ESJMBA
Mini
(ages 10 –11) Basketball
Practice
Planner
ESJMBA Mini Basketball Practice Planner Hoops.sjsports.net
Acknowledgements: Many thanks to the various ESJMBA coaches who have contributed to
development of these materials and all the coaches we’ve watched, listened to, learned from,
and borrowed from in the past and hope to in the future.
© 2010 Chris & Lynda Smith
Saint John, NB, Canada
Terms of Use: This document may be freely distributed
for personal use. It may not be reprinted,
republished, or sold in whole or in part without the express written consent of the authors.
Table of Contents -
Introduction and Philosophy 1 Goal Objectives -
-
Practice Plan Template
Practice Plans
5 2 2 3 Practice 1: Welcome to the Season (Pivoting) Practice 2: Introduction to Shooting Practice 3: Introduction to Defence Practice 4: Introduction to Offence Practice 5: Intro to Passing Practice 6: Intro to Dribble Moves Practice 7: Fun‐Day Practice 8: Pivotting 2 Practice 9: Boxing Out Practice 10: Shooting 2 Practice 11: Passing Practice 12: Driving to the Basket Practice 13: Skills Day (Final Practice) Appendix 1: Teachings and Drills
19 Warm‐ups Cool Down Jog (with a ball) Line Drill Line Drill with a Ball Running Warm‐up Stutter Step Walk, Skip, Jog X Basketball Concepts Athletic Stance / Defensive Stance Boxing Out The Grid Lay‐ups Parts of the Court Pivoting Power Lay‐ups One Second Advantage Ball Handling Ball‐Tipping Change of Speed, Change of Direction Crossover Low Reverse Dribble More Dribble Moves Standing Dribble Reg Drill Defence 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 20 20 20 20 20 21 21 21 22 22 22 23 23 24 24 25 25 26 26 26 26 27 27 27 28 29 -
Box Out Drill Defensive Shuffle Help and Recover Push‐of‐War Zig‐Zag Drill Offense Drive and Dish Give and Go Lay‐up Drill Musical Squares (Thunder) Pivot and Pass Stack Sweep and pivot Shooting 3‐in‐a‐row Chair Shooting Foul Shooting Box Out Rapid Fire Shot Basics Star Drill Passing One Handed Chest Pass Monkey in the Middle Three Man Weave Two‐Handed Passing Drill Fun Games 3‐on‐2, 2‐on‐1 Dribble Knock‐out Dribble Slalom (Lay‐up Race) Fun Facts King (Queen) of the Court Team Jump Shooting Competition 100 Appendix 2: Eight Rules
45 Appendix 3: Safety Checklist
46 29 29 30 30 31 32 32 32 33 33 34 34 35 36 36 36 37 37 37 38 39 39 39 40 40 42 42 42 42 43 43 43 44 Appendix 4: Emergency Action Plan Sample 47 Appendix 5: Emergency Action Plan Template
Appendix 6: Player Certificates
49 Appendix 7: Off-Season Handout
51 48 Introduction and Philosophy This practice planner is designed primarily for coaches of the East Saint John Minor Basketball
Association to aid in delivery of fun and structured, age appropriate development activities for
children participating in house-league basketball teams. It is based on Basketball Canada’s
Long Term Athlete Development model, which identifies appropriate skills for each age, and on
input from experienced East Saint John coaches and other research. By setting clear objectives,
we hope to focus our efforts and to cover as much fundamental instruction as possible.
The Values
Ultimately, coaching is not about basketball. It is about kids feeling valued and having fun. Your
number 1 job as a coach is to help kids to fall in love with the sport of basketball. You do this by:
Leadership through encouragement – Children want to do their best. Praise them for what they
do well and they will want to do even better. Every child should feel valued because he or she
sees it in you.
Empowerment - Every child has the ability to contribute to the team (we’ve had kids with
ADHD, Down’s Syndrom, and Apsergers who all did). Empowering kids means helping them
feel confident in their abilities and their contribution to the team. They have more fun if they feel
they are learning and improving. Challenge them.
Focusing on fun - No one’s baskeball career will be decided by the outcome of a game. We
once had a team that lost every single game, but they learned a lot and had fun. All continued to
play the next year. Five went on to play for rep teams and three made their high school team.
The Age Group
This is a foundational stage in player development. It is in this age group that players begin to
have the level of physical and mental maturity that most lack in previous levels. They can learn
basic skills, such as dribbling with either hand, performing left and right layups, and shooting
correctly. In addition, they can start thinking about basic aspects of play. The skills they acquire
in this age group will form the foundation for future levels of play. At the same time, you will see
a big difference between kids who are 10 and those who are 11.
The Long Term Athlete Development model identifies the following for this age group:
Athletic Abilities
Flexibility
Speed (efforts of 8 seconds
or less)
Speed (fast cadence of
movement, short efforts)
Agility, balance
coordination
Basic techniques
Introduce tactics and
decision making
Basketball Skills
Starts, stops, pivots
Lay ups
Shooting
Ball handling
Passing
1-on-1, 2-on-2, 3-on-3, 4on-4
Conceptual offense –
attacking the basket
Conceptual offense –
penetration principles
Remember – it’s a game. Play well, and have fun!
1 Conceptual offense –
penetration principles
Defence on the ball
Introduction to help
Introduction to deny
Tansition 2-on-1
Transition 3-on-2
Conceptual fast break
Goal The goal of this program is to prepare young athletes to advance in their level of play through
the learning of fundamental dribbling, shooting, passing, conceptual offense, and defensive
skills in the context of team play and to promote a love of the game.
Objectives After completing this program, athletes will be able to:
1. begin each practice and game with a warm-up routine that practices fundamental
movements and reinforces skills from both sides of the basket
2. establish and maintain a correct defensive position between their player and the basket
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
in a half-court defence and in a fast break situation (getting ahead of the offensive player
rather than running beside and reaching in);
pivot with the ball without travelling;
box out between their player and the basket on every shot, in an attempt to secure the
rebound;
rebound by grabbing the ball firmly in both hands;
use the fingertips to perform a control dribble with both left and right hands—protecting
the ball, dribbling low, and keeping the head up;
perform a cross-over and a fake cross-over dribble to move around opposing players;
hold the ball and shoot it using proper fundamentals—beginning square in the shooting
position, using the legs for power, and following through;
shoot foul shots, performing a regular routine and employing proper fundamentals
perform jump-shots from around the key, staying square and following through;
perform a power lay-up from both sides of the basket;
perform a two-step lay-up from both sides of the basket;
perform at put-back under the basket;
perform a chest pass, bounce pass, overhead pass, and one-handed passes and come
to the ball when receiving a pass;
in-bound the ball without telegraphing the pass;
use a V-cut to get open for a pass or inbound;
spread out and pass the ball to beat pressure defence;
fill the lanes and pass the ball to score in transition;
spread out and move on offense;
cut to the basket after making a pass;
use dribble penetration attack the defender and get to the basket;
support and encourage all team-mates on the floor and on the bench;
display good sportsmanship towards other players, coaches, and officials whether
winning or losing; come to all games and practices on time. Note: These are the skills to teach, but few if any players will master them all. In many cases,
just getting defenders to stay between their player and the basket will be a full season task.
However, you will see your players improve as the season progresses and when they return the
next year. 2 Practice Plan Template Although this guide includes suggested practice plans, every coach has a different style and the
needs of each team are different. You can use this template to organize and plan your own
practices.
The practice template is organized along the following model:
Warm-up
10 min
Talk
5 min
Teaching
10 min
Drills
20 min
Games or Scrimmages
15 min
Cool Down
3 min
The practice should move quickly with not too much time spent on any activity and with lots of
time doing and not so much talking. If there is more than one coach for the practice, assign a
different coach as the leader for each activity, with the other coaches providing support. You
may find that you sometimes plan more activities than can be completed in a practice. If so,
focus on the teaching and primary drill for the day and add other drills or activities that will be
helpful and fun.
Warm-up: Get loosened up to play. Practice fundamental athletic movements, such as running,
skipping, jumping, and lateral movement. Reinforce basic skills like layups, dribbling, and free
throws.
Talk: Provide information. Review concepts from the previous practice. Review positives and
negatives from previous game. Make sure players also have the chance to contribute to the
discussion, but keep it short.
Teaching: Choose one primary theme or goal for each practice. Children are able to focus for a
limited time, so teach it first.
Drills: Reinforce previous teachings and skills practice. Make the drills fun. That doesn’t mean
they aren’t also serious, but enjoy them.
Games or Scrimmages: End each practice with fun games. Relay races of various kinds are
always fun. If you scrimmage, reinforce what was learned in that practice. For example, if the
practice was about defence, reinforce the defensive concepts during the scrimmage.
Cool Down: It is a good practice to get athletes used to cooling down at the end of physical
activity. This helps the body to recover and reduces chances of injury. There is a simple cool
down activity suggested in the appendices to this document; however, any series of activities of
decreasing intensity is fine.
Note that this template actually totals 63 minutes, so you’ll have to shave a couple somewhere.
3 Practice #
Date _______________
Goal:
Key Points:
Activities:
Warm-up
Talk
___ min
leader ________
___ min
leader ________
Teaching
___ min
leader ________
___ min
Drill
Drill
leader ________
___ min
Drill
leader ________
___ min
Game or Scrimmage
leader ________
___ min
Cool Down:
___ min
leader ________
Notes:
4 Practice Plans The following are 13 practice plans, which with snow days and school holidays approximates
the number of practices available in a house-league season. Again, these plans are intended
only as a guide. Feel free to modify them or make your own to meet the needs of your team.
However, the plans do provide an organized approach to introducing basic skills at this level.
Note that most of these plans actually total 63 minutes, so you’ll have to shave off a couple of
minutes somewhere.
