill), of andour severalfavorites). full-court For correct dribble lay-uplay-up drillstechnique that also and help footwork, with conditioning see: Lay-ups and speed-dribbling. Be sure to see the 2-minute drill (one of our favorites). For correct lay-up technique and footwork, see: Lay-ups 2-Line Lay-up Drill This classic drill2-Line has been around Lay-up since basketball Drill was invented, and is still a good drill for practicing lay-ups, both right and left-handed. See the diagram. There are two lines,This classica “shooting” drill has line been and around a “rebounding” since basketball line. was invented, and is still a good drill for practicing lay-ups, both right and left-handed. See the diagram. There are two lines, a "shooting" line and a "rebounding" line. The drill starts with the first shooter dribbling in and shooting the lay-up, while the first rebounderThe drillrebounds starts with and the passes first shooter to the dribblingnext shooter in and cutting shooting toward the lay-up, the basket. The shooterwhile goesthe first to rebounderthe rebounding rebounds line and and passes the rebounderto the next shooter goes to cutting the toward the basket. The shooter goes to the rebounding line and the shooting line. After a few minutes, switch sides so that now the left line is the rebounder goes to the shooting line. After a few minutes, switch sides so shooting line (forthat shooting now the left-handedleft line is the lay-ups). shooting Asline an (for option, shooting run left-handed the drill with lay- two balls. ups). As an option, run the drill with two balls. Pointers: Pointers: • When shooting a left-handed lay-up, dribble with the left hand, and vice-versa for right-handed lay-ups. • When shooting a left-handed lay-up, dribble with the left hand, and vice-versa for right-handed lay-ups. • Passes should be• bouncePasses passes. should be bounce passes. • Make sure players are using correct footwork and technique.. • • Make sure the two linesMake start sure well players outside are usingof the correct arc... iffootwork the lines and are technique.. too close to the basket, there is little running and the drill tends to drag.• Make Players sure should the two runlines this start drill well at outside game speed,of the arc... up-tempo. if the lines are too close to the basket, there is little • You can make a teamrunning competition and the out drill of tends it by torequiring drag. Players the team should to runmake this a drill certain at game number speed, of up-tempo. lay-ups within two-minutes. If they fail, everyone does 5 or 10 push-ups. Making it competitive will force players to run the drill • up-tempo, but make sureYou canthey make don’t a team“cheat” competition by allowing out of the it bylines requiring to come the inteam too to close. make a certain number of lay-ups within two-minutes. If they fail, everyone does 5 or 10 push-ups. Making it competitive will force players to run the drill up-tempo, but make sure they don't "cheat" by allowing the lines to come in too close.

3-Line Lay-up Drill 19 This drill helps improve players’ passing, cutting, receiving and ability to make lay-ups. You can3-Line use it as a Lay-uppre-game warm-up Drill drill. This drill helps improve players' passing, cutting, receiving and ability to Drill: make lay-ups. You can use it as a pre-game warm-up drill. A few players line up at the top of the key, one player in the right corner, and the rest of the playersDrill: line up at half-court near the right sideline. Use two balls A few players line up at the top of the key, one player in the right corner, as seen in the diagram. Player #1 passes to player #2 and cuts down the right and the rest of the players line up at half-court near the right sideline. Use sideline, then makestwo balls sharp as seen cut into thethe diagram. basket. PlayPlayerer #1 #2 passes passes to playerthe ball #2 back and cuts to #1 who shoots adown lay-up the (seeright diagramsideline, thenA). After makes shooting, sharp cut #1to thegoes basket. to the Player top-of- #2 the-key line. passes the ball back to #1 who shoots a lay-up (see diagram A). After shooting, #1 goes to the top-of-the-key line. Player #2 rebounds the shot and passes to player #4 in the corner. Player #2 Player #2 rebounds the shot and passes to player #4 in the corner. Player then follows the#2 pass then and follows goes the to pass the andcorner. goes Playerto the corner. #4 passes Player to #4 the passes next to the player in line, andnext follows player thein line, pass, and going follows to the the pass, end goingof half-court to the end line. of half-court Run this drill for both rightline. and Run left this handed drill for lay-ups. both right and left handed lay-ups.

You can vary this drill by having the shooting line shoot jump shots. You You can vary thiscan drill also by make having another the shootingvariation… line pass shoot it into jump the high shots. post, You and can have the also make anotherhigh variation… post player takepass a itshot into or the make high a step post, hop and move, have while the thehigh original post player take a shotpassing or make lane nowa step gets hop the move,rebound while and makesthe original the outlet. passing lane now gets the rebound and makes the outlet.

JCC Youth Basketball Drills 2010 • 16 • www.jccstl.comjccstl.org

2-Minute Full-Court Left-Hand Lay-up Drill This is a favorite drill that we often run at the end of practice. It helps us with our left-handed lay-ups, left-handed dribble and conditioning. It is a competitive drill where the team has to make a certain number of left-handed lay-ups within 2 minutes. We use 75 for high school boys varsity and 65 for girls varsity. If they fail to make the goal, they run or do push-ups.

Drill: Half of the players are on each end of the court with the first two players in each line having a ball. On "Go!" the first two players from each end start the left- handed speed dribble and shoot the left-handed lay-up. The next player on that end gets the rebound and speed dribbles up the other side. Players must speed dribble quickly and make most of their lay-ups to achieve the goal.

