The triple threat By Mario Blasone
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The triple threat By Mario Blasone
DRIBBLING - PASSING - SHOOTING
by Mario Blasone
Drills Compilation for Teaching the Fundamentals of Basketball
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The triple threat By Mario Blasone
All rights reserved. The reproduction or utilisation of this work in any form or by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, and in any information storage and retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of FIBA Europe.
Published by the FIBA Europe
Written by Mario Blasone
© 2006, FIBA Europe
Photos courtesy of FIBA Europe / Camillo Castoria
Design by FIBA Europe
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About the Author
Mario Blasone was born in Udine, Italy on March 3rd , 1940. A former player himself, Blasone began his coaching career back in 1972.
Blasone began making a name for himself in Italy’s youth ranks. He coached all levels of Udine and Verona’s youth programmes and has won more youth games than anyone else in the Italian Basketball Federation at youth level.
At national team level, Blasone guided Italy to gold medals at the following competitions:
- Italian High School Championship in Rome (1981) - Albert Schweitzer World Tournament in Germany (1983) - European Junior Championship in Holland (1990) - Mediterranean Games Under 22 in Greece (1991) - World Military Games in Korea (1994)
Blasone’s career moved in a different direction in 1998 when he became a head coach of the Egyptian national team. With Blasone at the helm, Egypt won gold medals at the 1999 Pan-Arab Games and the African Games.
He also coached the National teams of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Currently he is coaching Gezira Club in Cairo. He has won the Cup of Egypt and the Egyptian Championship in 2005/06.
Along with his vast coaching experience, Blasone has also led coaching clinics in 39 different countries.
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Introduction
In this book I will talk about fundamentals with the ball: dribbling, passing, and shooting. I will show you the development of each fundamental drill by drill, step by step, in order to build the ability of our players. My experience as a former player and nowadays as a coach suggests that it is boring to teach a single fundamental skill; we should do this only at the very beginning.
I like to have every drill end with a scored basket. We want this for two reasons: firstly, because this is the natural end of a basketball action, secondly to score a basket is the best gift for a basketball player at any age.
We go through each fundamental step by step. We start standing, and then we walk, we continue by running until we reach a game like situation. In addition, we use a kind of psychological pressure by using the weapons of time (you must score a certain number of baskets within 20 or 30 seconds) or we use the fear of elimination (a player is out when he misses a couple of shots in a row).
BE CAREFUL!
Before we teach each fundamental skill, we have a crucial moment in which to give the right information to our players. Since the very first practice, we must give the correct information to our pupils.
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DRIBBLING - PASSING - SHOOTING
BASIC STANCE AND Catching THE BALL
We think that our players must obtain these skills in a natural way. We start the first exercise by instructing every player to take a ball and find a line on the floor; then put the ball on the floor in front of their feet. Now we tell them to pick it up and jump over the line and back. Let them repeat this three or four times in a row.
Jumping back and forth enables them to maintain their balance and choose their own stance naturally. They are forced to do it. We can run the same drill with a lateral stance, jumping “inside” and “outside” off the floor. Later on we can have a contest jumping “in” and “out” and whoever makes a mistake is out of the competition. If you want to develop players´ attention further and add competitive element, you can add new orders like “flat”, or “high”, with basic “in” and “out”. We cut the players who are making mistakes. It is amazing and they will enjoy the drill, however you as a teacher will notice the best and most attentive players from the very beginning. We do believe that after five minutes we will reach our goal. We have achieved a natural control of the basketball and all our drills will start from this basic stance.
START AND WARM UP
At this stage of the practice, we do not allow a “free warm-up” or uncontrolled actions. We want to control this period because we think that this is the best time to give the initial information about the fundamentals to be learned in the future. We call this preparatory study to fundamentals. Our first drill, standing, will always be NAPA PIIRI.
NAPA PIIRI
This drill is designed to improve players´ ball handling skills and give proper information for the future fundamentals with the ball. Each player with own ball, standing around “The Leader” in the middle of the court in a circle. (Diagram 1). The coach is moving behind the circle, he will suggest to the Leader each ball handling action. Players around the circle will repeat the same move as the Leader inside.
BEWARE: this mute communication will be the first step to develop peripheral vision.
Some examples of ball handling:
(Diagram 1)
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PREPARATORY STUDY FOR DRIBBLING
1. Dribbling around the body (clockwise & anticlockwise) 2. Dribbling between the legs (clockwise & anticlockwise). 3. Dribbling between the legs, walking back and forth.
BEWARE: All players must constantly watch the Leader in the middle in order to develop their peripheral vision.
PREPARATORY STUDY FOR SHOOTING
1. All players with their arms extended, they deliver the ball from left to right using their wrists only. Players do not move their arms, just their wrists. 2. Players shoot the ball over their head 3-4 feet high, using their left and right hand. Suggest “fully extended arm” and catch the ball gently with the opposite hand. 3. Same drill but catch the ball with the opposite hand jumping in the air. This is very good drill for timing and tap-ins.
PREPARATORY STUDY FOR PASSING
1. Throw the ball to the ceiling and catch it. 2. Throw the ball to the ceiling and catch it jumping. 3. Bounce the ball on the floor and catch it jumping.
These examples enable our players to develop their ability in ball handling and peripheral vision too.
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DRIBBLING
Our players must use technique in order to move freely on the court. Therefore, we must consider the ball like an extension of the arm. First drill for dribbling is as follows:
MIRROR
The entire team stands in front of the coach, everybody has a ball. (Diagram 2)
All players stand with a comfortable stance (feet shoulder width apart); they must repeat the coaches´ moves as if they were a mirror image. The coach dribbles with his right and left hand with frequent changes of the dribbling hand. In order to practice players´ peripheral vision, the coach chooses one of the players by pointing at him with his index finger; the selected player must dribble towards the basket and score.