5 Practice 1: Welcome to the Season (Pivoting)
Goal:
To prepare athletes for a season of games and practices in which they will participate as
a team in developing skills and achieving goals.
Key Points:
- goals for the season
- parts of the court
- pivoting
Activities:
Warm-up
- Walk, Skip, Jog - p. 21
- Stutter Step - p. 21
- Jog (with a ball) – p. 20
Talk
- Introductions
- Feedback: what would the kids like to get from the season?
- Goals for the team: fun, develop skills, be competitive
- Player responsibilities: hold ball on whistle blow, come to
practice and games on time, respect others, do your best
- Coaches’ responsibilities: everybody plays, teach and develop
skills, treat all players with respect, praise as well as
constructive criticism, scrimmage or fun game every practice
Teaching
Parts of the court – p. 24
Drill:
- Standing Dribble – p. 27
Teaching: Pivoting – p. 24
Scrimmage:
- 3-on-3 (encourages spacing and passing. Everyone gets
involved)
- Divide the team into groups of 3
- 3-on-3 full court scrimmage. First team to 2 baskets wins.
- Winning team stays on. (If one team dominates, you might
want to periodically change up both teams)
Cool Down – p. 20
-
-
10 min
leader ________
10 min
leader ________
10 min
leader ________
10 min
leader ________
10 min
leader ________
10 min
3 min
leader ________
Teaching Tips:
If you have an assistant coach, one of you should have an initial talk with the parents while
the other conducts some practice activities. Review the contents of the talk with the players
and talk to parents about their responsibilities, such as respect for officials and others.
Parts of the court should be fun.
Standing dribble. Keep it low.
Pivoting – for advanced players may include leading with elbow to draw ball through the
defence or triple threat position or ball in the shot pocket.
Scrimmage: Focus on everybody picking a man on defence and staying with their man.
“Know who you’ve got!”
6 Practice 2: Introduction to Shooting Goal:
To ground athletes in the correct mechanics for shooting
Key Points:
- be square
- use the legs
- follow through
Activities:
Warm-up
- Walk, Skip, Jog – p. 21
- X – p. 21
- Ball tipping – p. 26
- Standing Dribble Drill – p. 49, Add fun challenges to keep the
head up, i.e. how many fingers am I holding up? Intro rule 3.
Talk
- Feedback: Review previous game (if any). How do they think
they played. What did they do well or could do better?
- Review last practice (ask if they remember): parts of court,
pivoting, dribbling, etc.
Teaching
- Chair shooting – p. 36
Drill
- 3-in-a-row – p. 36
Drill
- Pivot and pass – p. 34
Scrimmage
- 3-on-3 (encourages spacing and passing. Everyone gets
involved)
- Divide the team into groups of 3
- Play a 3-on-3 full court scrimmage. First team two 2 baskets
wins.
Winning team stays on. (If one team dominates, you might want to
periodically change up both teams)
Cool Down – p. 20
10 min
leader ________
10 min
leader ________
10 min
leader ________
10 min
leader ________
10 min
leader ________
10 min
leader ________
3 min
leader ________
Teaching Tips:
- Talk: Coach should mention any particular players who did something well in a previous
practice or game. Try to mention different players each week and be sure everyone is
mentioned several times throughout the season.
- Teaching and shot drill. Good stance is important. Players should have feet about shoulder
width apart, shooting foot a little forward. Bend the knees and start low (good balance).
Make sure they follow through.
- Pivot and pass – Reinforce teaching from practice 1
- Sometime early in the season, you need to teach how to line up for foul shots. You may be
able to insert it in this practice or do it in the context of the scrimmage.
- Scrimmage reinforce “Know who you’ve got.”
7 Practice 3: Introduction to Defence Goal:
Instruct athletes in maintaining position on defence between their player and the basket.
Key Points:
- rule # 1
- defensive shuffle
- know who you’ve got
Activities:
Warm-up
- Walk, Skip, Jog – p. 21
- X – p. 21
- Line drill p. 20
- Line drill with a ball (keep the head up) – p. 20
Talk
- Feedback: Review previous game (if any). How do they think
they played? What did they do well or could do better?
- Review last practice. What can they tell you about shooting?
Teaching
- Defence: Explain relevance of the defensive shuffle and
demonstrate how it is used to maintain a position between an
offensive player and the basket.
- Rule #1: Stay between your player and the basket. (Emphasise
importance of knowing who you have got.)
Drill:
Defensive Shuffle – p. 29
10 min
leader ________
5 min
leader ________
5 min
leader ________
5 min
leader ________
10 min
Drill:
Zig-Zag Drill – p. 31
leader ________
10 min
Fun Game
Team Jump Shooting Competition – p. 43
Scrimmage
Divide into groups of 4. Play 4 on 4 full court. First team to 2
baskets stays on. Focus on staying between player and the basket.
Cool Down – p. 20
leader ________
15 min
leader ________
leader ________
-
-
Teaching Tips:
Teaching. We emphasize rule number 1 all season and before every game. We also select
a defensive shift from each game and announce it at the following practice.
In games, players will especially have trouble when the other team is in-bounding. They will
want to get between their player and the ball, and then get scored on after a lob pass. They
should stay between their player and the basket with one hand and foot in the passing lane.
Scrimmage. Make sure they know who their player is. Blow the whistle to stop play and get
them to freeze. Ask each of the defenders who they guarding and see if they are in position.
*Note: We play half-court defence early in the year with players coming back over half after each basket.
Otherwise, they get caught up in the game, forget who they’ve got, and chase the ball. As players get
more advanced, we mix it up and sometimes play full court.
8 Practice 4: Introduction to Offence Goal:
To introduce athletes to fundamental concepts of spacing and player movement.
Key Points:
- the grid
- spread out
- move
Activities:
Warm-up
- Walk, Skip, Jog – p. 21
- X – p. 21
- Lay-up Drill – p. 33
Talk
- Feedback: Review previous game. How well did they play
defence?
- Announce defensive shift of the game (if any).
- Rule # 2
Teaching
- The Grid (You might explain this in the context of the musical
squares drill that follows.) – p. 23
- Musical Squares (Thunder) – p. 33
10 min
leader ________
5 min
leader ________
5 min
leader ________
10 min
leader ________
10 min
Drill
Rapid Fire – p. 37
leader ________
10 min
Drill
- Star Drill – p. 38
Scrimmage
Full court 5-on-5. Work on spacing. Blow it down and call a
turnover if there are two people in a square unless rebounding.
Cool Down – p. 20
leader ________
10 min
leader ________
3 min
leader ________
Teaching Tips:
-
-
Talk: In reviewing the previous practice, coach should try to draw responses as much as
possible from the players. Don’t be frustrated if they are a bit slow at this. They’ll improve
with time.
Teaching. The grid and spacing on offense will take a lot of time for kids to learn. They will
all want to stand in the key or within 5 feet of the ball. If you can get them to spread out,
move, and pass the ball, it will pay off big for your team this year and for the players in future
years.
9 Practice 5: Intro to Passing Goal:
To instruct athletes in performance of a two handed chest pass and bounce pass
and to get open to receive the pass.
Key Points:
- crisp, hard passes
- come to the pass
- run away from the ball and run back
Activities:
Warm-up
- Running warm-up – p. 20
- X – p. 21
- Lay-up drill (Introduce Rule #3) – p. 33
- Line drill with a ball (to keep the head up, hold up fingers. The
players add 1 to the number of fingers and call out the answer.
This forces them to see and think while dribbling.) – p. 20
Talk
- Feedback: Review previous game. How was their spacing?
Did they cut to the basket after a pass? Review Rules #1 & #2.
Teaching
- Importance of good passes. We don’t want the other team to
steal the pass. Make your teammates better players. Turnovers
are charged to the passer.
Drill:
- Two handed passing drill – p. 40
10 min
leader ________
5 min
leader ________
5 min
leader ________
10 min
leader ________
10 min
Drill:
Stack – p. 34
leader ________
5 min
Drill
- Rapid fire – p. 37
leader ________
15 min
Scrimmage
4-on-4, no dribble
Watch spacing. Rule #2. Good passes
Cool Down
3 min
leader ________
Teaching Tips:
-
Teaching: Good passes are really important. They need to be crisp, so they don’t get stolen.
Pass the ball to the closest open player. (Sometimes players want to pass only to their
friends or to someone they think is the best player. The right pass is to the closest person
who is open.) Have your hands up to receive the pass. To make a good pass, hit the
receiver in the hands. Come towards the pass and make a two foot stop.
10 Practice 6: Intro to Dribble Moves Goal:
To instruct athletes in fundamental dribble moves to go around a defender and to
penetrate to the basket.
Key Points:
- rule # 4
- keep the ball low
- change speed, change direction
Activities:
Warm-up
- Running warm-up – p. 20
- X – p. 21
- Layup Drill – p. 33
- Reg drill (keep your head up and keep your spacing) – p. 28
Talk
- Feedback: Review previous game (if any). Did they try stack
and how did it work? Did they stay between their man and the
basket? How was spacing? Did they make good passes?
- Introduce Rule #4
Teaching
- Ball handling: 4 fundamental skills of basketball are passing,
shooting, dribbling, and defense. Need to be a good ball
handler so you can dribble with either right or left hand, go
around people to bring the ball up or get to the net to score,
keep your head up while dribbling so you can see to pass. In
this practice, learn some dribble moves. Keys are as above.
Drill
Crossover Low – p. 26
Drill
Change of Speed, Change of Direction – p. 26
10 min
leader ________
10 min
leader ________
5 min
leader ________
10 min
leader ________
10 min
leader ________
5 min
Drill: 3 in-a-row (If time) – p. 36
Scrimmage
Divide into teams of 3. Play 3-on-3, full court. First team to 2 wins.
Then change up. Playing 3 on 3 enables all the players to apply
their individual offensive and defensive skills and to use the moves
learned today.
