7 of Our Favorite Basketball Drills
Posted by C G on 3/27/2018
Tags: Basketball, Training Tips
Formal practices are the best way to learn the fundamentals
of the game of basketball, but learning things on their own can help a child
translate them into practices and games. The key to practicing basketball at
home is to focus on drills that enhance or develop endurance, ball handling and
shooting ability. Mental drills could be just as useful as the act of doing
them. Proper technique is important. Simply go outside, grab a basketball and
get started!
Cone Dribbling
This is a basic drill for kids that will help with improving
their ball handling using various dribble moves. Using a total of five cones
(or other items), align the cones in a straight line and separate them about 5
feet. Using one ball, the player will dribble to the first cone at a moderate
speed with the ball in the left hand to start and do a left-to-right crossover
once reaching the cone. Progressing to the next cone, the player will dribble
with the right hand and do a right-to-left crossover. Repeat these steps for
the remaining cones. After using the crossover dribble, use different dribble
moves such as a dribble crossover through the legs at each cone,
behind-the-back dribble, and an in-and-out dribble (a dribble that makes the
player appears as though they will change directions.) It is important to
practice using both hands while dribbling so each hand is equally skilled with
the ball. Progress this dribbling skill drill to one where the player will not
look down at the ball or cones. Then progress to moving the cones in different
positions and not in a straight line or not using the cones at all.
One Ball-Two Ball Dribbling
This drill will first start off using one ball first. The
player will be in an athletic squat position and dribble the ball with their
strong hand first in a stationary spot for 30 seconds. Then the player will
then use their weaker hand to dribble the ball for 30 seconds. After mastering
this drill using one ball, the player will then progress to use two
basketballs, one in each hand. For 30 seconds the player will be in a squat
position with their head up and not looking down at the ground or balls. While
dribbling both basketballs, it should be a simultaneously motion with both
basketballs in motion. Both balls should hit the ground simultaneously when
dribbling. The objective of this drill is to help the player keep their head up
while dribbling and to practice keeping control of the basketball in a
stationary spot. Once they have mastered dribbling in a stationary spot, they
can start moving around and dribble in a straight line to a certain point and
then dribble back to the starting point with their head up.
Shooting Drill
Using one basketball, start off on the right side near the
basketball hoop. If there isn’t a hoop, you can practice shooting the ball at a
tall object. Make 5 shot attempts using the backboard. The player should be at
a good angle so they are able to shoot the basketball off the backboard. After
making 5 shots, the player will then expand out to the midrange area on the
right side and make 5 shot attempts. Complete these steps on the left side
starting right under the hoop. After making a total of 5 shots from the 4
different spots, the player will finish the drill making two free throw shots.
This drill will help the player be comfortable shooting from different spots on
the basketball court and shooting free throws. Players can work their follow
through using their legs when shooting.
Layup Drill
Starting at the right side, the player will dribble the ball
with their right hand and attempt a layup while making sure they jump off their
left leg and finish with their right hand. Softly lay up the ball using the
square on the backboard. Making sure players jump off the correct leg and
finish with the correct hand is important while doing this drill. On the left
side, complete the same steps but the player will dribble up to the basketball
hoop using their left hand, jump off their right leg and finish with their left
hand. Some players find it hard to use their weaker hand while doing layups
because they don’t practice making their weaker hand stronger. If there is no
hoop, players can practice dribbling up to a garage door or wall and jumping
off the correct leg as if there is a hoop above. This will help players know
which leg to jump off when dribbling on the right and left side of a basketball
hoop. The more your practice, the better you will get!
Defensive Slides
The player will start in an athletic squat position with
their arms expanded out and on balance with their lower body. They will slowly
go to the right using one step at a time but staying low and not crossing their
feet with one another. It should be a kick with the leading foot in the direction
they are going with the other leg following behind. The player can do defensive
slides going back and forth from side to side on your driveway or area,
touching each end with a hand. Once comfortable with doing slides going in a
horizontal direction, players can then start going in a vertical direction as
well. Once players get the basic fundamental of the defensive slide down, they
can start going at a faster pace in different directions.
Zig Zag Dribbling
With this drill set up four cones (or other items) in your
driveway or area. The first cone will be in the corner, second cone will be
about 5 feet apart at an angle on the right side. The last two cones will also
be about 5 feet apart from each other. These four cones should go in a zigzag direction
when they are set up. When the player dribbles to the cones, they should go in
a right-left-right-left direction, not in a straight line. Starting in the
corner with a basketball, the player will dribble at a moderate pace with their
right hand to the first cone and do a simple right-to-left crossover. Once the
player reaches the first cone they will use that same right-to-left crossover
in which the ball will be in their left hand now continuing to dribble to the
next cone. The player will continue these steps, making sure the basketball is
in the correct hand while dribbling and keeping their head up and not looking
down. Players can then start using different moves such as going behind their
back, and through the legs crossover. The objective of this drill is to work on
different dribble moves while moving with the ball in possession.
Free Throw Shooting
The player will start by using one ball from the free throw
line. A right handed player will line up their right foot with the free throw
line with the basketball hoop. High school free throw lines are typically 15
feet from the basket. You can mark this line with chalk or tape. If the player
is left handed, their left foot should be lined up with the hoop. It is
important for the player to bend their knees and have correct form at the line.
Younger players can start off closer to the basketball hoop in the “paint” and
practice from a shorter range. If there is no hoop at home, players can
practice by bending their knees and shooting the ball into the air while
working on follow through.
Keep up the good work! Working on basketball skills over
time will help translate into game situations, but it does take time and
practice. So it is important to be patient. If it were easy, everyone would be
a star basketball player. It is those who work hard at it that come out of it
better than when they went into it. Focus on technique, hand placement and
movement, arm movement and other little things that make everything work
properly. Learning these small things will help the overall outcome. When
players master these drills, the can talk with their parents/coaches to see
what else they can do at home to improve.
Written by: Tim Gaines, Sports Director at the South City
Family YMCA and Carondelet Park Rec Complex, and Dale McLin, South City Family YMCA Sports
Intern