If the team fails to make the goal, they run or do push-ups. If we have had a good practice with good effort, we give them a "second chance" by allowing everyone a chance to make a half-court shot. If just one player makes it, nobody has to run and instead they should celebrate as a team mobbing the shooter with lots of "high-5's" ... it's a fun thing and a good way to end practice on a positive note.

Of course, you could run this drill with right-handed lay-ups as well, especially for younger teams and make the goal easier to achieve.

Free-Throw Shooting Drills Free-Throw Shooting Drill #1. "1-and-1" 19 3-Line Lay-up Drill This drill helps improve players' passing, cutting, receiving and ability to make lay-ups. You can use it as a pre-game warm-up drill.

Drill: A few players line up at the top of the key, one player in the right corner, and the rest of the players line up at half-court near the right sideline. Use two balls as seen in the diagram. Player #1 passes to player #2 and cuts down the right sideline, then makes sharp cut to the basket. Player #2 passes the ball back to #1 who shoots a lay-up (see diagram A). After shooting, #1 goes to the top-of-the-key line.

Player #2 rebounds the shot and passes to player #4 in the corner. Player #2 then follows the pass and goes to the corner. Player #4 passes to the next player in line, and follows the pass, going to the end of half-court line. Run this drill for both right and left handed lay-ups.

You can vary this drill by having the shooting line shoot jump shots. You can also make another variation… pass it into the high post, and have the high post player take a shot or make a step hop move, while the original passing lane now gets the rebound and makes the outlet.

2-Minute Full-Court Left-Hand Lay-up Drill This is a favorite2-Minute drill that we oftenFull-Court run at the end Left-Handof practice. It helps Lay-up us with our left-handed lay-ups, left-handed dribble and conditioning. It is a competitive drill whereDrill the team has to make a certain number of left-handed lay-ups within 2 minutes.This isWe a favorite use 75 drillfor highthat weschool often boys run at varsity the end and of practice. 65 for girls It helps varsity. us with our If they fail to left-handedmake the goal,lay-ups, they left-handed run or do dribble push-ups. and conditioning. It is a competitive drill where the team has to make a certain number of left-handed lay-ups within 2 minutes. We use 75 for high school boys varsity and 65 for girls varsity. If they fail Drill: to make the goal, they run or do push-ups. Half of the players are on each end of the court with the first two players in each line havingDrill: a ball. On “Go!” the first two players from each end start the Half of the players are on each end of the court with the first two players in each left-handed speed dribble and shoot the left-handed lay-up. The next player on line having a ball. On "Go!" the first two players from each end start the left- that end getshanded the rebound speed dribble and speed and shoot dribbles the left-handed up the other lay-up. side. The Players next player must on that end speed dribblegets quickly the rebound and make and speed most dribbles of their up lay-ups the other to achieveside. Players the mustgoal. speed dribble quickly and make most of their lay-ups to achieve the goal. If the team fails to make the goal, they run or do push-ups. If we have had a If the team fails to make the goal, they run or do push-ups. If we have had a good good practice with good effort, we give them a “second chance” by allow- practice with good effort, we give them a "second chance" by allowing everyone a ing everyonechance a chance to make to make a half-court a half-court shot. If shot. just one If just player one makes player it, makesnobody it, has to run and nobody has toinstead run andthey insteadshould celebrate they should as a teamcelebrate mobbing as athe team shooter mobbing with lots the of "high-5's" shooter with ...lots it's of a fun“high-5’s” thing and ... a it’s good a funway thing to end and practice a good on away positive to end note. practice on a positive note. Of course, you could run this drill with right-handed lay-ups as well, especially for younger teams and make the goal easier to achieve. Of course, you could run this drill with right-handed lay-ups as well, especially for younger teams and make the goal easier to achieve. Free-Throw Shooting Drills Free-Throw Shooting Drill #1. "1-and-1" Free-Throw Shooting Drills

Free-Throw Shooting Drill #1. “1-and-1” Have your team break up into pairs, or threes, and use all the baskets for free-throw shooting. Instead of shooting 5, 10 or 20 consecutive free-throws, have them shoot like in a game situation, shooting the “1 and 1”. If the shooter misses the first of the “1 and 1”, he/she runs a lap and doesn’t get the second shot. If the first shot is made, but the second is missed, another lap is run. Each player has to make a certain number of free-throws (maybe 10). Shooters who miss a lot, will be running a lot of laps and this is good for simulating game fatigue (and the pressure to make each shot).

Free-Throw Shooting Drill #2. “Plus 2, Minus 2” Have shooters pair up (or in 3’s). Each player will shoot sets of two free-throws. If the shot is swished (nothing but net), he/she gets +1. A miss is -1. A shot that is made but not swished is 0. Any time one player gets to +2, his partner(s) must do five push-ups. Any time a player gets to -2, he/she must do five push-ups. Do the drill for 5 minutes.

Free-Throw Shooting Drill #3. “Shoot 10” Have shooters pair up (or in 3’s). Each player will shoot ten free-throws. This is more of an individual drill, and each shooter’s goal is to make 8 of 10 free-throws. If he fails to make 8, he must do ten push-ups, or run laps.