Cool Down – p. 20
leader ________
15 min
3 min
leader ________
Teaching Tips:
- Drills: This will be a challenging practice for many. Since they have been working on right
and left handed layups and line drills with a ball for several weeks, this is the next step.
- Emphasise that it is okay to make mistakes in practice. If you aren’t making mistakes, you
aren’t challenging yourself and trying to improve your skills.
- 3 in-a-row: continue to throw in this drill or chair shooting whenever possible to help players
develop a correct shooting technique.
11 Practice 7: Fun‐Day Goal:
To promote team spirit and sportsmanship through fun basketball activities.
Key Points:
- teamwork
- good sportsmanship towards other teams, coaches, and officials
- review rules 1 to 4
Activities:
Warm-up
- Running warm-up – p. 20
- X – p. 21
- Layup Drill – p. 33
Talk
- No matter how good the players are, the thing every basketball
team needs to succeed is good teamwork. Ask what good
teamwork means. (i.e. passing, being encouraging, etc.)
Fun Facts – p. 43
Have aparent tape up the signs around the gym while you are
talking with the kids. Don’t let the players see the signs before
hand.
Dribble Slalom (Lay-up race) – p. 42
Rapid Fire Contest
Use all the baskets. Have the players report their totals and the
highest score in 1 minute wins
Foul Shooting Contest
Use all the baskets. Players take 10 shots each. The highest score
wins.
Dribble Knock-out – p. 42
Cool Down – p. 20
During the cool down, ask the players to tell you the 4 rules we’ve
learned so far.
-
leader ________
5 min
leader ________
5 min
leader ________
5 min
leader ________
5 min
leader ________
5 min
leader ________
5 min
leader ________
20 min
Scrimmage
Parents against the kids
-
10 min
leader ________
3 min
leader ________
Teaching Tips:
Competitions: Have fun. Remind them it’s only a game.
Scrimmage: The kids are always supposed to win a parents against the kids game, but
some parents don’t seem to be aware of this. You may have to tactfully point it out. Also, be
careful that the parents don’t get too rough. You may be able to liven things up a bit and get
parents in the right spirit by introducing special rules or bringing some props. For example,
one parent may only be allowed to shoot with the left hand. Another may be required to play
wearing oven mitts. Be sure not to compromise safety, but sometimes this sort of thing is
fun. Other parents, however, have no sense of humour at all, so you’ll have to judge the
character of your group. 20 minutes is plenty.
12 Practice 8: Pivotting 2 Goal:
To instruct athletes in attacking the basket after receiving a pass on perimeter.
Key Points:
- square up to the basket
- eyes on the basket
- rule #5
Activities:
Warm-up
- Running Warm-up – p. 20
- X – p. 21
- Reverse Dribble – p. 27
Talk
- Feedback: Review previous game (if any). What do they think
they did well? What do they think they need to improve?
- Rule #5 – How does this relate to the reverse dribble they just
did?
Teaching
- Sweep and pivot – p. 35
How does this relate to the one second advantage?
Drill
- Give and Go – p. 32
Team Jump Shooting Competition (If time) – p. 43
Scrimmage: 3-on-3
Focus on using the one second advantage to attack the basket
10 min
leader ________
5 min
leader ________
10 min
leader ________
15 min
leader ________
5 min
leader ________
15 min
leader ________
3 min
Cool Down – p. 20
leader ________
Teaching Tips:
This is a very intense practice that includes lots of new stuff to learn. There is no way that
they will be able to do all or maybe any of it in a game. However, continue to talk about rule #5.
You’ll be amazed when suddenly, three weeks from now, a player unexpectedly does a reverse
dribble or sweeps the ball and goes the the basket.
13 Practice 9: Boxing Out Goal:
To introduce athletes to the fundamentals of boxing out to secure the rebound
Key Points:
- box out first, then rebound
- grab the rebound firmly with both hands
- rule #6
Activities:
Warm-up
- Crossover Low – p. 26
- Lay-up Drill – p. 33
- 3-in-a-row – p. 36
Talk
- Feedback: Review previous game (if any). Did they use the
reverse dribble or one second advantage
- Review rules 1-5
- Rule #6
Teaching
Boxing out – p. 22
10 min
leader ________
5 min
leader ________
5 min
leader ________
5 min
Drill
- Push-of-War – p. 30
leader ________
10 min
Drill
- Box Out Drill – p. 29
leader ________
10 min
Drill
- Drive and Dish – p. 32
leader ________
10 min
Scrimmage
King (Queen) of the Court – p. 43
Cool Down – p. 20
3 min
leader ________
Teaching Tips:
-
Talk: Make sure the kids know all the rules 1 – 5.
Teaching: Emphasise the importance of boxing out as soon as the shot goes up. Many
players stand and watch the shot and then try to box out and rebound. By then, it’s too late.
Drive and Dish: This is a great way to score. If you can beat your man and penetrate, you’ll
either get a layup yourself or dish (pass) it off to someone else for the easy bucket.
Scrimmage: Although the focus is on defense and rebounding, you can also continue to
reinforce spacing and attacking the basket.
14 Practice 10: Shooting 2 Goal:
To instruct athletes in the correct mechanics of performing a jump-shot.
Key Points:
- Hips down, hands up to catch and shoot
- Be square and follow through
- rule #7
Activities:
Warm-up
- Three Man Weave – p. 40
Talk
- Feedback: Review previous game (if any). Especially boxing
out. How well did they rebound?
- Rule #7.
Teaching
- All shooting is basically the same. Be square, bend your knees,
release high, follow through. The only difference with a jump
shot is that you jump. Any time you are open and within your
range, shoot. No one will ever be upset if you take a good shot.
Even if you miss. To catch and shoot quickly, have hips down
and hands up, so that you can catch and shoot immediately.
Drill
- Shot Basics – p. 37
Drill
- Star Drill – p. 38
Drill
- Foul shooting box out – p. 37
Scrimmage
100 – p. 44
Cool Down – p. 20
10 min
leader ________
5 min
leader ________
5 min
leader ________
10 min
leader ________
10 min
leader ________
10 min
leader ________
10 min
3 min
leader ________
Teaching Tips:
- Because of all the shooting drills, this practice can get a little slow and attention may wander
if you let it. Try to keep the speed of the drills up, close to game speed. With the shot basics
drill, set goals, like making 3 in a row as a team, etc.
- Talk: A lot of young players, if they miss a shot, think that they are no good. In the NBA, a
players are considered good if they can shoot a little over 40%, which means they miss
about 6 out of every 10 shots. Missing some shots is okay as long as they are good shots.
- Shooting Drills: Make a good pass and hit the hands to make your teammate a better
shooter.
- Star Drill: Be sure they use mechanics just practiced – hips down, hands up, step into pass.
- Scrimmage: Remember the grid. Move every 3 seconds. Pass to the open player. Every
time you pass, cut to the basket.
15 Practice 11: Passing Goal:
To instruct athletes in the performance of a one-handed push pass and flick pass.
Key Points:
- make good passes
- close out
- fake a pass to make a pass
- rule #8
Activities:
Warm-up
- Three man weave – p. 40
- 3 in a row – p. 36
Talk
- Feedback: Review previous game (if any)
- Ask what they learned in the previous practice
- Review rule #7
Teaching
- Today look at some different kinds of passing. Also talk a little
about defense. Rule #8.
Drill
- One Handed Chest Pass – 39
10 min
leader ________
5 min
leader ________
3 min
leader ________
10 min
leader ________
10 min
Drill
- Monkey in the Middle – p. 39
leader ________
10 min
Drill
- Help and Recover – p. 30
3-on-2, 2-on-1 – p. 42
leader ________
10 min
Cool Down – p. 20
leader ________
3 min
leader ________
-
Teaching Tips:
You may not have time to fit all this in. If not, leave out Help and Recover and talk about rule
#8 in terms of the 3-on-2, 2-on-1
3-on-2, 2-on-1: They may have some trouble with this at first, so the coach may have to
periodically tell players to get back as the one person on defense or who is supposed to be
on offense.
16 Practice 12: Driving to the Basket Goal:
To instruct athletes in performing a power lay-up
Key Points:
- square to the backboard
- eyes on target
- make the contact
Activities:
Warm-up
- Running Warm-up – p. 20
- X – p. 21
- 3-in-a-row – p. 36
Talk
- Feedback: Review previous game (if any). What are some of
the things we did in the last practice? Did we do them in the
game?
- Review rule #8.
Teaching
- Power Layups – p. 25
10 min
leader ________
5 min
leader ________
10 min
leader ________
10 min
Drill
- More dribble moves – p. 27
leader ________
5 min
Drill
- Star Drill – p. 38
leader ________
5 min
Drill
- Rapid Fire – p. 37
Scrimmage
5-on-5 scrimmage, emphasis spacing (the grid) and defense
leader ________
10 min
leader ________
3 min
Cool Down – p. 20
leader ________
-
Teaching Tips:
The more dribble moves drill will be really hard for some players although you may have a
few who can do the moves. Make sure this drill is fun and that player realize it’s okay to
make mistakes. That’s how you get better.
17 Practice 13: Skills Day (Final Practice) Goal:
To recognize the skills developed by players throughout the season and the
contributions of the players to the team.
Key Points:
- teamwork
- 8 rules
- practice makes perfect
Activities:
Warm-up
- Three Man Weave – p. 40
- X – p. 21
- Lay-up Drill – 33
Talk
- Feedback: Did everyone have fun this year? What are some of
the things they learned? Who remembers the 8 rules?
Dribble Slalom Lay-up Race – p. 60
(Do this several times and add some different moves and
combinations. How about an in-out move? How about an in-out
move and then cross-over?