(Diagram 2)
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Option: Coach raises his open hand showing one, two, three, four or five fingers and players must shout all together the number of fingers shown by the coach. CHANGE OF DIRECTION
Players are divided into two groups; every player with a ball (Diagram 3). In a quick sequence players must execute changes of direction at the free throw line extended, half court line and opposite free throw line extended . The ball must bounce on the sideline and feet move inside the court in order to oblige players to use both hands.
BEWARE: We suggest maintaining hand contact with the ball as long as we can. Do not hit the ball, caress it.
BE ATTENTIVE: As a rule players must watch the basket while dribbling and keep their eyes off the ball. We want to develop their peripheral vision.
(Diagram 3)
CHANGE OF PACE
We use the same imaginary line of the free throw line extended and half court line for an easy drill. Two teams stand behind the baseline. (Diagram 4) Players must perform two changes of pace to the half court line, and then switch lines under the basket. This drill is continuous.
(Diagram 4)
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WHISTLE
Players are divided into three lines: the ball is at the middle line. They start passing the ball left and right while running forward. When the coach blows the whistle, the player with the ball comes back dribbling to score a basket. The two other players must chase him (Diagram 5). They play until a basket is made. Whoever wins the ball is in offence.
(Diagram 5)
KOLO
All players line up with a ball each on the baseline, and then in quick sequence they dribble around the circles and score a basket (Diagram 6). Use both baskets.
The circles are like two big opponents. Players dribble with their external (outside) hand. That way they will use a couple of changes of hand during the drill. The traffic when they cross each other, forces them to use their peripheral vision and have a correct reaction to the traffic jam.
BEWARE: The coach will signal to players to use three changes of hand: CROSSOVER IN FRONT, BETWEEN THE LEGS, BEHIND THE BACK.
(Diagram 6)
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FULL COURT EIGHT
We use the same techniques as before but we split the team and we use the three circles of the court (Diagram 7).
To focus on the use of the weak hand in most parts of the drill, we start on the left hand side of the court. Do not worry about shooting; beware about rhythm and peripheral vision. I repeat, the traffic created by crossing over forces players to use their own ability for a correct reaction to the traffic jam.
Every two minutes the type of shot will change: Reverse lay up, hook shot, power move, etc.
(Diagram 7)
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SPACING
O1 is chasing O4 around the circle (Diagram 8). O4 must react on the change of direction of O1, trying to maintain his distance from O1. O1 suddenly will make a bounce pass to O4 (Diagram 8a). O4 has to react quickly by making a bounce pass back with his ball. After they exchange balls, players have to score on the same basket. Make a competition out of it by counting the scores.
Player who scores first will get 3 points, runner up gets 1 point for a score. You have to score on the first attempt.
(Diagram 8) (Diagram 8a)
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If you have more than 12 players, you can use both circles close to the baskets (Diagram 9); players will cross each other “reading the traffic” when they go full court. With this drill we develop dribbling but we do not forget peripheral vision, passing, catching and…scoring a basket.
(Diagram 9)
SPECIAL DRIBBLING
1. Spin Dribble: We do not recommend it because, the spin dribble is not contributing to the development of correct action - we consider it an emergency dribble.
2. Inside Out Dribble: We love it – the dribbler becomes smaller, flat, on the fake, and showing the ball over his shoulder with a change of pace he explodes to the basket.
3. Fake Crossover Dribble: Not easy to handle – the ball is brought in front and “in the air” (hand goes on the side) and comes back to the floor, on the same side with the same hand.
We use 3 stations (for the above 3 dribbles). Players move clockwise practicing the 3 different techniques.
Crossfire One
First two players dribble around the three point line (we designate the leaders´ line) (Diagram 10). Leader will pass (bounce pass) in an exchange of balls and then go to the basket. After the shot the players rebound their own ball and join the opposite line.
(Diagram 10)
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DEVELOP THE DRILL: CROSSFIRE TWO
Same rules, same organisation but as soon as players score a basket with their weak hand, they dribble full court to score on the opposite basket, then the new players will start the drill from the base line(Diagram 11). We have a lot of traffic on court– players must read the traffic and have a correct reaction. They come back or stay on the opposite end ; depending how hard you would like to make your drill.
(Diagram 11)
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CROSSFIRE FULL COURT
Four people are involved in the drill at the same time. All players are dribbling with their weak hand. Along the sideline the player can dribble: in front, between the legs, behind the back, reverse spin. When he decides to pass (bounce) to the corner man (he is dribbling too), he has to react immediately and pass back. They exchange balls, one goes to score the basket and the corner man dribbles full court and so on (Diagram 12).
(Diagram 12)
DOUBLE WHEEL MARIO
Using as a base the old normal wheel for a warm-up before games, we double the number of balls to make it harder. Every player has a ball! Every player is dribbling even if they are waiting at the half court line. In a quick sequence they drive to the basket, shoot, rebound their own ball and go to the opposite line (Diagram 13). By doing this, we double the workload, also double the number of shots and dribbles because all players are using their own ball all the time. Plus, we create a lot of traffic on court and players must read it and react to it.
(Diagram 13)
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SLALOM
Three lines of players at the half court line and two balls per team (Diagram 14). Players must avoid the three obstacles in front of them (cones or chairs) using a change of hand, and score a basket. They rebound their ball, and dribble towards their own line passing to the first team mate without a ball. Develop the drill as a competitive game; the first team scoring 15 baskets is the winner. After each game rotate the positions of the teams.
Protected dribbling
We teach players to use the opposite arm (not dribbling) for balance and as a protection from an opponent when close. We develop this technique with a very simple drill:
(Diagram 14)
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THE DUEL
Six players are battling in the circles by dribbling continuously and trying to knock the ball off their opponent. (Diagram 15).
To score a point a player must knock the ball of his opponent outside the circle. Players use their talent, quickness, balance and ability to get the three points necessary to win the contest. Develop the drill: Players are forced to use their weak hand only.