Free-Throw Shooting Drill #4. “Shooter-Rebounder-Runner” This drill attempts to simulate the game situation where the free-shooter is fatigued. Use all your baskets and break the players up into groups of three. At each basket, there is one shooter, one rebounder and one “runner”. The shooter shoots two free-throws, while the rebounder rebounds for the shooter, and the runner sprints a lap.

JCC Youth Basketball Drills 2010 • 17 • www.jccstl.comjccstl.org After shooting the two free-throws, the shooter now becomes the rebounder, the rebounder becomes the runner, and the runner (who is now tired from running) becomes the shooter of the next two shots. Continue this rotation.

You can continue running this drill for a specified time period, or until each player has shot a specified number of free- throws (say 20).

Free-Throw Shooting Drill #5. “team competition” Do this drill at the end of practice when players are tired. We want to simulate a game situation. Use both ends of the court, half of the team on one basket, the other half on the other basket. Tell the kids we are pretending the game is tied at 50-50. Then first player in each line will shoot the first of a 1 and 1 free throw. If the first is made, then the player shoots the bonus. If the other team misses the first shot, they may not shoot again until the other team has completed the bonus shot. Keep track of the score with each free throw. Then the next player in each line does the 1 and 1, and so forth. The first team to say 60 is the winner. If there is time, play the best 2 out of 3 games. The losers have to run. A player from the losing team who made all her free throws can be rewarded by not having to run.

Note: make sure each player gets to shoot...the above example is for 5 players on each team. If you only have four on each team, make the starting score 52 - 52 and the winning score 60, so each player gets to shoot. If you have 12 players, use 48 - 48 as the starting score, etc.

Free-Throw Shooting Drill #6. “6 In-A-Row” This drill puts some pressure on the shooter. Use all of your baskets and have two or three players at each basket. Set a time limit of 5 minutes. Each player must make 6 consecutive shots in that time span. Players who do not succeed will run or do push-ups at the end. Each shooter gets two shots to start with. If the first is missed, he/she gets another attempt. If the second is missed, another player becomes the shooter. If a shot is made, he/she keeps shooting until either 6 consecutive free-throws are made, or until he/she misses. If a shot is missed, his/her score resets back to zero, and another player becomes the shooter. Once a shooter completes 6 in-a-row, he/she is finished and helps rebound and encourage others. If a basket becomes empty (both shooters are finished), other shooters may use that hoop. For varsity boys, we make it 8 in-a-row.

Free-Throw Shooting Drill #7. “Guts Free-Throws” This is another drill that puts pressure on your shooters and tries to prepare them for the fan distractions that occur in a game. Have all of your players line up along the endline on one end of the floor. Starting out, have the first player in the line step forward to the free-throw line while teammates stay along the endline. He/she must shoot two free-throws. Coaches, assistants will yell and try to distract the shooter. Here is the pressure... each time a shot is missed, the entire team runs one full-court lap. If the shooter misses the first shot, everyone runs and he/she must return and shoot the second one... another miss and everyone runs. Go thru the entire line so that each player shoots two. This is a tough drill, both for the pressure and the conditioning.

Basketball Fundamentals - the Jump Stop

The jump stop is helpful offensive footwork that can be used at the end of a dribble, or to receive a pass and be in triple threat position. At the end of a speed dribble, young players will often stop, fall forward from their momentum, and get a traveling call. Ending the speed dribble with a jump stop will prevent the traveling violation. The jump stop is executed by the player, who is on the run, taking one small step and then landing on both feet simultaneously in proper balance (not leaning forward). When receiving a pass with a jump stop, either foot can be used as the pivot foot. This is especially helpful for the low post player.

There is often confusion on what is or is not traveling and when do you still have a pivot allowable after a jump stop. I have quoted the rules below. My interpretation is this... it depends on whether you already have possession of the ball or not (as in receiving a pass), and whether or not you have already used up the one-step that you are entitled to. When receiving a pass with a jump-stop, you can pivot after the jump-stop and either foot can become the pivot foot. This is JCC Youth Basketball Drills 2010 • 18 • www.jccstl.comjccstl.org especially helpful for post players. A perimeter player can catch the ball with a jump-stop, and the pivot into triple-threat position if necessary and use the non-pivot foot for executing jab-step fakes or a drive step.

Now let’s take a player who already has possession of the ball on the outside. He/she makes a dribble move into the lane, picks up the dribble, takes one step, and then lands a two-footed jump-stop. So far, so good. But after landing the jump-stop, he/she cannot move either foot and has no pivot foot since the one step was already used up prior to the jump-stop. He/she could jump upward, but must either shoot or pass the ball before either foot touches the floor again.

The following is taken from the National Federation of State High Schools web-site in regard to this rule.