Team Jump Shooting Competition – p. 43
10 min
leader ________
5 min
leader ________
10 min
leader ________
10 min
Rapid Fire Contest
leader ________
5 min
Dribble Knock-out – p. 42
leader ________
5 min
Certificates and off-season handout – p. 49, 51
leader ________
10 min
leader ________
Scrimmage (if time)
Teaching Tips:
- This is intended to be the final practice. If your season ends up having more than 13 weeks,
create some practice plans of your own and save this one to the end.
- Certificates: Present certificates to each player similar to the ones in the appendix to this
guide. Do not choose an MVP (Most Valuable Player). Every player contributes to the team
to the best of his or her ability, and each contribution is equally valued. Be sure you say
something about each player as you present the certificate. This is very meaningful to the
players and you should choose your words carefully. We have encountered former players
years later who still remembered what we had said.
- Off-season handout: Copy these and hand them out. Basketball season is very short. If
players want to improve, here are some things they can do in their driveway or a park with a
basketball net to work on their skills for next year. Some of these things are really hard.
Encourage players to challenge themselves.
18 Appendix 1: Teachings and Drills General principles
- Try to do drills at game speed after initial teaching. Keep them short and focused
- It’s okay for players to make mistakes. If they do everything perfectly, they aren’t
challenging themselves and aren’t learning
- Set time limits for each drill. Using a timer or clock that the players can see will help the
players stay focused and you will get more out of your practice time
- Practicing a skill over and over doesn’t mean players will be able to use it in a game.
Briefly explain why and when to use the skill and encourage players to make decisions
- Guided defence by the coach is a powerful tool to help players to make decisions, i.e. in
a lay-up drill, step into a defensive position, forcing the player to pull up for a jump shot
- As much as possible, drills should be fun and promote a sense of teamwork
- Avoid starting every drill on the right side of the basket. The first half of the drill always
gets more time. Start about half the time from the left.
19 Warm‐ups Start every practice and game with a dynamic warm-up of increasing physical activity to get the
body warmed up for play. This is also a good time to drill skills that require repetition on a
regular basis, such as lay-ups and ball handling.
Cool Down It is a good practice to get athletes used to cooling down at the end of physical activity. This
helps the body to recover and reduces chances of injury. Any series of activities of decreasing
intensity is fine. Here is a suggestion. Takes about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Players line up along the sideline
- Jog to the other side of the court and back
- Skip to the other side and back, raising the same arm and leg, as if doing a layup
- Walk to the other side and back
- Walk again
Note: Some coaches like the players to remove their shoes and do the cool down in sock feet.
This can be a good idea, especially after an intense practice. Let parents know that players
should also hydrate within 15 minutes of the end of a practice or game to aid their body in
recovery and perhaps have a light snack. Chocolate milk is a really good idea.
Jog (with a ball) Jog around the perimeter of the court while dribbling. Begin by dribbling with the right hand.
Then reverse direction, dribbling with the left hand.
Line Drill Line up along the baseline. Run to the foul line extended; touch the line and run back, to half
and back, the far foul line extended and back, the far wall and back.
Line Drill with a Ball Follow the same procedure as with the line drill, but dribbling a ball. Dribble with the right hand
up to the line and back with the left hand.
Running Warm‐up Note: In basketball, you run different ways. When jogging, run on the heels. When sprinting, run
on the balls of the feet. Some players run flat footed. Over time, this warm up helps improve
running.
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Players line up on the baseline or sideline
Light jog
Butt kicks – players line up along the baseline and jog forward, kicking themselves in the
butt. A coach walks backward in front of the line. The players move slowly up the court,
although lifting their feet quickly, so that they do not pass the coach. Make sure in all
drills that players are pumping their arms straight forward and back, not side to side.
Karaoke – go the length of the gym and back, stepping the back leg across the front and
then behind
20 -
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High step – walk the length of the floor, lifting the knees high. Try to bring the foot up
above the knee, then extend the leg out and strike the floor firmly with the ball of the foot
in a bicycle like motion
High Knees – jog the length of the court, lifting the knees high. Again, a coach walks
slowly backward in front of the line and the players are not allowed to pass the coach.
Stutter Step Players form lines, spaced well apart, facing the coach. Players stand wide, similar to a
defensive stance and rapidly step on alternating feet (like the football drill where they step
rapidly and then drop for a push-up). If the coach points to one side, the players quickly jumps
90 degrees to that side, jumps back, and resumes stepping. If the coach gestures with 2 hands,
the players jump quickly in that direction 180 degrees and then jump back.
Walk, Skip, Jog Players line up along the sideline. Walk from one side of the court to the other and back. Next
skip across and back, lifting the same arm and leg. Now jog across and back.
X Begin at one corner of the court, jog diagonally across the court to the half line. Turn to face
inwards and do the defensive shuffle across half. Jog diagonally across the court to the
baseline. Turn inwards to face the court and do the defensive shuffle across the baseline to the
starting point. Emphasize butt down, arms out, point your toe the way you want to go.
21 Basketball Concepts Athletic Stance / Defensive Stance The athletic stance is often called the defensive
stance. We call it the athletic stance because this
is the same stance used for power and quickness
when playing defence, attacking the basket off the
dribble, or shooting.
- In the athletic stance, keep a correct posture.
Don’t bend over, squat like sitting in a chair
- Depth of the squat will vary based on the
players’ fitness and flexibility
- Keep head up and arms bent
- When teaching athletic stance, have players
imagine they are grizzly bears, crouching and
showing their claws
- Set up pylons or choose lines on the floor 1012 feet appart. Have the players maintain the
stance while they shuffle from one to the other,
pushing off with the outside foot, stepping out,
and bringing the feet together
Image downloaded from
http://www.basketball.ca/hm/blog/?sid=210
Boxing Out Boxing out is a skill that is undervalued by players and highly sought after by coaches. The
purpose of boxing out is to seal the opposing player behind you so you can get the rebound. If
players do not box out, rebounding simply becomes a jumping contest. In most cases, when
players do box out, the defenders will get the rebound because they are in the best position,
between their players and the basket.
Here are some keys to rebounding:
- Box out immediately every time a shot goes up. Do not watch to see if it goes in and
then try to box out
- Box out by turning to face the basket with the opposing player behind you. Assume an
athletic stance, as illustrated above, with feet apart and knees bent.
- Some players may have been to box out with their arms down and extended behind
them. This is a weak position and it is easy for the opposing player to get through the
arms.
- Box out with arms extended, elbows bent, and hands up. This means that the hands are
already in position to grab the rebound. It is also a much stronger position of the arms
and harder for the defender to push through.
- When boxing out, you must make contact with the opposing player and push back.
Otherwise, the player will simply run around you and get the rebound.
22 The Grid This is a brief explanation of the offensive grid concept
from Canada Basketball.
- The offensive end of the court is divided into 6
rectangles (the entire court is divided into 12)
- For good spacing and to spread the defense and
create opportunities, only 1 offensive player should be in
each of the rectangles. In this way, players can apply the
skills taught in individual offense to attack the basket.
(There may be more than 1 in the area under the basket,
but usually only when going for the rebound or if there is a
post player and another is cutting.)
Important concepts
- Movement: Players shouldn't stay in the same area for
more than 3-5 seconds
- Attack the basket: Players should scan the basket with
their eyes and be prepared to attack with a cut or with a
dribble if they have the ball
- Push-pull: If the ball is being dribbled toward you, it
pushes you away to another area. If the ball is being
dribbled away, it pulls you to follow
- Pass, Cut, Fill: After making a pass, players should cut
to the basket. If they don't receive the ball, they should
come out on the opposite side from where they started.
Following the push-pull principle, the players away from the
pass would fill in behind. (After a pass the other players
should wait a second to see what the receiver will do and
then move. Another option would be for the passer to set a
screen away for the player who would fill his or her space.
The passer could then take that space or cut to the basket.)
- Always find open space
Lay‐ups The layup is one of the highest percentage shots in basketball. Every mini player needs to learn
both right and left handed layups. This is a fundamental skill that is critical to success in the
sport at the next level.
A layup is performed off the dribble as it is not a travel to take two steps after dribbling. That is:
you are dribbling, pick up the ball, and take one step (this is your pivot foot). You take another
step. It is not a travel to then pick up the pivot foot, as long as you don’t put it back down. This is
why a layup consists of step, step and jump off one foot. When teaching layups, we do not talk
about right foot and left foot. Instead, we talk about the outside foot and inside foot, so that the
instructions are exactly the same on either side of the basket. Over time, players should learn to
keep their eyes on the target when driving in for a lay-up. In the case of a lay-up, the target is
not usually the basket, but the upper corner of the square above the basket.
To teach lay-ups
- Have players line up along the sideline and review skipping, lifting the same hand and foot.
- Now have players line up, with the first standing in the blocks. (You may want to split the
team in half and have coaches at each end of the court.) Talk about the outside foot (the
foot furthest from the basket) and the inside foot (the foot closest). Players take turns
23 -
stepping first with the outside foot and then the inside foot, jumping up and raising the same
hand, like skipping. Repeat from the other side of the net.
Now add a ball and repeat from both sides of the net. Players jump up and bounce the ball
off the backboard into the net.
When players are confident in this skill, add a dribble and then several dribbles. You may
not want to do this all the first time the skill is taught, but wait and see how it goes.
Parts of the Court -
Take the players around and show them the
parts of the court
- Discuss what is meant by travel, carry, back
over, and 3 in the key (no 3 point shots in
mini)
-Make it into a game. Every player has a ball. The
coach calls out the name of part of the court.
Players dribble to that part of the court and
dribble on it (i.e. dribble on the baseline)
Pivoting -
-
-
-
-
Pivoting: turning without travelling after stopping
with the ball or receiving a pass
Establish & maintain balance. Stay low, back
straight, head up. Pivot on the ball of your foot, hips
aligned (don’t twist). Keep your stance.