(Diagram 15)
MAX SPEED
Players try to run full court using as few dribbles as they can (attacking dribble). Start behind the baseline (Diagram 16). Players go one way using their right hand; and come back using their left hand. The natural competition among players will develop their ability to cut the number of dribbles used. Develop the drill: repeat the number of cycles (consecutive repetitions) to three, four, five times to have also a conditioning drill. Usually we have four players on the court at one time.
(Diagram 16)
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ZIG-ZAG
We want to develop the technique of the dribbler by using a passive defender (Diagram 17). The dribbler must be able to see the opposite basket all the time. The defender should be in front of the ball at all times. From the mid court line the players will play live one against one on the opposite basket.
(Diagram 17)
The last two dribbling drills are coming up – now, a couple of very difficult jobs.
FESTINA
We have a game like situation:
It is a 1v1 situation with two coaches moving at the half court line (Diagram 18). If they show “10 fingers” the dribbler must pass the ball and run full court. The defender must put as much pressure on the dribbler as he can. Usually the offensive player is beating the defender all the time, so we want to put the dribbler in a difficult and challenging situation.
(Diagram 18)
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LENTE
Another defender is added. X2 starts at the free throw line (Diagram 19). We must teach the dribbler to use the 8 seconds and “read” the back court situation in order to see when the coaches show 10 fingers – same rule as before.
(Diagram 19)
The dribbler, using a change of pace, hands and direction must see the opposite basket all the time. X1 has only one rule: STAY IN FRONT OF O1. Do not steal the ball, do not foul the dribbler just maintain a distance and their nose in front of the ball.
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PASSING
Passing is fundamental and absolutely compulsory skill to master if you want to put together a team of players on the court. We use many types of passing:
1. Chest pass. 2. Bounce pass. 3. Baseball pass. 4. Flip or hand-off pass. 5. Overhead pass. 6. Pass off the dribble.
CATCHING
Ten fingers rule: this mute communication between the passer and receiver is compulsory to teach. All passes must be delivered in straight line from the chest to the hip. We insist on that in order to enable players to get into the triple-threat position immediately. We will combine the three key fundamentals with a series of drills.
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QUARTER COURT
Players pass the ball to their team mate in front, use a change of direction, get a return pass, score a basket, rebound the ball, pass it back to their team mate and go to a new line. The receiver joins the line at the three point line after receiving the pass back from the shooter.(Diagram 20, 20a, 20b)
(Diagram 20) (Diagram 20a)
(Diagram 20b)
I repeat: the receiver must show TEN FINGERS.
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HALF COURT
Three lines are at the half court line as shown in Diagram 21. Start by dribbling, then stop (attention on balance), pass to the player on baseline, receive and shoot. Rotate as shown above.
(Diagram 21)
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THREE QUARTER / Full COURT
Players start dribbling forward and using three changes of dribbling hand (crossover in front, between the legs, behind the back). Then they stop, pass and continue as in the previous drill. For three quarters see Diagram 22/ 23. Develop the same drill full court.
(Diagram 22) (Diagram 23)
It is good to add a couple of reverse dribbles in order to cover the full length of court. Players facing the dribblers must show one, two, three, four or five fingers as they choose. Each dribbler must READ and SHOUT the number of fingers he can see. We continue to work to develop their peripheral vision.
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Side Pass
We develop the passing technique of our players as shown in Diagram 24. This drill is very important, because 80% of all passes are side passes.
CIRCLE
Players form two circles with one ball in each circle. There are 6, 7 or 8 players in each circle.
(Diagram 24)
When coach blows his whistle, players must pass the ball around the circle as fast as they can and count loud the number of passes. The circle reaching 50 passes first is the winner of the drill. Develop the drill: when coach blows the whistle players must change the direction of passing (clockwise and anticlockwise).
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TWO TEAMS
Players are split into two teams. Each team has one ball behind the baseline. We run three different competitions with players passing and running as fast as they can.
(Diagram 25) (Diagram 25a)
1st COMPETITION: At the sound of the whistle the pairs must run full court, touching the opposite baseline and then come back (Diagram 25/ 25a). The inside player must score a basket. The next pair takes the ball from the net and continues the drill.
2nd COMPETITION: Same rules as above but the pair scores on both ends. After the first basket they must exchange lanes before coming back.
3rd COMPETITION: Both pairs come back on the opposite side of the court after scoring the first basket..
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PASS AND SLIDE
Players are in pairs, with one ball per pair. They pass to each other whilst SLIDING towards the opposite basket. When they reach the basket, the closest player to it scores, then they both come back in the opposite direction.
Note: The pass should be 5-6m long and forward.
(Diagram 26)
TRAC
This drill is set up with the players lined up in three lines along the baseline. The ball is in the right hand corner. Players pass and sprint to a new spot as shown in the diagram 27/ 28.
(Diagram 27) (Diagram 28)
Rotation is anticlockwise. We use this drill to obtain good passing form and movement plus develop attention.
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FULL COURT TRAC
Same rotation and same organisation as before but this time we use the full court (Diagram 29/ 29a). The next group starts when the previous group is around the half court line.
(Diagram 29)
(Diagram 29a)
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TAKE POSSESSION
Players are organised in three lines at half court. two balls in the middle line (Diagram 30).
(Diagram 30)
Players have to score a basket after two passes only. The middle man will rebound the ball and pass to one of his team mates. The second passer goes opposite asking for an outlet pass. As soon as he receives it, he hits the man without a ball at the half court line (Diagram 31). The third man from the first group scores the basket and continues his run. Clockwise rotation if the first pass is on the left side of the court; if the drill is performed on the right hand side, the rotation will be anticlockwise.
(Diagram 31)
Coach is based close to the half court line of players dictating the speed of the drill. Minimum six players have to be involved in the drill at the same time to achieve the desired effect.
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THREE PASSES
We use this drill to teach and improve the quality of three basic passes: baseball, chest and bounce pass. As shown in Diagram 32, the first pass is a baseball pass, the second one is a bounce pass, and after rebounding the ball we use a chest pass to the player in the corner.