“The traveling rule has not changed. What has changed is the common use of the jump stop as an offensive move. Officials and coaches are having difficulty determining the difference between a legal and illegal move. The key to making this determination properly is first finding the pivot foot. Then, if the player moves a foot or the feet in any direction in excess of prescribed limits while holding the ball, a traveling violation has oc- curred. The limits follow:

1. A player who catches the ball with both feet on the floor may pivot, using either foot. When one foot is lifted, the other is the pivot foot. 2. A player who catches the ball while moving or dribbling may stop and establish a pivot foot as follows: a. If both feet are off the floor and the player lands; (1) Simultaneously on both feet, either foot may be the pivot. (2) On one foot followed by the other, the first foot to touch is the pivot. (3) On one foot, the player may jump off that foot and simultaneously land on both. Neither foot can be a pivot in this case. b. If one foot is on the floor; (1) It is the pivot when the other foot touches in a step. (2) The player may jump off that foot and simultaneously land on both. Neither foot can be a pivot in this case. 3. After coming to a stop and establishing a pivot foot: a. The pivot foot may be lifted, but not returned to the floor, before the ball is released on a pass or try for goal; b. If the player jumps, neither foot may be returned to the floor before the ball is released on a pass or try for goal; c. The pivot foot may not be lifted, before the ball is released, to start a dribble. 4. After coming to a stop when neither foot can be a pivot: a. One or both feet may be lifted, but may not be returned to the floor, before the ball is released on a pass or try for goal; b. Neither foot may be lifted, before the ball is released, to start a dribble.”

JCC Youth Basketball Drills 2010 • 19 • www.jccstl.comjccstl.org 22 3. After coming to a stop and establishing a pivot foot: a. The pivot foot may be lifted, but not returned to the floor, before the ball is released on a pass or try for goal;

b. If the player jumps, neither foot may be returned to the floor before the ball is released on a pass or try for goal;

c. The pivot foot may not be lifted, before the ball is released, to start a dribble.

4. After coming to a stop when neither foot can be a pivot: a. One or both feet may be lifted, but may not be returned to the floor, before the ball is released on a pass or try for goal; b. Neither foot may be lifted, before the ball is released, to start a dribble."

Jump Stop Drill #1 Here is a drill for teaching the jump stop. First demonstrate the jump stop to your players. Have all the players lineup on the end-line, with adequate spacing. Start this drill at slow speed initially. Have the players jog down the floor slowly. When you blow your whistle, they come to a jump stop. Yell "go" and they start again. Every-time you blow the whistle, they jump stop. Do this back and forth, up and down the court. When they look like they are getting the hang of it, have them sprint and do the drill. Then give everyone a ball, and dribble slowly down the floor, doing jump stops. Eventually work up to the speed dribble and jump stop. Jump Stop Drill #2, receiving the pass with a jump stop Form two sets of lines, one at an end-line, the other at half court, with the lines facing each other (see diagram A). This drill is good for learning to receive the pass with a jump stop, and is also a good passing and conditioning drill. Jump Stop Drill #2, receiving the pass with a jump stop Form two sets ofPassers lines, one make at an good end-line, chest the passes. other Makeat half surecourt, they with don't the lines lob facing each otherthese (see passes.diagram Passes A). This should drill is goodhave "zip",for learning speed. to Thereceive passer the pass with a jumpthen stop, follows and is alsohis pass a good and passing sprints and to the conditioning rear of the drill. opposite line. Passers make good chest passes. Make sure they don’t lob these passes. Passes should haveThe “zip”,receivers speed. move The towardpasser thenthe ball follows and his receive pass andit with sprints a to the rear of thej umpopposite stop, line. and hold the triple threat position briefly, and then make the pass to the next player in the opposite line, follow The receivers movethe pass,toward and the get ball into and thereceive opposite it with line. a jump stop, and hold the triple threat position briefly, and then make the pass to the next player in Make sure passes are crisp, and the receivers are coming to the opposite line, follow the pass, and get into the opposite line. the ball and are jump stopping. Check their triple threat position. Players should be sprinting to the opposite line... get Make sure passes are crisp, and the receivers are coming to the ball and are a little conditioning in here too. jump stopping. Check their triple threat position. Players should be sprinting to the opposite line...You get can a alsolittle use conditioning this drill to teachin here the too. one-two step stop.

You can also useJump this drill to Stop teach the Drill one-two #3, step Jump stop. Stop and Pivoting Drill Here is another simple drill for teaching the jump stop and pivoting all at once. Players should pair up together on a side or endline. One player dribbles forward about 10 feet, stops with a two-footed jump stop, and then pivots several times Jump Stop Drilland #3, finally Jump passes Stop back to and his/her Pivoting partner, who Drill repeats this procedure, while the first player returns to the endline. Here is another simple drill for teaching the jump stop and pivoting all at once. Players should pair up together on a side or endline. One player dribbles forward about 10 feet, stops with a two-footed jump stop, and then pivots several times and finally passesPick back (Screen)to his/her partner, Drills who repeats this procedure, while the first player returns to the endline. It is important that your players know how to set correct screens. The first drill is a pass and "screen away" drill that helps stress all the ingredients of setting good screens, and teaches the pick and roll Pick (Screen)move. The Drillssecond drill is a screen set for the ball-handler, with execution of the pick and roll move.

It is important that your players know how to set correct screens. The first drill is a pass and “screen away” drill that helps stress all the ingredients of setting good screens, and teaches the pick and roll move. The second drill is a screen set for the ball-handler, with execution of the pick and roll move.

23 Drill #1. Pass and Screen-Away. Create three linesDrill out along #1. the Pass 3-point andarc corresponding Screen-Away. to a point guard, and both wing positions (see diagram). Have an assistant or manager be the Create three lines out along the 3-point arc corresponding to a point guard, token defender andon the both left wing wing. positions The point (see diagram).guard starts Have by an passing assistant to or themanager right be wing. He/she thenthe “screenstoken defender away” on for the the left leftwing. wing, The settingpoint guard the pickstarts on by thepassing to defender. The wingthe right player wing. cuts He/she around then the "screens screen away" and getsfor the the left pass wing, from setting the the right wing, and takespick on it theto thedefender. hoop. The The wing screener player should cuts around “roll” the off screen the pick and aftergets the pass from the right wing, and takes it to the hoop. The screener should cutter comes around."roll" off the pick after cutter comes around.