Hold the ball in one of the power positions, on either
hip or on either side of the head with elbows
extended to protect the ball, not in front of the body
When teaching pivoting, start by doing the old
dance, the twist. Pivoting is initiated with the hips
and the feet move to keep the body in alignment.
Now have each player hold a ball and plant one
foot, then turn around in circles, keeping that foot
planted
Now repeat with the other foot planted
Next, partner players up and line them along the
baseline with one partner in front and one behind.
The player in front has a ball. The players in front
toss the ball out, spinning it back. They jump out
and catch the ball with both hands, making a two
foot stop so they can pivot on either foot. They pivot
around and pass the player to their partner and join
the back of the line. After several repetitions, pivot
on the other foot.
24 Image downloaded from
http://www.basketball.ca/hm/blog/?sid=210
Power Lay‐ups The power lay-up is the only shot in basketball where you are not square to the basket. Instead,
you are square to the backboard, both feet pointing at the baseline. Players will have trouble
with this. They will want to face the basket; however, work on being square to the backboard.
The power layup is used when you expect contact with a defender. The purpose is to score and
draw a foul for a potential 3-point play. For example, you may be on a fast break and hear a
defender behind you be driving to the basket while defender slides into position underneath.
To perform a power lay-up, the player picks up the ball and immediately makes a two-foot jump
stop.(You can’t take a step and then jump stop because that would be a travel.) The player
lands lightly in the athletic position, square to the backboard with the ball held in front, and
jumps ups to shoot the ball off the backboard. As with any layup, eyes should be on the target,
which is the upper corner of the square above the basket. If there is a defender between the
player and the basket, the player should actually jump a little bit sideways to hit the defender’s
chest with the shoulder and draw the foul. This is why it is so important to be square to the
backboard, not the basket. By making contact shoulder to chest instead of chest to chest, the
offensive player is able to protect the ball to score and to draw a foul instead of a charge.
Teaching Power Lay-ups
- Players line up above the arc. Every player has a ball.
- The first player dribbles in, does a jump stop and performs a
power layup.
- Coach watches to make sure the player is square to the
backboard, not the basket.
- Player gets own rebound and goes to the back of the line.
- After several repetitions, do it again from the other side,
dribbling with the other hand.
- After the players seem to have got it, the coach takes up a
defensive position just in front of the basket.
- Players again perform a power lay-up, this time jumping in
and making contact with the coach (some kind of padding,
like a football bumper pad or a baseball umpire's pad can
make the kids less self-conscious in making contact.)
One Second Advantage The one second advantage is a concept emphasised by Canada Basketball. Basically, it means
that the offensive player has an advantage over the defender because the offensive player
knows what he or she will do and the defensive player doesn’t. By learning to read the defense
and recognize opportunities, offensive players can exploit this advantage to greatest benefit.
Here is a way to teach this concept:
- The coach chooses the fastest player and announces that they are going to have a race
- The coach has the player stand at his or her side about 3 inches from a line on the floor
- The coach announces they will race to that line
- The coach unexpectedly says “Go” and darts a foot out to touch the line
- Repeat this several times. The coach will always win.
- The coach then asks the team why he or she always wins.
- The answer is that the coach says, “Go.” This gives the coach a one second advantage.
When you have the ball, you are the one who says “Go” because you know what you will
do and the defender doesn’t. That gives you a one second advantage.
25 Ball Handling Ball‐Tipping Using the fingertips, pass the ball back and forth from hand to hand. Move the ball up and down
in front of the body while continuing to tip it back and forth.
Change of Speed, Change of Direction - Begin without a ball.
- Form 2 lines at the baseline (or you could have 3 or 4).
- The first player begins to jog up the court.
- At the foul line extended, the player suddenly explodes and
sprints to half, slows down, and then suddenly explodes again to
the next foul line. The player slows down and explodes again to the
baseline.
- Each subsequent player goes as the player in front reaches the
first line and does the first change of speed.
- Do the same thing coming back. Do this several times until you
are sure they have the change of speed.
- Now add a ball. Repeat the drill with the players dribbling. Focus
on the change of speed.
- Finally, add pylons at each of the lines as indicated by the
triangles in the graphic.
- Repeat the drill. Players dribble with their strong hand to the first
pylon, cross over and go around and continue dribbling with the
other hand, etc.
- Continue to emphasise the change of speed. In truth, you can
have the best cross-over in the world, but if you always go the
same speed, you are easy to guard.
Crossover Low Players need lots of room to do this drill. Arrange them so that you have two lines of 6 (if there
are 12 on your team) across the baseline. Every player has a ball.
- Players get low in an athletic position, really low
- They walk forward (short steps because they are so low) toward the other end while
dribbling the ball back and forth in front of them in a crossover
- Dribble hard and low, keeping the ball below the knees
- If they find it easy, make them do it faster
- Keep head up
- After the first line of players reaches the foul line extended, the second line starts and
both lines continue until they reach the other end of the gym
- Do the same thing coming back
- If the players seem to have mastered the drill, hold up fingers. Players add 2 to the
number of fingers they see and call out the answer. (This gets the head up and makes
them think while dribbling.
26 Reverse Dribble The reverse dribble is a great tool for getting around
pressure defence. The player approaches a defender and
then takes 3 dribbles backwards. The defender will almost
always come forward and be out of position, enabling the
ball handler to do a cross over and go around.
- Begin with players in one or two lines on the baseline. (Two
is better if you have enough coaches.)
- The first player in each line dribbles to the foul line
extended, takes 3 dribbles backwards, then does a crossover and explodes to half dribbling with the other hand.
- The player then takes 3 dribbles backward, does the crossover the other way, and explodes to the foul line extended.
- Repeat the reverse dribble and cross-over and drive in for
a layup.
- Now add a coach at the first foul line extended to provide
guided defence.
- As the player does the reverse dribble, the coach moves
forward as a defender would. The player then does the
cross-over and goes around.
- Use pylons or recruit parents to help at the other lines.
- Emphasise importance of the change of speed. If there are
two lines, players on the left should do a left-handed lay-up.
More Dribble Moves Set up as in the Change of Speed, Change of Direction drill. Basically, this is the same drill
except that we will add some new dribble moves.
- Perform the drill by going around each of the pylons with a cross-over. Be sure to
emphasise the importance of the change of speed and change of direction
- Now perform the drill again, doing an in-out move. This is a tough one to explain.
Basically, it means that it looks like you are going to do a cross-over. Your upper body
starts to go the direction of the cross-over, the ball starts to go the direction of the crossover, but then you don’t cross over. Instead, you bring the ball back and go around the
other way. Don’t put your hand under the ball and carry it. NBA player Allen Iverson
made a career out of this move.
- Now try the drill again. This time, players try to do a cross-over between their legs.
- Finally, try a cross-over behind the back
Standing Dribble Line up along baseline, knees flexed, bent a little at the waist. Dribble with one hand about waist
high. (Dribble with fingertips, pushing the ball into the floor.) Alternate hands. Dribble lower and
lower. Try killing it – dribbling waist high and then suddenly dribbling low. Sit down while
dribbling. Lie down. Get back up. Dribble around one leg and around the other. Etc. After trying
different combinations, make it into a game of Simond Says.
27 Reg Drill - Players line up at one end of the court. Everyone has a ball.
- The first player in line begins to dribble up the court in a straight
line. (If you can find a line on the floor that they can dribble along
that helps. Tell them that they have to stay on that line.)
- When player 1 reaches the free throw line, player 2 goes, and so
on.
- When player 1 reaches the other end, he or she dribbles back,
going in and out among the other players who are dribbling straight
up the line.
This is a great drill for dribbling with the head up as that's the only way to
keep from running into people. It also teaches spacing. If the players
bunch up, they can't do it.
28 Defence Box Out Drill If there is more than one coach, do this at both ends of the
court. Switch up the players regularly to keep everyone busy.
- Two defensive players are just above the blocks on either
side of the basket (represented here by D).
- Two offensive players atand near them, so that the
defenders are between them and the basket.
- All of the players have their backs to the basket.
- The coach stands at the free throw line with the ball. (The
defensive players could be positioned with one hand and one
foot in the passing lane as though denying the pass.)
- The coach yells, "Shot" and shoots the ball.
- The defensive players immediately turn around and box out,
pressing back to back against the offense.
- The coach quickly counts out loud to 3, at which point the
offensive players are also allowed to turn around and
everyone goes for the rebound.
- If one of the defenders gets the rebound (which is what
should happen), the coach immediately moves to the
perimeter on the ball side of basket and calls "Outlet." The
defender makes an overhead pass to the coach.
- If one of the offensive players gets the rebound, that player
immediately tries to put it back up and score.
Defensive Shuffle - Choose two lines on the floor or use pylons. Have
players form two lines, facing the coach.
- The coach calls out "Stance"
- Players immediately assume a defensive stance
and yell, "Defence." They begin moving their feet
quickly up and down, keeping the balls of the feet on
the floor
- When the coach yells, "Go," the players defensive
slide toward one another. They clap their outstretched
hands together when they reach one another and yell
the name of their team. Then they slide back to the
starting point.
- Resume moving the feet up and down until the
coach calls, "Stop."
- Repeat
29 Help and Recover Often, defensive players are intent on guarding their own player
(check), but will allow another offensive player to dribble right
past them and score. Defenders need to learn to see the
person they are guarding and the ball, and to step in and stop
the ball when necessary. One approach is called six-guns. One
hand points to their player and the other points to the ball.
- To start this drill, player 1 is at the top with a ball, being
defended by the coach
- The coach allows player 1 to use a dribble move to go around
- The defender, player 3, takes several steps over to stop the
ball, then immediately recovers to his or her own check.
- Player 1 passes to the coach, and the players rotate. Player 1
takes the place of 2, 2 is now on defense. Player 3 joins the
back of the line.
