Basketball Drills

Basketball is a game of quick stops, fast direction changes, jumps, spins, shots, quick hands and quick feet.  Basketball drills are a necessity to learning and playing the game well.

As a coach you want your players to learn the fundamentals first and foremost. After the players learn the fundamentals or least have a good grasp on them you need to teach them some basketball plays. 

What fundamentals do you start with?

• Footwork
• Pivoting
• Catching the ball
• Dribbling
• Passing
• Shooting

• Rebounding

Let’s take a brief look at each of these.

1. Footwork:  Shows them how to make the Triple Threat position.  A stance that allows them to be ready to dribble, pass or shoot at a seconds notice.
2. Pivoting: This is where a player keeps one foot in the same position while spinning from one side to the other with their other foot to get an open position.
3. Catching the ball: Show the player how to come towards the ball when a pass is being made to them.  Holding their hands up while keeping their eyes on the ball watching it until it is in their hands.
4. Dribbling: Teach the players the concept of proper dribbling (finger tips, head up, keeping the ball low). Teach them how to dribble using each hand.  Show them how to drive towards the basket, create a better passing position and how to dribble out of trouble.
5. Passing: Players need to understand the different passes; chest, bounce, overhead, one handed pass.  They also need to learn about what a passing lane is and how far is appropriate for passing distance.
6. Shooting:  Teach players the proper balance and stance from shooting.  Where their feet go, where their hands go, where their shoulders should be facing, where their eyes should be.  And then its practice, practice the jump shots, foul shots, lay ups.
7. Rebounding: Players need to know how to box out and block out in defensive rebounding.  In offensive rebounding the player needs to know how and what to do with ball when they get the rebound.

The important thing to remember is Fundamentals first, then the game.

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