Make sure that the screeners make contact, get wide and strong and stationary with arms in, and make sure they have the correct angle on the screen. Make Make sure that the screeners make contact, get wide and strong and stationary with arms in, and sure the player cutting around the screen waits for the screen to develop, and make sure they have the correct angle on the screen. Make sure the player cutting around the screen “rubs off” the screenwaits correctly. for the screen Make sureto develop, the pivot and on "rubsthe roll off" move the is screentoward correctly. Make sure the pivot on the roll the cutter, not away...move ais player toward should the cutter, not turn not his away... back to a hisplayer teammate. should not turn his back to his teammate. Make sure as alwaysMake that sure players as always hustle, that and play theers passes hustle, are and sharp. the Oncepasses you are sharp. Once you feel that your team is feel that your teammaking is making good good screens, screens, "go live".“go live”. Break Break up upinto into groups groups of of three, and put a defender on each offensive three, and put aplayer. defender Tell on theeach defenders offensive toplayer. allow Tell the the first defenders pass to tothe allow right wing, but then play tough "D". You can now also teach your defense how to fight through, and slide behind a screen, and how to call a

JCC Youth Basketball Drills"switch" 2010 on defense. You can also start• 20 with • a pass to the left wing, and screen right, orwww.jccstl.com letjccstl.org the point guard go either way. Look at the diagrams below for common screening errors.

Drill #2. On-Ball Front Screen with Pick and Roll. O1 and O2 have defenders on them. O2 sets a front screen for O1 (Diagram A). O1 dribbles around the screen, "brushing off" the screener. If the defense does not switch, O1 takes it in for the lay-up (Diagram B), and O2 will roll as the trailer for the rebound. Now see Diagram C for the next option. If the defenders switch the screen, O2 (after screening and pinning the defender) should "roll" to the hoop, and expect the bounce pass from O1. 23 Drill #1. Pass and Screen-Away. Create three lines out along the 3-point arc23 corresponding to a point guard, and both wing positions (see diagram). Have an assistant or manager be the token defender on the left wing. The point guard starts by passing to Drill #1. Passthe right and wing. He/sheScreen-Away. then "screens away" for the left wing, setting the Create three lines outpick along on the the defender. 3-point arc The corresponding wing player cutsto a pointaround guard, the screen and gets the and both wing positionspass from(see diagram).the right wing, Have andan assistant takes it toor the manager hoop. Thebe screener should the token defender "roll"on the off left the wing. pick The after point cutter guard comes starts around. by passing to the right wing. He/she then "screens away" for the left wing, setting the pick on the defender. The wing player cuts around the screen and gets the pass from the right wing, and takes it to the hoop. The screener should "roll" off the pick afterMake cutter sure comes that around. the screeners make contact, get wide and strong and stationary with arms in, and make sure they have the correct angle on the screen. Make sure the player cutting around the screen waits for the screen to develop, and "rubs off" the screen correctly. Make sure the pivot on the roll Make sure that themove screeners is toward make the contact,cutter, not get away... wide and a player strong should and stationary not turn withhis back arms to in, his and teammate. make sure they haveMake the sure correct as always angle that on theplay screen.ers hustle, Make and sure the the passes player are cutting sharp. aroundOnce you the feel screen that your team is waits for the screenmaking to develop, good screens, and "rubs "go off"live". the Break screen up correctly. into groups Make of three, sure theand pivot put a on defender the roll on each offensive move is toward the cutter, not away... a player should not turn his back to his teammate. the first pass to the right wing,player. but Tellthen theplay defenders tough “D”. to You allow can thenow first also pass teach to your the rightdefense wing, how but to fightthen playthrough, tough and "D". You can slide behindMake a screen, sure asand always hownow to alsothat call teachplaya “switch”ers your hustle, ondefense defense. and howthe You passes to can fight alsoare through, sharp. start with Once and a passslide you tofeelbehind the that left a yourwing,screen, team and and screen is how to call a right, or letmaking the point good guard screens, go"switch" either "go way. on live". defense. Break You up caninto alsogroups start of with three, a passand putto the a defender left wing, on and each screen offensive right, or let the point player. Tell the defendersguard go either to allow way. the first pass to the right wing, but then play tough "D". You can Look at the diagrams below for common screening errors. now also teach yourLook defense at the diagrams how to fight below through, for common and slide screening behind errors.a screen, and how to call a "switch" on defense. You can also start with a pass to the left wing, and screen right, or let the point guard go either way. Look at the diagrams below for common screening errors.

Drill #2. On-Ball Front Screen with Pick and Roll.