Note: Even if you are helping stop the ball, you are still
responsible for your player. See your player and the ball.
Now, let's make it a game.
- There are now three offensive players and two defenders,
plus the coach
- The coach allows player 1 to use a dribble move to go around
and penetrate to one side or the other (This is a good
opportunity for the coach to encourage decision making by
positioning in such a way as to force the ball handler to
recognize which is the best way to go.)
- If player 1 goes to the left, player 4 will stop the ball. If player
1 goes right, 5 will stop the ball.
- This is a live game of 3 on 2. As with King (Queen) or the
court, play continues until there is a stop (steal, defensive
rebound, or turnover) or a score.
- If the defense wins, they stay on.
- If the offense wins, the defenders and the person who scored
go off. The other two offensive players are now on defense.
Push‐of‐War You've heard of a tug-of-war? This is a push-of-war.
- Pair up players who are about the same height. Line them up
back to back along the half line.
- Have the players assume an athletic position with arms
extended at the sides, elbows bent, and hands up
- Have the players back up until they are touching (yes, their
bums will touch and they'll giggle.)
- The coach calls, "Shot." The players immediately begin to
push one another. The object is to prevent the opposing
player from coming onto your side of the line and to push your
way onto the other side of the line as far as possible..
- After a few seconds, the coach calls "Stop" and the players
resume their positions.
30 Zig‐Zag Drill - This is the traditional zig-zag drill
- Form players in pairs in lines at either end of the
court (one offensive and one defensive)
- The offensive player dribbles while the defender
shuffles in a defensive stance to stay in front (if
possible, show how the defensive player can use
position to turn the ball handler one direction and then
another)
- The offensive player does not try to beat the
defender
- On reaching half, the players go live one on one
(only one shot allowed)
- Then the players switch roles (offense and
defence) and join the back of the next line.
31 Offense Drive and Dish This drill builds on skills learned in the sweep and pivot and
give and go drills.
- A line of players is at the top of a key. The first player or
first two have a ball. Player 2 is in the blocks and player 3 is
on the wing. Point out how they are all in a different square.
Spacing is really important.
- A coach plays guided defense on player 2.
- Player 1 drives the lane to do a layup.
- The coach leaves player 2 and comes over to stop the
drive.
- Player 1 does a bounce pass to the now open player 2,
who uses the one second advantage to score.
- Player 1 cuts to the opposite side of the rim from the pass.
If player 2 misses, then player 1 gets the rebound and puts
it back in.
- The player who scores gets his or her own rebound and
passes to player 3.
- Player 3 passes to the next person in line and joins the
back of the line.
- Player 2 replaces player 3.
- Player 1 replaces player 2.
- After several repetitions, do the drill on the other side of
the basket.
Give and Go Form a line at the top of the key. The first player has a ball.
Another player is in position on the perimeter in the spot
marked here by player 2. Point out that the players are
occupying different squares on the grid to emphasise the
importance of spacing.
- Player 1 passes to player 2 and then cuts to the basket
- Player 2 passes the ball back to player 1, who does a layup
- Player 1 then outlets to the next person in line and takes the
place of player 2, who joins the back of the line.
- After several repetitions, add a coach as a guided defender.
The player sweeps the ball and passes. Explain that the
player who is cutting needs to go on the ball side of the
defender to receive the pass.
- After several repetitions, repeat from the other side of the
basket.
32 Lay‐up Drill - Players line up behind player 1 at about the 3-point line
to the right of the key. The first two players have a ball.
- Players in line 2 will be the rebounders
- Player 3 is the outlet
- Player 1 dribbles in and performs a layup
- Player 2 starts in at the same time as player 1 and gets
the rebound (don't let player 2 go early)
- Player 3 calls, "Outlet," and receives the pass from
player 2. Player 3 then passes to the next player without a
ball at the back of the line.
- Player 2 becomes the outlet
- Player 1 joins the back of line 2
- After each player has attempted 2 layups (or more, set a
number), switch the balls and the outlet to the other side
and do left handed layups
- Ensure that players dribble with their left hand when
doing a left handed layup
(If there is more than one coach, split the team into two
groups and perform the drill at either end of the gym to
allow for more repetitions or to shorten the time needed.)
Musical Squares (Thunder) This is the primary offense recommended for the mini age group. It teaches offensive concepts
of spacing and movement and forms a strong foundation for future play. At higher levels, this
offense can be built on to include screens (not recommended for this level) and back cuts. The
best thing is that you can continue to reinforce awareness of the grid in the context of layup
drills and other practice activities. The rules of this motion offense are simple:
- No more than 1 person in a square
- Move every 3 seconds
- Every time you pass, wait 1 second to see what happens, and then cut to the basket
- If you cut and don’t get the ball, come out on the side opposite from where you started
It will take repeated practice for players to be able to perform this in a game.
Sort of like musical chairs. You could do this with music
or just use the whistle to stop the movement.
- Players go to different areas on the grid (you could
mark the corners of the grid with pylons initially, but the
players should come to know the grid without this type
of visual marker)
- When the coach says go, the players count silently to
3 seconds and then move to another area. The players
will count and move at slightly different rates, which is
fine.
- When the coach blows the whistle, everybody
freezes. If there are two people in one grid, they are out
and replaced by two other players from the team.
Pass, Cut
- Now add a ball
- A new rule is that whenever a player passes the
33 ball, that player must cut to the basket. If he doesn't
receive the ball, he comes out on the other side. (For
example, if player 1 started with the ball, he would pass
to another player and then cut to the basket, coming
out in the area currently occupied by player 1)
- Continue to stop the movement with the whistle
and check to see if there are two people in one area
- Add two dribbles
Pivot and Pass Divide athletes into groups of 4 and form squares. Each group gets one ball. First player passes
the ball to the player to the left. Player receives the pass, pivots, and passes to the next player.
After a while, change directions. (As they step forward to pass, make sure they step with the
non-pivot foot.)
Stack This is actually an inbounds play, not a drill. We will use
it to teach the concept of v-cuts, which is basically
running away from the ball and toward your defender,
and then suddenly coming back towards the ball one or
two steps to get open. In addition, this will help in
games. One of the biggest problems in mini basketball
is often getting the ball in-bounds. Although this is
shown on the sideline, it can be used anywhere on the
court and in any situation.
- One player inbounds the ball. It doesn't matter
who. You can designate a player or it can just be the
closest person to the ball when it goes out of bounds.
- The other players line up in front of the inbounder.
Again, it doesn't matter who goes where. Make sure
that the front of the line is at least 3 or 4 feet back from
the inbounder.
- The inbounder calls "Break" and slaps the ball
- The player at the front of the line runs to his or her
left and then comes back one or two steps towards the
ball
- The second player runs to his or her right
- The thrid player doesn't move
- The fourth player runs back
- The inbounder passes to the closest open player
34 Sweep and pivot Overview: Protect the ball in an athletic stance. Pivot and sweep the ball to create opportunities
for the pass, shot, or drive. This is a foundational skill that will be needed in many other
contexts.
Teaching
- Be in an athletic stance
- 4 strong areas to hold the ball are on either hip and beside your head on either side
- Protect the ball by leading with the elbow as you pivot and sweep the ball from one
strong position to another
- You should be able to pivot on either foot without travelling
- Keep your eyes on the basket
- Never hold the ball in front of your belly or, for more than a moment, over head
Drill
Have the players form two lines above the arc. Every player has a ball.
- The first player in each line spins the ball out in front, and then catches it with a two-foot
jump stop. (The player can now pivot on either foot.)
- To begin, have the players pivot on the left foot. They should pivot forward and back,
leading with the elbow as they sweep the ball from one strong position to another. The
whole time, they should keep their eyes on the basket.
- After pivoting and sweeping the ball about 4 times, the players drive to the basket and
do a lay-up. Limit them to 3 dribbles. Then they join the back of the opposite line.
- The next time through, have them pivot on the right foot and do the same thing.
- Now add a coach as a guided defender. Players repeat the drill, driving around the
coach first to one side and then the other.
35 Shooting At this age, most players will shoot with two-hands. Some will have the physical strength to
learn how to shoot with one hand and should be encouraged to do so. Others will not. The
primary concerns are to improve shooting are:
- Use the legs for power
- Release high (have players continue to hold their hands up after releasing the shot,
following through. If they turn their heads, they should be able to smell their armpit. If
not, they didn’t release high enough.)
- Be square. If your feet are straight (pointing at the basket), your knees are straight, your
elbows are straight, and your hand is straight after the release, then the shot will be
straight.)
3‐in‐a‐row -
-
Use as many baskets as are available in the gym. Dividing the players up among the
available baskets. If there are only two baskets, place one player in front of the basket and
one on either side so that 6 players can shoot at once
Begin standing right in front of the basket, so that players are more likely to hold the ball
correctly and finish high
Players attempt to make 3 shots in a row, using the same mechanics learned in chair
shooting
If the player misses a shot, it is the next player’s turn
After hitting 3 in a row, take one big step backwards and try to make 3 in a row
After hitting 3 in a row, take another big step backwards
In our rep team practices, we require every player who to do this drill when they arrive for
practice before they can shoot around.
Chair Shooting -
Sit players in a chair with a leg (same side as the dominant hand) on a line on the court
Position the feet appropriately, so that the shooting foot is on the line
Put the ball on the shooting leg
Place shooting hand on the centre of the ball (peace sign over the air hole) and nonshooting hand on the side of the ball
Pick the ball up, so that elbow is at a 90 degree angle, pointing at the basket (looking
under the ball)
Player stands up and shoots the ball high, with good arc, so that the ball lands on the
line
Hold the follow through (If player can’t turn his head and smell his armpit, he hasn’t
finished high enough)
Another player rolls it back
Now try the same thing without the chair. Start in a crouching position. The ball is rolled
along the line. Player picks it up and shoots as before, exactly the same as in the chair.