(Diagram 32)
STAR
The players are set up as in Diagram 33. The rebounder has the ball and starts with an outlet pass to O2, then replacing O2. O2 passes to O3 and replaces O3, and so on. O5 penetrates, scores the basket and replaces O6. O6 will replace O1 as soon as O1 has outleted the ball. The main rule is: Pass and replace the receiver.
(Diagram 33)
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FOUR PASSES
We start with one ball per group of four players as shown in Diagram 34/ 34a/ 34b. In sequence we have a baseball pass, then the passer runs towards the receiver to get the ball back. The receiver passes the ball back to him with a chest pass and cuts close to him for a return hand-off pass. He passes in front of him to the next player in line with a bounce pass, and goes to the back of that line.
(Diagram 34) (Diagram 34a)
(Diagram 34b)
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TOUCH
Two groups of players placed at each baseline; every player has a ball (Diagram 35).
The first player in line passes to the coach and sprints to touch the ball. He turns running back toward the basket and the coach passes back to him; player catches the ball and scores a basket. Develop the drill: Coach instructs the player to score the basket using a variety of shots: a lay- up or a jump shot or a slam dunk etc. When the players learn the drill well the coaches will be replaced by players.
(Diagram 35)
TRIOS
The team is divided into groups of three: two passers and one defender in the middle (Diagram 36).
The two passers pass the ball to each other continuously, if the defender touches the ball, the passer exchanges places with the defender. We use this drill to teach our players to read the weaknesses of the defensive player. We emphasise to make the pass as follows: over their head, over their shoulders and under their arms close to their legs.
To develop the drill, the passers can use a single dribble to beat the defensive player.
(Diagram 36)
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SPACING
Same drill as before but now the passers try to maintain a certain distance (Diagram 37). Apply the same rules as before. We use the three circles for easier definition of the distance between the passers. Offensive players are located a couple of metres outside the circles with the defender placed inside...
(Diagram 37)
FULL COURT WEAVE
It is the most common and useful drill in basketball. The principle is PASS AND GO BEHIND (Diagram 38). You can adjust the speed of your players as you prefer. We use one ball only placed in the middle lane at the start of the drill.
NOTE: If players miss a lay-up, they must repeat the drill from the beginning.
(Diagram 38)
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ONE ON TWO
Three men weave but when the coach blows his whistle the player with the ball is on offence and his other two team mates become opponents (Diagram 39). The man with the ball can choose the basket he attacks: they play until a basket is made.
(Diagram 39)
FOUR CORNERS
We use this drill when we play on the road because we want to test the condition of the floor, the lights and the arena background (Diagram 40).
The team is divided in the four corners with two players with a ball each under the two opposite baskets to start the drill. A baseball pass is made to the runner on the sideline, and then the passer follows to the same corner line. The receiver dribbles a couple of times and passes to the first player in the opposite corner; then gets a return pass and scores a basket; he then goes on to the line of the same corner. We start the drill with two balls only but as soon as they have learned the rotation, we include a third ball and maybe a fourth one later on. The main goal of this drill is accurate passing but we like to also use different shots too e.g. lay-ups, jump shots, reverse lay- ups etc. We use our imagination. Development of the drill: when we blow the whistle players must change from clockwise to anticlockwise and vice versa.
(Diagram 40)
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ONE ON ONE FULL COURT – FESTINA
The target of this drill is the development of passing and dribbling under pressure (Diagram 41). Two coaches start on the half court line and two players under the basket. The ball handler has ten seconds to beat the defensive player. If one of the coaches shows “ten fingers” the ball handler must pass to him immediately.
When this happens he will receive the ball back from the coach and they will play one on one until a basket is made. It is an important drill to develop peripheral vision useful against a full court press. We suggest to the ball handler to use change of pace, change of dribbling hand and read the situation on court constantly.
(Diagram 41)
ONE ON TWO – LENTE
Same rules as before but the ball handler must beat two opponents. Second defensive player starts on the free throw line (Diagram 42).
We suggest to the ball handler a new weapon: the backup dribble in order to have a better peripheral vision and try to beat the defence when they recover. If a steal occurs in the back court, the opponents score and play defence again. If we have a steal in the front court, whoever gets the ball becomes the offensive player trying to score a basket.
(Diagram 42)
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FOX IN THE RING
It is a fun drill. The fox (player in the middle of the ring) tries to avoid being hit by a pass between the other players forming the ring for as long as he can. (Diagram 43)
(Diagram 43)
Develop the drill: six on six with two teams (Diagram 44). One team builds a wide circle around the players of the second team.
The outside players try to hit the inside players using two handed passes. Players hit by the ball are out. The team resisting in the middle for the longest time wins the contest.
(Diagram 44)
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GAP
Groups of three: with two players on the free throw line with a ball between them and a player on the baseline (Diagram 45).
At the sound of the whistle the two team mates must sprint full court passing to each other. The third player from the baseline tries to make up the gap and steal the ball. Position the defender closer to the passers in order to raise the pressure on the passers.
(Diagram 45)
FOUR ON FIVE
In order to develop the passing ability of our players we put four offensive players as shown in Diagram 46.
We put five defensive players on the court. Their job is to double team the man with the ball. At the beginning the offensive players are standing but after a couple of rotations offence to defence, they are allowed to move around the court using dribble. When we give the instruction “score”, the offence tries to score a basket.
(Diagram 46)
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TEN PASSES
Five on five full court but without shooting the ball. A team gets one point when they pass the ball between each other ten times in a row (Diagram 47).
(Diagram 47)
RULES: dribbling is not allowed. When the ball is deflected there is a change of possession. If a team is fouled, they inbound the ball and their count goes on. Develop the drill: run this drill in the half court with double teaming.
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SHOOTING
It is the final goal of any teamwork. It is both, the easiest and the most difficult fundamental skill to teach. The easiest one because players are happy to shoot; so it is easy to have them practice this for a long time in order to improve their shooting form. At the same time it is very difficult because it needs a lot of ability and co- ordination.