O1 and O2 have defenders on them. O2 sets a front screen for O1 (Diagram A). O1 dribbles around the screen, Drill #2. On-Ball Front Screen"brushing off"with the Pickscreener. and If the Roll. defense does not switch, O1 takes it in for the lay-up (Diagram B), and O2 will roll as O1 and O2 have defenders theon them.trailer forO2 the sets rebound. a front screen for O1 (Diagram A). O1 dribbles around the screen, “brushing Drill #2. On-Ball Front Screen with Pick and Roll. off” the screener. If the defenseNow does see notDiagram switch, C O1 for takes the next it in foroption. the lay-up If the (Diagram defenders B), switch and O2 the will screen, roll as theO2 trailer (after for screening and the rebound.O1 and O2 have defenders on them. O2 sets a front screen for O1 (Diagram A). O1 dribbles around the screen, "brushing off" the screener.pinning If the the defender)defense does should not switch, "roll" O1 to takes the ithoop, in for theand lay-up expect (D iagramthe bounce B), and pass O2 will from roll O1. as the trailer for the rebound. Now see Diagram C for the next option. If the defenders switch the screen, O2 (after screening and pinning the defender) should “roll”Now to the see hoop, Diagram and expectC for the the next bounce option. pass If from the O1.defenders switch the screen, O2 (after screening and pinning the defender) should "roll" to the hoop, and expect the bounce pass from O1.

Rebounding Box-Out Drill Here’s a good rebounding, box-out drill, as well as a shooting drill.

Setup: Make two lines... the shooting line on the wing, and the defense, box-out line at the free-throw line.

Drill: Give the ball to the wing player. Have the first player in the defensive line move over to defend the wing player. Have the wing take a good shot (defense should let him/her shoot the shot). Then as soon as the shot is released, the defender turns and boxes the shooter out and gets the rebound (even if the shot is made). The shooter tries to get the rebound (but no second shots are allowed as this is mainly a box-out drill).

If the offensive player gets the rebound, the defender has to run a lap. They get the message soon about the importance of boxing out. As an added feature, I also want to stress the importance of making good passes. So I want to see a good pass from the rebounder back out to the next player in the shooting line. If the rebounder makes a bad pass out, he/she runs a lap! JCC Youth Basketball Drills 2010 • 21 • www.jccstl.comjccstl.org 24 Rebounding Box-Out Drill Here's a good rebounding, box-out drill, as well as a shooting drill. Setup: Make two lines... the shooting line on the wing, and the defense, box-out line at the free-throw line. Drill: Give the ball to the wing player. Have the first player in the defensive line move over to defend the wing player. Have the wing take a good shot (defense should let him/her shoot the shot). Then as soon as the shot is released, the defender turns and boxes the shooter out and gets the rebound (even if the shot is made). The shooter tries to get the rebound (but no second shots are allowed as this is mainly a box-out drill). If the offensive player gets the rebound, the defender has to run a lap. They get the message soon about the importance of boxing out. As an added feature, I also want to stress the importance of making good passes. So I want to see a good pass from the rebounder back out to the next player in the shooting line. If the rebounder makes a bad pass out, he/she runs a lap!

Rebounding 2-on-2 Drills This rebounding drill stresses the basics of boxing out, being aggressive, and making the outlet pass, and "finishing" on the offensive glass. Rebounding 2-on-2 Drills This rebounding drillSetup: stresses See the the basics diagram... of boxing two out, rows, being one aggressive, on each side and of making the outlet pass,the freeand “finishing”throw lane. on The the firstoffensive player glass. in each line becomes a defender and moves down by the blocks and will box- Setup: out the next player in line. The next player in each line See the diagram... twoare rows,offensive one on players. each side Have of thea player free throw at each lane. wing The forfirst the player in each line becomesoutlet pass. a defender The coach, and moves or manager, down by shoots the blocks the ball and from will box-out the nextthe player free-throw in line. The line. next player in each line are offensive players. Have a player at each wing for the outlet pass. The coach, or manager, shoots the ball fromThe the free-throwDrill: line. The coach shoots. The defenders box-out, rebound, make The Drill: the outlet pass and the next group takes over. The two The coach shoots. Thedefenders defenders rotate box-out, to the rebound, outlet positions, make the andoutlet the pass outlet and players go to the back of the offensive lines. the next group takes over. The two defenders rotate to the outlet positions, and the outlet players goOffensive to the back players of the offensiveshould be lines. aggressive, try to get the offensive rebound, and power it back up to the hoop. Play until either the defense rebounds and outlet passes, or the offense rebounds Offensive players shouldand scores be aggressive, (limit offensive try to get possessions the offensive to rebound, 6 seconds and to power keep itthe back drill up moving). to the hoop. Then Play rotate until to either the defense reboundsthe next andgroup. outlet Offensive passes, orplayers the offense now arerebounds defenders. and scores (limit offensive possessions to 6 seconds to keep the drill moving). Then rotate to the next group. Offensive players now are defenders. Make sure all players hustle, are aggressive and are using good rebounding technique... with Make sure all playersproper hustle, boxing are aggressive out, attacking and are the using ball, good and 25rebounding making a goodtechnique... outlet pass.with proper If the boxingdefense out, fails attack- to ing the ball,have and "immunity"makingsecure a good the for rebound, outlet when pass. they both If go theplayers on defense defense. run fails a lap.If, to when secureOffensive they the are rebound,players on defense, should both players theybe aggressive successfully run a lap. and Offensive power players shouldget thebe aggressiverebound,the ball backthey and keeppowerup to theirthe the hoop, ball"immunity" back scoring up to for quickly the the hoop, next (within scoring time. 6 If quicklyseconds). they fail(within Ifto the get6 seconds). offense the rebound, scores If the offense, they scores, theythey have lose “immunity” the immunity, for when but they don't go haveon defense. to run thatIf, when lap. they An offensiveare on defense, rebound they with successfully failure to get the rebound, theyscore keep is their nothing, “immunity” no immunity. for the next time. If they fail to get the rebound, they lose the immunity, but don’t have to run that Onelap. ManAn offensive Option: rebound with failure to score is nothing, no immunity. You can also run this drill with just one line, one defender and one outlet receiver. One Man Option: You can also run this drill with just one line, one defender and one outlet receiver. Wing Skip-Pass and Box-Out Back-Side Drill Wing Skip-PassThis is anda helpside, Box-Out close-out Back-Side and box-out Drill drill. Start with the ball on either wing, with the This is a helpside,opposite close-out wing defender and box-out in helpside. drill. Start When with thethe ballball on is eitherskip-passed, wing, with the the helpside opposite defender wing defender closes- in helpside. Whenout. the X2ball sprintsis skip-passed, to helpside. the helpside O3 shoots defender and O2 closes-out. goes for X2the sprints back-side to helpside. rebound. O3 X2 shoots must and find O2 goes for the back-sideand rebound. box-out X2O2 must and findrebound. and box-outX3 must O2 box-out and rebound. the shooter X3 must (without box-out fouling). the shooter Rotate (without offense fouling). to Rotate offense to defense afterafter several several shots, shots, using using both both sides. sides.