36 Foul Shooting Box Out This is just a free throw drill with a little boxing out thrown in
for fun. Divide the team into two groups, one with a coach at
each end of the court, or you can have everyone together at
one end. Before you begin, show how on a free throw,
players should try to step in front of the opposing player and
box out.
- Player 1 shoots two free throws.
- In this illustration, player 2 will try to step in front of player 3
and box out while player 3 tries to get in front of player 2.
- Players 4 and 5 will do the same.
- The players compete for the rebound and whoever gets it
returns the ball to player 1.
- After player 1 has shot two free throws, all the players
rotate clockwise.
- Now player 6 will be the shooter.
Rapid Fire This works best if there are 6 baskets available. You need a stop watch or a watch with a
second hand. The drill practices the rebound put-back, one of the highest percentage shots in
basketball.
Divide athletes into groups, 2 to a basket. One player at each basket stands just to one side of
the rim. The player shoots the ball in off the backboard, gets the rebound, moves to the other
side of the basket, shoots again, and so on back and forth for 1 minute. The second player
counts the baskets. Tips: use the backboard and don’t let the ball go below your eyes. Shot Basics -
-
Line behind the arc without a ball
1 rebounder
Line on the baseline everyone has a ball
Player 1 runs towards the free throw line
Player 6 passes and then goes to the back of the other
line
Player 1 (if right handed) has hips down, steps left foot,
makes the catch, and steps right foot (ending up in a
shooting stance)
Player 1 takes the jump shot and holds it, following
through
Player 4 gets the rebound and goes to the back of the
line on the baseline
Player 1 becomes the rebounder
Note: Players should jump on a jump shot, but it doesn’t
have to be high. 2 or 3 inches is fine for most players
although a higher jump for those who are comfortable with it
helps elevate over the defense. Make sure they shoot on the
way up. They may hit back rim at first as they will have more
power than they expect. Some will shoot on the way down,
which leaves the shot short. Also be sure that they jump
straight up and down, not towards the rim.
37 Star Drill - This is a simple catch and shoot drill. It can be supervised
by a coach at the baskets at either end of the court or you
can divide the team into groups of 2 and use all the baskets
available
- One player begins at the free throw line
- A second player is the rebounder and counts the baskets
made
- Player 1 receives a pass from the rebounder and shoots
- The other player gets the rebound while player 1 runs to
spot 2 on the floor to receive another pass and shoot.
- Repeat this process and then start again at the beginning
for a total of 10 shots
Notes:
- Don't allow a dribble, this is a catch and shoot drill
- Players should receive the ball ready to shoot, with the hips
down and hands up
- Talk to the rebounders about the importance of a good
pass. Make your teammate a better shooter by making a
good pass to the hands.
38 Passing Passing and catching are among the most under-taught skills. Players should use a variety of
passes. Chest passes are seldom done in a game. Try to imitate game situations in passing
drills. Snap the wrist to pass the ball.
One Handed Chest Pass -
-
Two lines facing each other. One player in each pair has a ball.
Players make one handed chest passes back and forth. Passing with the right hand.
Pass hard and snap the wrist
After a while, switch to the left hand
Now add a step. The player is passing with the right hand. The player begins by
stepping across with the left foot and passing around the side as if passing around a
player.
Now switch to the left hand, stepping with the right foot.
Monkey in the Middle This drill begins builds on the one-handed chest pass drill. Begin by teaching “Closing out.”
When a defensive player closes out, it means that he or she runs out to defend an opposing
player who has just received the ball. The defender is standing in front of the offensive player
but some distance away. The defender runs out at the offensive player. For the last few steps,
the defender lowers hips and raises arms, taking short stutter steps to slow down and yelling
“Ball, ball, ball.” The arms are raised to obstruct the offensive player’s view and prevent an
overhead pass. Once in position, the defender maintains a defensive/athletic stance with the
hand on the ball side at chest level to prevent a pass and the hand away from the ball held low
to prevent a cross-over dribble.
- Now arrange players in groups of 3
- Two players attempt to pass the ball back and forth while a player in the middle attempts
to steal it
- When the person in the middle steals the ball, the passer goes in the middle
- Insist that the person in the middle run back and forth, closing out on the person with the
ball
- Players can use any kind of pass they want
- Remind them to come to the ball to receive the pass and to have their hands up
- Remind them that passes should be hard, so they aren’t easy to steal
- Introduce the concept of passing lanes. There are basically 5 passing lanes to pass
around a defender: over the head, on either side of the head, and on either side under
the arms
- Introduce the concept of the pass fake. There is a saying, “Fake a pass to make a pass.”
39 Three Man Weave This is a drill to teach filling the lanes and passing on a fast
break and to get them passing on the run. Many mini players
need to stop running or dribbling before they pass, which
enables the defense to get to them. Basically, there are 3
lanes: the middle and the two wings. We want to pass the ball
up the court, not dribble it to get up the floor quickly and
score.
- Form players into 3 lines on the baseline. The first player in
the centre line has a ball.
- The two players on the wing begin to run. Player 1 passes
the ball to either player (in the diagram, player 1 passes to
player 2)
- Player 1 then runs behind player 2 (following the pass), as
player 2 runs towards the middle and passes to player 3.
- Player 2 then runs behind player 3 as player 3 runs towards
the middle and passes to player 1.
- The drill continues with each player passing the ball and
then running behind the person he or she passed to as they
weave down the court.
- At the far end of the court, whoever has the ball does a
layup, gets the rebound, and then they weave back again.
- The next three players go, as the first 3 each join the back
of a different line, so they won't be in exactly the same spots
when it is their turn again.
Notes: There is no dribbling unless it is necessary for the person
doint the layup to take a dribble to avoid travelling. Do not allow
travelling. That means that each player can only take two steps and
must actually pass the ball as the second foot is about to hit the
floor. (Don't worry about this too much to start.)
I have no idea why this is done as a weave instead of the
three staying in their lanes and passing to one another as
they run up the floor; however, this drill is done at every level
and players will be expected to know it if they try out for a
school or rep team.
Two‐Handed Passing Drill Although traditional chest passes are not used extensively in game play, they are a good
starting point and everyone needs to know how to do them. Players form two lines 10-15 feet
apart, each player with a partner. Each two players have one ball. The player with the ball holds
it firmly with two hands, fingers spread wide and thumbs behind the ball, forming a W. Take a
step forward with one foot and make a chest pass to the partner, extending the arms, turning
the thumbs down, and snapping the wrists.
Make sure the players are evenly paired based on physical ability. When they begin to get the
passing down pat, encourage them to make hard, straight passes. We don’t want lazy lop
passes that are easy to steal. Tell the receiver to have hands up ready to receive the ball and to
show a target. Then have the passer come towards the pass by jumping forward and making a
40 two foot jump stop. Often, good passes are picked off because the receiver doesn’t come to the
ball.
After passing back and forth and number of times, introduce the bounce pass, which is basically
the same except the ball is bounced once about ¾ of the way between passer and receiver.
Finally, introduce the overhead pass. Players hold the ball with both hands just above and
behind the head. Pass the ball by stepping forward with one foot and bringing the ball over the
top of the head, releasing it with a snap of the wrists, much like a soccer throw-in. The pass
should be hard and straight and hit the receiver in the hands. This is a great pass for inbounding
the ball or for an outlet pass after a rebound.
41 Fun Games 3‐on‐2, 2‐on‐1 This is a fun alternative to a scrimmage.
- There are 3 lines along the baseline. The first player in
the middle line has a ball.
- Two defenders wait at the opposite end of the court.
- The three players at the front of the lines break up the
floor. They must pass the ball at least two times before
they reach the arc at the other end.
- The three offensive players try to score on the two
defenders.
- Play continues until there is a defensive stop or a score.
- Now the two defenders run back the other way on
offense, while the player who scored or turned the ball
over runs back to play defense (2 on 1). The other two
offensive players are now on defense in the key.
Dribble Knock‐out All the players gather in the key. Everyone has a ball. The object is to dribble your ball while
knocking way the ball of the others. Anyone who loses his ball, double dribbles, or goes outside
of the key is out. Play continues until only one player is left. Dribble Slalom (Lay‐up Race) This is a relay race. Divide into two groups, one at each end of
the court. Each group has one ball. Arrange 5 pylons or shoes
the length of the court in front of each group, beginning from the
foul line, towards the other side of the court. Place them in a zigzag pattern, not a straight line, so that the players have to
change direction when they go around them. The first player in
each group dribbles, weaving between the pylons to the
opposite basket and performs a lay-up. The player must keep
shooting until it goes in. Then the player weaves back through
the pylons, passes the ball to the next person on the team, and
sits. The team with all players finished and sitting first wins.
Switch to the opposite side of the basket and try it with left
handed lay-ups.
42 Fun Facts Before the practice, contact each of the parents on the team to find out one interesting thing
about each player, i.e. “Who had a cat named Poop?” or “Who was born in England?” These
should be things that the players will recognize about themselves, but no one else will know and
that won’t embarrass them too much. Make up individual signs for each of the facts written as a
question and post them on the wall around the gym.
- Each player has a ball
- The players go around the gym and read the signs and try to find out which player goes
with each
- Players are not allowed to volunteer information. They can only say if they are directly
asked.
- Players must dribble the whole time. Half way through, get them to switch to the left
hand
- Set a time limit of about 5 minutes
Note: This is one of the most fun activities ever and the players dribble with their heads up with
either hand without even thinking about it.
King (Queen) of the Court Divide your players into teams of 3. This is a 3-on-3, half
court scrimmage that focuses on defense and rebounding.
The object of the game is to stay on defense as long as
possible.
- The offensive team (circles) begins by inbounding the ball
on the sideline.