We have two main principles to build a good shot: A. Take a lot of shots. B. Create game like situations.
We insist on a high number of shots because this is pure mathematics, not an opinion. The more shots you take the higher your ability to score and confidence. We try to create a game like situation using two weapons: stress pressure, e.g. having to score a basket after a great hustle, or we cut players that are missing two or three shots in a row. We never let players shoot randomly. We alternate a fatiguing drill with a shooting drill but never relax. Shooting practice takes forty per cent of our workouts.
Analysis of Movement:
1. Feet: shoulder width apart, facing the basket with the foot in line with the shooting arm a little bit ahead.
2. Legs: they give power from the feet up through the ball and through our body. It must be a simultaneous move: bend your knees and raise the ball.
3. Arms: the non shooting arm helps to bring up the ball and to have a good balance. The shooting arm is bent under the ball making with the wrist, arm and body three angles of 90 degrees each. Extend the arm fully.
4. Wrist: after release it must be bent below the index finger and towards the basket. It is the final touch and this move creates the back spin of the ball.
5. Hands: the non shooting hand helps the shooting hand to raise the ball but does not affect the shooting form. The shooting hand must be well spread for good ball handling. The thumbs on the ball are in a “T” position. Fingers are orientated toward the basket with the index finger pointing at it.
6. Target: we want the net as a target because it is easy to see. The front of the rim is like an obstacle so it will determine a good arc when shooting. For this reason we start shooting very close to the basket: we force the player to have a correct shooting arc.
7. Ball: we raise it, in alignment over our head between the nose and the shoulder.
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Common Mistakes and their Correction:
Everybody have their own personal biomechanics, however they must try to follow a correct shooting form. The most common mistakes are as follows:
1. Elbow spread out. 2. High or side facing wrist. 3. Shooting arm off balance. 4. Hip off balance. 5. Overly influencing non shooting hand. 6. Flat shooting arc. 7. Feet too wide apart or too close together.
1. Elbow spread out This is a common mistake. We stop the ball when a player is shooting and we show him that his INDEX finger is bent in a diagonal position. We bring the index finger to a vertical position and the elbow moves into a correct position.
2. High or side facing wrist Easy to correct. We suggest that players stay one second (with fully extended arm and bent wrist) with their index finger pointing towards the basket.
3. Shooting arm off balance We bring this player one meter away from a wall. We instruct him to put his arm in contact with the wall. We ask him to turn toward the basket and now he is in a correct stance. We must be close to the basket because sometimes a bad shooting form comes from being too far away.
4. Hip off balance When we look at the shooter he looks like he is “seated”. His hip is too far ahead. We use a simple drill: have players throw the ball in front of them and catch it with a one step stop. The weight of his own body will oblige the player to create a proper balance.
5. Overly influencing non shooting hand We teach our players to bring the ball up over their head with the shooting hand only. The ball must be between the nose and the shoulder: non shooting hand can only touch the ball but not bother it. This is geometry, not an opinion.
6. Flat shooting arc Easy to correct. We bring the player under the basket, half a metre away! He will be forced to find a proper arc. As he improves you can bring him a little bit further out!
7. Feet too wide apart or too close together. We use the Saracheck Drill in order to correct this common mistake.
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DRILLS
HALF CIRCLE
From a basic stance shoot from a couple of metres distance (Diagram 48). Every player has a ball; they shoot in a row from left to right. The coach in front of them is giving advice such as: 1. Bend your knees. 2. Full body extended. 3. Extend your arm.
(Diagram 48)
They rotate after each round by one spot. We want them to shoot from all of the positions around the basket. Develop the drill: we put pressure on the players; if as a team they miss two shots in a row, they must sprint full court and back. As coaches we study the shooting form of our players. We do this especially during their free throws. We study them from three different angles: 1. In front. 2. Behind. 3. Lateral (shooting arm side).
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THREE LINES
We use this drill in order to check our teams shooting form. The player’s line up in three lines, everybody has a ball, one meter away from the basket. They must bend their knees, bring the ball up and shoot it. We give two instructions: “ONE” mean bend knees and “TWO”-a full extension of the body. When we are satisfied with the shot, we bring the player one meter further out and so on. The natural development will be: one step and shoot, two steps and shoot, three steps and a half court lay-up.
A) One Step and Shoot (Diagram 49)
Players are split in three lines; the first player is a couple of metres away form the basket. From a basic stance the player must plant their left foot and raise their right foot bringing up the ball and shooting it. We emphasise that this coordination of right knee with right elbow is made with an imaginary rope keeping them together in order to raise them up toward the rim. The shooter rebounds the ball and changes lines clockwise.
(Diagram 49)
B) Two Steps and Shoot (Diagram 50)
We put a mark on the floor (a bag, a towel, a cone) and we set players on the three point line. The player passes the ball to the coach and goes towards him. The coach stays on the spot holding the ball; the player on the mark extends his right leg and grabs the ball from the coach’s hands. He steps right, then left and takes a shot.
(Diagram 50)
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C) Three Steps
Players must learn to perform a dribble and their first step simultaneously (Diagram 51).
They must have and execute the rhythm of ONE, TWO, THREE and finally take a lay-up. A couple of common mistakes are: raise the ball up too much when they start dribbling and also watching the floor. When they drive to the basket they must see the net all the time.
NOTE: use the backboard and shoot with the strong hand on the left side too.
(Diagram 51)
D) Half Court Lay-ups (Diagram 52)
Players are at the half court line, we explain the importance of a rhythm for shooting lay-up correctly. We then encourage them to practice it.
Develop the technique: we organise a contest among the three lines. The first team to score 10 baskets wins the contest.
(Diagram 52)
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SARACHECK
With this drill we develop a natural jump shot. We want players to be well balanced with their feet square towards the basket all the time. They are forced to bend their knees in order to be ready to shoot.