Hustle Drills Hustle Drill #1 This is a good drill for emphasizing hustle and going for loose balls. It also works one-on-one offensive skills, man-to- man defensive skills, and rebounding. A "laid back" player can actually be taught to hustle, and get after the ball and the JCC Youth Basketballopponent. Drills 2010 • 22 • www.jccstl.comjccstl.org Setup: Refer to the diagram. Divide the team into two groups. They will be competing against each other, so even out the speed and talent. Line each team up along a sideline. Each player is given a number, 1, 2, 3, etc (see diagram). Try to align your post players into the 1 and 2 spots, and the guards further out (3 - 5). Have the players get down on their knees, or all fours, facing away from the floor. Have a coach or manager check to make sure they don't peek! If they cheat, the other team gets a point. Starting the Drill: The coach places the ball somewhere on the floor, equidistant from each team. You could place it out high, or even down in the paint. Coach then yells a number 1 through 5. The player from each team whose number he calls runs out and gets the loose ball. The player, who gets the ball, then takes it to the hoop and tries to score, while the other player defends. Keep playing until the offense scores, or the defense gets the ball. Award one point for getting the loose ball, and another point for the scores. Play to 10. Losers run! 25 have "immunity" for when they go on defense. If, when they are on defense, they successfully get the rebound, they keep their "immunity" for the next time. If they fail to get the rebound, they lose the immunity, but don't have to run that lap. An offensive rebound with failure to score is nothing, no immunity. One Man Option: You can also run this drill with just one line, one defender and one outlet receiver.

Wing Skip-Pass and Box-Out Back-Side Drill This is a helpside, close-out and box-out drill. Start with the ball on either wing, with the opposite wing defender in helpside. When the ball is skip-passed, the helpside defender closes- out. X2 sprints to helpside. O3 shoots and O2 goes for the back-side rebound. X2 must find and box-out O2 and rebound. X3 must box-out the shooter (without fouling). Rotate offense to defense after several shots, using both sides.

Hustle Drills Hustle Drill #1 Hustle DrillsThis is a good drill for emphasizing hustle and going for loose balls. It also works one-on-one offensive skills, man-to- man defensive skills, and rebounding. A "laid back" player can actually be taught to hustle, and get after the ball and the opponent. Hustle Drill #1 Setup: This is a good drillRefer for emphasizing to the diagram. hustle Divide and going the forteam loose into balls. two Itgroups. also works one-on-oneThey offensive will beskills, competing man-to-man against defensive each other,skills, andso even rebound- out the ing. A “laid back”speed player andcan talent.actually Line be taught each teamto hustle, up along and get a sideline.after the ballEach player is given a number, 1, 2, 3, etc (see diagram). Try to and the opponent. align your post players into the 1 and 2 spots, and the guards further out (3 - 5). Have the players get down on Setup: their knees, or all fours, facing away from the floor. Have a Refer to the diagram. Divide the team into two groups. They will be compet- coach or manager check to make sure they don't peek! If ing against each other, so even out the speed and talent. Line each team up they cheat, the other team gets a point. along a sideline. Each player is given a number, 1, 2, 3, etc (see diagram). Try to align your postStarting players the into Drill: the 1 and 2 spots, and the guards further out The coach places the ball somewhere on the floor, equidistant from each team. You could place it out high, or even (3 - 5). Have the players get down on their knees, or all fours, facing away from down in the paint. Coach then yells a number 1 through 5. The player from each team whose number he calls runs out the floor. Have a andcoach gets orthe managerloose ball. check The player, to make who sure gets they the ball,don’t then peek! takes If itthey to the hoop and tries to score, while the other player cheat, the other teamdefends. gets Keep a point. playing until the offense scores, or the defense gets the ball. Award one point for getting the loose ball, and another point for the scores. Play to 10. Losers run!