- The other team plays defense.
- If the defensive team steals the ball, causes a turnover, or
gets a rebound, they win and they get to stay on and play
defense against the next team.
- If the offensive team scores, they win and they get to stay
on and play defense against the next team.
(Note: If the offensive team misses a shot but gets the
rebound, play continues. It doesn't end until there is either a
score or a defensive stop.)
Team Jump Shooting Competition - Divide the team into two equal groups, one at each
end basket
- Designate a spot on the floor, approximately
indicated as 1 in this diagram, where players will
shoot from
- The first player in line has a ball
- The player shoots, gets the rebound, and passes
to the next player before joining the back of the line
- First team to score 5 baskets sits down and wins
- Repeat from the other positions on the floor
indicated by numbers in the diagram
43 100 This is just a 5-on-5 full court scrimmage. The only catch is that every player on the team has to
touch the ball before a shot. This is a great way to teach spacing and player movement as they
end up just naturally doing it.
44 Appendix 2: Eight Rules Rule #1: Stay between your man and the basket.
Rule #2: Spread out and pass the ball.
Rule #3: Anything you can do with your right (dominant) hand, you
have to be able to do with your left (non-dominant) hand.
Rule #4: Dribble with your head up
Rule #5: Use the one second advantage
Rule #6: Box out! It’s everybody’s job to rebound.
Rule #7: Don’t be afraid to shoot.
Rule #8: See the ball, value the ball, stop the ball.
Remember, it’s a game. Have fun!
45 Appendix 3: Safety Checklist To start the season
- Gather any relevant medical information about each player on the team
- Make sure parents and players are informed about possible risks of the sport
- Tell parents and players about their responsibilities regarding proper footwear
and apparel and hydration
- Inform parents of younger players about their responsibility to be present for
practices and games
- Have a first aid kit (first aid training is a good idea)
- Gather contact information for parents, including cell phone numbers
- Designate a person to be in charge during a medical emergency, i.e. coach or
parent with medical experience (Duties: reduce risk of further injury by securing
the area, clear away spectators and designate assistant to supervise other
athletes, make sure the person is breathing and there is no major bleeding, wait
with the injured person until help arrives)
- Designate a call person to call 911 in case of a medical emergency (Duties: call
for 911; give all needed information, including address, directions, nature of
injury; wait by entrance or send someone to guide medical professionals; call
parent or emergency contact if not present)
- Designate an assistant to supervise remainder of team during a medical
emergency (Duties: keep other athletes away from the scene, maintain order)
- Complete an Emergency Action Plan for each regularly used practice and game
gym
Before a Practice or Game
- Inspect facilities to identify potential hazards
- Inspect equipment to ensure all is in safe condition
- Ensure outdoor footwear is removed outside the gym
- Make sure you have player medical information and EAP on hand
- Make sure first aid kit is on hand and fully stocked
- Make sure there is access to ice or a chemical ice pack
- Ensure athletes are wearing proper footwear and have water or sports drink
- Identify any athletes who are not feeling well or have had an injury
- Observe for signs of fatigue or aggression during the practice or game
- Make sure you have access to a phone or fully charged cell phone
Call 911 Immediately if a person
- Is not breathing
- Doesn’t have a pulse
- Is bleeding extensively
- Has lost consciousness (don’t take chances with head injuries or possible
concussion)
- Has a potentially injured back or neck
- Has a major visible injury to a limb (i.e. broken arm)
46 Appendix 4: Emergency Action Plan Sample This action plan is a sample. Use the template that follows to create a plan for locations
you use regularly.
Emergency Action Plan – Champlain Heights School
Address:
111 Champlain Drive
Saint John, NB E2J 3E4
(506) 658-5335
Directions:
On the traffic circle on Champlain Drive.
Map:
Emergency phone numbers
911 for all emergencies
Coach cell phone
Assistant coach cell phone
Charge person
Alternate
Call person
Alternate
Assistant
Alternate
Mary Smith 333-3333
John Doe 333-1232
Sue Jones (parent/nurse)
Mary Smith
Harry Potter
Emily Bronte
Charles Dickens
Eric Clapton
47 Appendix 5: Emergency Action Plan Template Emergency Action Plan – NBCC
Address:
Directions:
Map: Paste Google Map here
Emergency phone numbers
911 for all emergencies
Coach cell phone
Assistant coach cell phone
Charge person
Alternate
Call person
Alternate
Assistant
Alternate
48 Appendix 6: Player Certificates Copy the player certificates or make your own to present to players during the week 13
practice. Spend some time to really think about what recognition is right for which
players. We suggest that there not be an MVP and that you stress that all player
contributions are equally important. Possible categories of awards might include:
Most improved player of the year
Defensive player of the year
Lay up player of the year
Offensive player of the year
Hustle player of the year
Playmaker of the year
Team player of the year
Passer of the year
Rebounder of the year
Shot-blocker of the year
Sportsman of the year
Toughest (gets knocked down, gets back up)
X-factor of the year
Assist leader
Quick hands player of the year (steals)
Ball handler or the year
49 We are pleased to award
____________________ of the Year
_____________________________________________________________________________(Player name)
in recognition of outstanding performance and contributions to the team.
Coach
Date
Coach
Date
Appendix 7: Off­Season Handout The following can be copied and handed out to players at the last practice as a skills
development program for the off season. A lot of these drills are difficult and will take a lot of
time at first. However, as players improve, the whole thing would take only about an hour.
Players can pick and choose the drills to work on each day.
Workout Plan
Mini
Basketball
Off-Season Skills Development Plan
This development plan is designed to
help athletes improve skills in ball
handling and shooting during the offseason. Drills are adapted from Jim
Boeheim’s Big Orange Basketball Camp
Workout Book, Syracuse University,
New York.
Ball Handling – 5 minutes (Ball does not touch floor)
Tipping – 1 minute: Hold the ball over
your head as high as possible. Tip the
ball back and forth from hand to hand
on your fingertips.
Funnel – 3 reps: Start in the same
position as tipping. Keeping the ball
always at arms length, continue to tip
ball while bringing it down in front of
the body almost to the floor and then
back up. Bend your knees to get the
ball down near the floor.
Circle waist 10 times each way.
Circle legs, knees together. 10 times
each way
Figure 8 - 10 reps each way: Stand
with one leg forward. Move the ball
around and between legs in a figure 8.
Dribbling 1 Ball
Switch stance with other leg forward
and repeat.
Cradle 10 reps: Hold the ball between
legs, one hand in front of you and the
other behind. Switch hands, bringing
the one behind and the other in front,
and catch the ball before it hits the
floor.
Forward March 1 minute: Walk
forward, passing the ball in and out
between your legs. Keep you head up
and don’t look at the ball while doing
these drills.
Make 5 free throws. Be square,
use your legs, high release.
Shoot until you get 5 in.
– 10 minutes (head up, dribble low)
Circles – 5 reps each leg each way:
Stride stance with right foot forward.
left hand behind back. With right
hand, dribble ball around right leg 5
times. Then reverse direction around
the same leg 5 times. Repeat with
opposite hand, opposite leg.
Figure 8’s – 10 reps each way: Stride
stance right foot forward. Dribble in a
figure 8 around and between legs.
Repeat with left leg forward.
Leg circles 10 reps each way: Feet
together, knees slightly bent, dribble
in a circle around legs.
Up and Over – 10 reps each way: Sit
down legs extended. Dribble with right
hand. Lift legs together and do a
crossover under your legs to the left
hand. Continue back and forth.
Spider – 10 reps: Dribble ball between
legs. 1 dribble right hand, 1 dribble
left, 1 dribble from behind through
legs with right hand, then with left.
That’s one rep.
Make 5 free throws. Be square,
use your legs, high release.
Shoot until you get 5 in.
Tips
• Don’t spend more than
recommended time on
any section. If you
get frustrated with a
drill, move on to
something else.
• Anything you can do
with your right hand,
you have to be able to
do with your left.
• Dribble with your head
up.
• Be square and follow
through on your shot.
• Bend your knees.
Shooting power comes
from your legs.
Dribbling 2 Balls – 10 minutes
High and low – 5 reps: Dribble 2 balls
waist high. Gradually dribble lower as
low as you can go. Then go back up.
Skills
Development
ESJMBA
Mini Basketball
Hoops.sjsports.net
“ Y ou have to
expect things of
yourself before
you can do them.
- Michael Jordan
Crossover – 10 reps each way: Dribble
2 balls waist high. Do crossover to
move balls from hand to hand. After
10 times, cross over one ball in front
and the other behind 10 times.
Stand and dribble – 3 reps each hand:
Dribble with left hand while dribbling
around right leg 3 times with right
hand. Repeat on other side.
Make 5 free throws. Be square,
use your legs, high release.
Shoot until you get 5 in.
Lay-up Drills – 15 minutes
Dribble to the basket with your right
hand and do a right hand lay-up
executing each of the following dribble
moves 2 times each. Then repeat from
the left side, dribbling with your left
hand and doing a left hand lay-up.
- hesitation
- in-out (fake crossover)
- crossover
- between legs crossover
- behind back crossover
- combo (any 2 moves)
Shooting Drills – 15 minutes
Shooting off the pass – make 10: Toss
the ball in front of you away from the
basket, putting a slight backspin on
the ball. Catch the ball and land with a
2-foot stop. Pivot towards the basket
on your inside foot, square up and
shoot. (When you shoot, follow through
by fully extending your arm upward.
Throw your hand into the rim)
Shooting off the dribble – make 10:
Dribble the ball to the right and pivot
on your inside foot. Square up and
shoot. Rebound your shot. Dribble to
your left and pivot on your inside foot,
square and shoot.
Make 5 free throws. Be square,
use your legs, high release.
Shoot until you get 5 in
It’s a game. Have fun!!!