We develop this drill using four steps:
1. IN FRONT. 2. LATERAL. 3. SLIDE. 4. BEHIND.
1. “IN FRONT” Three lines, everybody with a ball. Players throw the ball in front with one bounce, catch it and shoot it. Rebound and rotate clockwise (Diagram 53).
(Diagram 53)
2. “LATERAL” Now players throw the ball to their left, catch it landing with their feet squared toward the basket and shoot it (Diagram 54). Same by throwing the ball to their right.
(Diagram 54)
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3. “SLIDE” Hand off from the first player to the second player and he starts sliding toward the basket. Team mate throws a bounce pass; the slider gets the ball turning 90° to be square to the basket and takes the shot (Diagram 55).
(Diagram 55)
PAY ATTENTION TO DETAIL: if the ball is thrown behind the slider, he must open to the ball by turning 270° in order to take the shot with correct balance (Diagram 56).
(Diagram 56)
This is a good practice for footwork (Diagram 57). Open to the ball with a left reverse pivot 180°; catch the ball and square up to the basket with a 90° pivot again.
(Diagram 57)
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4. “BEHIND” The shooter gives the ball to the player behind him and starts skipping, he must watch in front of him. His team mate throws the ball wherever he wants to in the direction of the basket. The shooter must see the ball, catch it under the rules and shoot it. Same rotation as before. (Diagram 58)
(Diagram 58)
PASS AND MOVE (This is my favourite drill)
We work on the four different possible pivots, pass and move, change of pace, popping out, passing and catching, and different types of shots. Players are divided in two lines. The first player in line does not have a ball (Diagram 59).
(Diagram 59)
The two players at the front of the lines go at half speed towards the basket and then stop. Using one of the four different pivots they pop out asking for the ball with the ten fingers rule. They catch the ball and go to the basket. We change the finishing move every 2 minutes.
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The following eight drills all start from the right wing (imaginary foul line extended). A. Drive and lay- up. B. One dribble jump shot. (dribble towards the middle) C. Two dribbles jump shot. (dribble towards the baseline) D. Reverse lay up. (dribble underneath the basket and shoot a reverse lay up) E. Drive and hook shot. (dribble towards the middle and shoot a hook shot) F. Reverse spin and bank shot. (dribble towards the middle execute a reverse spin dribbling and shot a bank shot) G. Double reverse spin dribble. (dribble towards the baseline first, execute a reverse spin dribbling, the drive to the middle and execute a second spin dribbling, shoot a jump shot) H. Drive and fade away shot. (dribble towards the baseline and shoot a fade away shot) I. Shooting from favourite positions (guards three point shot, forwards two or three point shot, centres shot close to the basket)
NOTE: they cannot miss the shot (there is no defence) otherwise they have 5 push-ups.
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We develop our shooting programme with the following drills:
Edbah
We use this drill as a warm up drill because even when we practice shooting, we do not forget about defense.
Two groups of players line up as shown in diagram 60. The offensive player dribbles at half speed back and forth. The defensive player slides with him and contests the shot with his left hand. After the shot defender boxes out and gets the rebound. The shooter will become next defender.
With this simple drill we generate many repetitions of shots, dribbling, boxing out and defensive slides. As usual you can practice this drill on both sides of the court.
(Diagram 60)
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TWENTY ONE
Two teams of six players each on the baseline on both sides of the floor. We start on the side where we have two balls (Diagram 61). The first player in the line shoots, rebounds, passes opposite and goes to that line.
(Diagram 61)
The first team to score 21 baskets wins the drill and we proceed to the second spot: wing position (Diagram 62).
(Diagram 62)
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The third position is the GUARD position (Diagram 63).
(Diagram 63)
The next step is to shoot from three point range from one corner and from the top of the key (Diagram 64).
(Diagram 64)
Develop the drill: the passer shades the shooter and later on we touch, hit, bother the shooter trying to create game like situations (dirty defence).
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PLUS THREE
This is a contest between two teams: one ball per team (Diagram 65). They start shooting at the sound of the whistle and when one team reaches three baskets difference ahead of the other wins the drill. The losing team sprints full court and we have a revenge drill switching sides.
(Diagram 65)
SMALL GUYS vs. BIG GUYS
We have the same rules as before but small guys take shots from three point range and big guys from the elbow (Diagram 66).
(Diagram 66)
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Princeton Shooting
Everybody has a ball except the first player, who starts the drill. He runs to receive a pass from the opposite line (Diagram 67). He shoots, rebounds the ball and goes to the opposite line.
(Diagram 67) (Diagram 68)
In Diagram 68 we move both lines. The shot will be taken from the elbow area.
TRIOS
On both sides we have three players with two balls per group. A rebounder, a passer and a third player will take 10 jump shots in a row. The passer in order to put psychological pressure on the shooter counts loud the hits and misses during the drill. After 10 shots they rotate and after 30 shots they switch sides with the other group of three (Diagram 69). In Diagram 70 the shooter takes one dribble before shooting. This is the second step of the drill.
(Diagram 69) (Diagram 70)
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RECEIVING
The shooter receives the ball while moving HIGH-LOW in Diagram 71 or LEFT-RIGHT as shown in Diagram 72.
(Diagram 71) (Diagram 72)
READING
Same organisation as before but now we have a game like situation. The passer must pass and follow his own pass landing close to the receiver (Diagram 73).
(Diagram 73)
The receiver must read the feet of the defender and beat him on his weak side taking a shot after one dribble only. We develop this drill with one last step: the passer plays regular defence on the receiver (Diagram 74).
The receiver must play an aggressive one-on-one and make one of two decisions only: either shoot immediately or take a one dribble jump shot.
(Diagram 74)
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IRKUTSK
We set up two lines of players with a ball at the half court line and two players without a ball at the elbows. The passer follows his own pass towards the receiver, changes direction, receives a hand off, takes a couple of dribbles and shoots a bank shot. (Diagram 75). We can take a lot of different shots and develop the drill by adding defence. After the pass, the passer on the elbow plays defence against the dribbler, and then boxes out after the shot.