Starting the Drill: The coach places the ball somewhere on the floor, equidistant from each team. You could place it out high, or even down in the paint. Coach then yells a number 1 through 5. The player from each team whose number he calls runs out and gets the loose ball. The player, who gets the ball, then takes it to the hoop and tries to score, while the other player defends. Keep playing until the offense scores, or the defense gets the ball. Award one point for getting the loose ball, and another point for the scores. Play to 10. Losers run! 26

Options: 1. You can callOptions: more than one number at a time... e.g. “2 and 5!”, or “everybody”. Be careful though, if you call too many at one time,1. thereYou couldcan call be morea collision than goingone number for the ball. at a Maketime... sure e.g. you "2 rotateand 5!", the or numbers "everybody". called, soBe that careful all players are eventuallythough, called. if you call too many at one time, there could be a collision going for the ball. Make sure you 2. If defense fouls,rotate have the numbersthe offensive called, player so shootthat all one players free throw. are eventually If he/she makes called. it, it counts as a score. 2. If defense fouls, have the offensive player shoot one free throw. If he/she makes it, it counts as a score. Hustle Drill #2 See the diagram at the right. This drill features grabbing a rebound, making an outlet pass, running after a loose ball, and then a lay-up.

Start with a playerHustle in the laneDrill on each #2 end of the floor. The coach (C) and an assistant (A) willSee setthe updiagram on the at wingsthe right. for This the drilloutlet features pass. grabbing The player a rebound, puts the making an ball up on theoutlet rim or pass, backboard, running after grabs a loose the rebound,ball, and then and a makeslay-up. a strong two- handed overhead pass to the coach (or assistant) on the wing. The coach then Start with a player in the lane on each end of the floor. The coach (C) and an rolls the ball upassistant the floor. (A) will The set player up on sprintsthe wings after for the the outletball, retrieves pass. The it player and takes puts the ball it in for a lay-up.up on Then the rimhe/she or backboard, rebounds grabs and theoutlet rebound, passes and to makes the assistant a strong two-handedon the opposite wingoverhead and pass the toprocedure the coach repeats(or assistant) on that on theside. wing. The coach then rolls the ball up the floor. The player sprints after the ball, retrieves it and takes it in for a lay- up. Then he/she rebounds and outlet passes to the assistant on the opposite wing Run the drill inand one the direction procedure (right repeats hand on thatlay-ups) side. and then reverse it on the opposite side (left hand lay-ups). Run the drill in one direction (right hand lay-ups) and then reverse it on the opposite side (left hand lay-ups).

JCC Youth Basketball Drills 2010 • 23 • www.jccstl.comjccstl.org 27 Hustle Drill #3, Charge/Loose-Ball Drill See the diagrams below. We use two coaches (C). In diagram A, the players form a line on the right wing. The grey triangle is a chair Hustleor cone (to slowDrill the offensive#3, Charge/Loose-Ball player down a little). One player Drill (B) starts in the lane in helpside position. Player A makes a back-cut (or a V-cut if you prefer) and receives the pass from Coach #1. Player A dribbles around the See the diagrams below. We use two coaches (C). In diagram A, the players form a line on the right wing. The grey chair, to the hoop. Player B slides over and takes the charge (making some noise when he/she falls). To avoid injury, have triangle is a chair or cone (to slow the offensive player down a little). One player (B) starts in the lane in helpside player A make a jump-stopposition. Player into Aplayer makes B, a andback-cut then (or try a to V-cut focus if youand prefer) make andthe receivesjump shot. the passWhen from a good Coach charge #1. Player is taken, A dribbles the coach yells “offensivearound the foul”, chair, and to the the hoop. entire Player team B yellsslides “great over and call takes ref!” the charge (making some noise when he/she falls). To avoid injury, have player A make a jump-stop into player B, and then try to focus and make the jump shot. When a good Player B reboundscharge and passesis taken, backthe coach out toyells Coach "offensive #1 (diagram foul", and B). the Coach entire #1team rolls yells the "great ball outcall sidewaysref!" near the 3-point arc, and player B sprints and dives on the loose ball, gains control and passes out near half court to Coach #2. Player B Player B rebounds and passes back out to Coach #1 (diagram B). Coach #1 rolls the ball out sideways near the 3-point then sprints to thearc, far and basket, player and B sprints receives and adives long on lob the pass loose from ball, Coachgains control #2, and and makes passes outthe nearlay-up. half Next,court tohe/she Coach rebounds #2. Player B the lay-up and thenthen dribbles sprints toup the the far sideline basket, andfor areceives reverse a longlay-up lob at pass side from basket Coach #1, #2, and and then makes dribbles the lay-up. to side Next, basket he/she #2 rebounds for a jump stop and jumpthe lay-up shot. and Optionally, then dribbles instead up the of sideline lay-ups for at a the reverse side lay-up baskets, at side you basket can have #1, and Player then dribblesB make totwo side dribble basket #2 for moves (e.g. “rocker-step”a jump stop and and “in-and-out” jump shot. Optionally, moves). Player instead B of then lay-ups returns at the to side the baskets, end of youthe canline. have Player Player A rotates B make to two be- dribble moves (e.g. "rocker-step" and "in-and-out" moves). Player B then returns to the end of the line. Player A rotates to come Player B. become Player B.

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