(Diagram 75)
Rotation: the receiver after the hand off pass goes for the rebound and dribbles to the line on the opposite side; the shooter replaces the receiver – with the other rebounder doing the same job. Emphasise the use of the 10 FINGERS RULE for anyone receiving a pass and a correct 180° pivot in order to execute a good pass. Developing the drill: THREE POINT SHOT (Diagram 76).
(Diagram 76)
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Develop the drill:
A) Shooter takes a jump shot from the baseline (Diagram 77) B) Dribble toward the baseline, reverse spin and shoot a fade away (Diagram 78)
(Diagram 77) (Diagram 78)
PHANTOM
Follows the same symmetric pattern. Pass, change of direction, hand off, a couple of dribbles and the passer will box out acting as a defensive player (Diagram 79).
(Diagram 79)
BEWARE: even if the main target is to take the shot, the receiver must perform a defensive slide and box out the shooter. He does not physically block out but acts as a phantom...
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Develop the drill:
SIMULTANEOUS
Now two passers must use their peripheral vision and pass at the same time, they must block each others´ player out. Shooters still perform a reverse pivot, receive the hand off pass, and take the shot they like (Diagram 80).
(Diagram 80)
Develop the drill:
CROSSING
After a simultaneous pass, the two players fake one way, cross the court to the other side, get the ball and take their favourite shot (Diagram 81).
(Diagram 81)
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ONE ON ONE
The receiver tosses back a bounce pass to the shooter and plays one on one. The shooter is allowed a maximum of two dribbles before shooting the ball. We see the beginning on the left side and the end of the play on the right side (Diagram 82).
(Diagram 82)
NOTE: Do not forget defence. If you want to emphasise your defensive principles: fan baseline, funnel middle or play straight up.
TWO MISTAKES
A very simple, yet effective drill. We have all of our players on a unique line, everybody with a ball. We put a mark onto the floor (tape, cone or chair). Players take their shots in a quick sequence and they go to the back of the line. Rule: two mistakes in a row and players are out. The last three remaining players are the winners of the contest. We play a repetition in order to have a revenge for the losers (Diagram 83).
(Diagram 83)
Develop the drill: TEAM CONTEST. All players compete as a team. Apply same rules as before, when the team misses two shots in a row they must sprint full court. There is an extra psychological pressure as a team.
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10 FINGERS
Organise players in two lines at half court. Everybody has a ball except the first player in each line. Players execute a different shot every two minutes while running at half speed...
Players without a ball sprint and touch the baseline, they come back asking for the ball with ten fingers; they catch the pass and score a lay-up. The passer repeats the same – sprints to baseline, touches the baseline, comes back, catches the ball, drives, shoots and switches lines (Diagram 84).
(Diagram 84)
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Develop the drill: a) REVERSE LAYUP (Diagram 85)
As he gets the ball, the player drives baseline using his outside hand. We have traffic underneath the basket so players are forced to have a correct reaction to it.
(Diagram 85)
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b) JUMP SHOT (CENTRAL POSITION) (Diagram 86)
As he gets the ball, the player drives inside the key. He stops with a parallel stance and takes a jump shot. Ensure that feet are square towards the basket. c) JUMP SHOT (BASELINE POSITION) (Diagram 86)
Players, as they catch the ball, drive baseline and fire a jump shot squaring their feet to the basket.
CENTRAL & BASELINE (Diagram 86)
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d) BANK SHOT (Diagram 87)
Players get the ball and drive towards the elbow. They perform a reverse spin dribble, stop and shoot a bank shot. e) FADE AWAY (Diagram 87)
Dribbling toward the basket changing hands and fading away, players stop and shoot the ball. Players must watch the net at all times.
FADE AWAY & Bank Shot (Diagram 87)
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f) CROSSING (Diagram 88)
In order to have more traffic, players will take a jump shot after crossing past each other.
(Diagram 88)
USE THE PICK
Three lines, the ball starts in the middle. We start by using a pass and go away from the ball. The corner man fakes baseline, uses the screen, pops out to receive the ball and takes a jump shot (Diagram 89). Everybody rebounds the ball and goes to the next line rotating clockwise. Develop the drill: to get more shots, we use the coach as the passer (Diagram 90).
(Diagram 89) (Diagram 90)
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READ THE DEFENCE
We use this drill because we want our players to take shots from three different angles. Three players are inside the three point line without the ball.
We must imagine three different reactions of the defensive player:
1. Defence hits the pick: POP OUT at a 45° angle (Diagram 91)
(Diagram 91)
2. Defence follows behind: CURL INSIDE (Diagram 91a)
(Diagram 91a)
3. Defence goes over the pick: FADE TO THE CORNER (Diagram 91b)
(Diagram 91b)
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SHOOTING AGAINST ZONES
CLOCK
Big guys line up behind the baseline, guards and forwards fill the other two lines (Diagram 92). Big guy starts by passing to the forward and posts up on the left low block. The forward passes the ball back to him and goes to the middle line. The middle man fades away and will get the third pass and take a shot. Big guy rebounds and goes back to the baseline line. With this drill we want to emphasise one more time the principle of PASS AND MOVE.
(Diagram 92
HIT THE GAPS
There are two lines of players, everybody with a ball. Three defensive players (usually coaches, because they know what is needed in this drill) set up as shown in Diagram 93:
(Diagram 93)
The three defenders move at random from left to right and players must read the situation and make a good choice: drive to the basket or shoot from the outside.
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PRINCETON SHOOTING
Everybody has a ball except the first player, who starts the drill. He runs to receive a pass from the opposite line (Diagram 94). He shoots, rebounds the ball and goes to the opposite line. The target of this drill is for players to practice taking a shot IN THE MIDDLE and IN THE GAPS of a zone defence.
(Diagram 94)
Develop the drill: FILL THE GAPS. Everything is as before, with one line in the middle of the court. The player with the ball dribbles to the left, in the meantime the player on the right side moves filling the gap between X1 and X3. He receives a pass from O3 and takes a shot (Diagram 95).
(Diagram 95)
We run this drill to practice the movement of the two perimeter offensive players against a zone defence. The dribbler must freeze one defender; whilst his team mate must split the two defenders.
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GUARDS SHOOTING
We organise the players in two lines at the guard position on the three point line, each player with the ball (Diagram 96). The guards pass to their team mate jumping into the right low post position. As soon as the pass is made, the guard can move left or right for a pass back. He gets the ball and shoots it.
(Diagram 96)
SHOT SELECTION
Two –on- two in a game like situation. As soon as the ball goes inside, X1 must “dance” back and forth between O5 and O1 (Diagram 97). The offence must read the defence and make a good shot selection. Switch offence and defence.
(Diagram 97)
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DUEL
It is a duel between big guys and small guys. Small guys shoot from three point range, big guys shoot from the elbows. Each team has only one ball. Whoever scores 21 points (each basket one point) first, wins the duel (Diagram 98).
(Diagram 98)
ELBOW
Players must dribble the ball, cross over in front of the body, and shoot from the elbow (Diagram 99). The shooter rebounds and passes to the line he came from, but goes behind the opposite line.
(Diagram 99)
Option: Shooting towards the baseline (Diagram 100). Same as before, but players attack the baseline instead of the elbow. The drill can be run as a team contest.
(Diagram 100)
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FOUR PIVOT
Two lines of players, everybody has a ball. They toss the ball in front of themselves, catch it and come to a stop. We work on the four pivot foot (Diagram 101). Players shoot in a balanced manner and change lines.
(Diagram 101)
SELF PASS
Players set up in two lines, at the sidelines, free throw line extended. Everybody has a ball. They toss the ball in front of themselves, catch it and come to a stop. They pivot up the key , cross over, dribble baseline and take a jump shot (Diagram 102). Players rebound their own shot and go to the opposite line.
(Diagram 102)
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FOOTWORK
Guards make a pass to the forwards on the wing. Guards fake middle and then come back to receive a pass, stop and shoot (Diagram 103). The change of direction after the fake can be made as a direct cut or can come after a loop (Diagram 104). Drill must be run on both sides of the court.
(Diagram 103) (Diagram 104)
REPLACE
Here we have specific footwork. O1 (Diagram 105) dribbles towards O3. O3 must curl watching O1, receive a pass from him and take a shot. Diagram 106 shows the same drill being run with the ball starting at the wing.
(Diagram 105) (Diagram 106)
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FAVOURITE SPOTS
Same as the earlier drill, but with a second pass added. The shooter chooses to shoot from his usual spots. The big guys should shoot close to the basket (Diagram 107); forwards from two point range (Diagram 108) and guards from three point range (Diagram 109).
(Diagram 107) (Diagram 108)
(Diagram 109)
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CONDITIONING DRILLS
Shooting under pressure or at the end of the game shows the difference between a champion and a normal player. The champion will hit the basket, whilst the normal player will miss it. We must practice shooting whilst fatigued. We use special drills to improve footwork quality. The quality of footwork determines the quality of the shot. We use the following drills with players who did not play much in the previous game. Plus, we emphasise work without the ball like changes of pace and direction.
TRIOS DRILL
O1 receives the ball at the free throw line, turns, takes a shot, rebounds his own shot and passes to O3. O2 as soon as he passes to O1, sprints to touch the baseline, comes back and gets the ball from O3 (Diagram 110).
(Diagram 110)
Developing the drill: We change the passing angle maintaining the same organisation and rotation of players. The receiver fakes a shot, takes one dribble and shoots a jump shot.
THREE SHOTS
The shooter starts from the left corner, touches the half court line, comes back to the basket, receives a pass from the coach to shoot a lay-up. He sprints to the right elbow, receives a pass again and shoots (Diagram 111). He moves quickly to the right corner, gets one more pass and takes a three point shot.
(Diagram 111)
Note: Repeat the drill starting from the opposite corner.
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TWO CORNERS
A drill for perimeter players. O1 starts under the basket; he pops out towards the corner, gets a pass and shoots, rebounds the ball and passes to O2. O1 sprints again to the opposite corner, receives a pass, shoots, rebounds and goes to the other line (Diagram 112).
(Diagram 112)
TRIANGLE
Another drill for perimeter shooters and especially for three point shot development. Players practice shooting from the corner and from the top of the key (Diagram 113). O1 goes to the corner, receives a pass, takes a shot, rebounds the ball and passes to O2. O1 continues on to the top of the key. O2 after the pass to O1 runs to the opposite corner. He receives a pass, shoots, rebounds, and passes back to O1. After the second shot, O1 goes to the central line, O2 starts from the corner and so on.
(Diagram 113)
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FREE THROWS
Free throws are very important shots and several times games are decided by the percentage of these shots. We must remember two things: the shooter has a few seconds to relax, and so he has enough time to place his fingers correctly. We teach players to put their fingertips on the flat surface of the ball; the tracks of the ball can influence our shooters sensibility. The most important problem is the psychological pressure on the shooter; for this reason we practice under pressure. We do not like free throw shooting at random; we put some targets on the players. We have two kinds of pressure: physical and psychological. a) We practice free throw shooting after a great hustle like in a game situation. b) We use psychological pressure because everybody is watching the shooter.
During practices we practice free throw shooting under these two conditions using the following drills:
GAP
The shooter may be knocked out of the drill by the shooters behind him. The shooter, if he misses, must rebound the ball and score a put back before the following shooter hits his free throw (Diagram 114). In order to have a lot of shots we split the team into two groups.
(Diagram 114)
FINAL DRILL
We use this drill at the end of every practice. All of the team are on the baseline and one shooter only is at the free throw line (Diagram 115).
All players will take two or three free throws. Guards must hit three in a row, big guys two in a row. If the shooter does his job, everybody claps but when a free throw is missed the entire team must sprint full court. We think this drill is very effective in order to create a close end of game situation and very good to build team spirit. (Diagram 115)
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