| "Tips & suggestions from a former college | | | | these as they are performed. Anyway, you can |
| basketball player" | | | | be completely creative in this sort of drill |
| | | | but make sure that the winning teams are |
| This article is mainly designed for the | | | | given something. Keep track of wins and |
| beginning to intermediate coach who is really | | | | losses so that improvement can be judged. |
| wondering what basketball drills he or she | | | | Point out any and all improvements. The key |
| can implement to improve their ball club. | | | | as a young coach is to determine how each |
| I've compiled some of the most basic, yet | | | | player is motivated and work with them that |
| effective drills that I remember being | | | | way. Some players you have to build up and |
| involved with and seen done by other | | | | others you can be more aggressive with. It |
| successful coaches. Understand that I'm about | | | | isn't a bad idea to set up chairs as well to |
| doing drills that work and not doing drills | | | | use as obstacles. Don't allow the players to |
| just to fill time at practice. It can't be | | | | violate basketball rules by carrying the ball |
| stressed enough that these drills need to be | | | | or traveling or even double dribbling. Once a |
| done at high intensity levels in order to | | | | player violates a rule in a real game they |
| experience the desired outcomes. | | | | are punished by losing the ball. If it |
| | | | happens in the drill it should be the same |
| Dribble Chase or Dribble Tag | | | | way, make them start over, even if it means |
| | | | that team has no chance to win the race. |
| This is a great game for beginning players | | | | |
| and coaches. Take a small portion of the | | | | 10 on the Line |
| court, like a half court, give each player a | | | | |
| basketball that they must dribble and play | | | | This is my favorite foul shooting drill of |
| tag with. If any player loses control of the | | | | all time. I still play it today when I can |
| ball they are immediately out. While tagging | | | | with a group of guys because of the pressure |
| a player the ball must be kept in close | | | | that builds up. Each player starts with 10 |
| control. For a more advanced version of the | | | | points and forms a line at the foul line in |
| game, it is a great idea to attempt to knock | | | | single file. Each time a player takes a shot |
| the ball away from the opposing players, | | | | there is one on the line. If the player |
| instead of tag them. This is a great way to | | | | misses he goes down to 10 points. If the |
| see how young players handle the ball under | | | | player makes the shot he stays at 10 points |
| pressure. You also want to evaluate how | | | | and now there are two on the line. This goes |
| aggressive players are going after the ball. | | | | on until all players are out. The game gets |
| You want to discourage players from standing | | | | very fun when there is 6,7,8 on the line |
| in a corner and attempting to only guard the | | | | because the pressure starts to build. When I |
| ball. Reward players for knocking the ball | | | | was younger our coaches would provide mini |
| away from other players. Make sure that they | | | | candy bars for the winning players and that |
| do not throw the ball to knock it away. It | | | | was great. It gave you a sense of |
| must be done as a basketball move, but anyone | | | | accomplishment. This game also gives a chance |
| that loses control of the ball on their own | | | | for the players who aren't the greatest of |
| or has it knocked away is out. | | | | foul shooters. Sometimes a player will get to |
| | | | the line for his first shot with 10 on the |
| Racing Drills | | | | line already. One miss and that player is out |
| | | | and the pressure the kids feel is real |
| This will probably be one of your players' | | | | provides and great practice. |
| favorite drills. It creates a sense of | | | | |
| competition and helps them work on the | | | | Again, these are just some basic simple |
| fundamentals as well. Start simply by having | | | | drills for beginning coaches to use to |
| the players race to either the half court | | | | encourage competition while stressing the |
| line or the end line while dribbling with | | | | fundamentals. If you have questions please |
| their right hand. Have them come back | | | | don't hesitate to email them in so I can |
| dribbling with their left hand. Players that | | | | write an article or topic on the subject. |
| lose control of the ball must go all the way | | | | Thanks. |
| back and start over from the beginning. You | | | | |
| can advance on this also and I will cover it | | | | - by Brian Schofield |
| in some of the more advanced ball handling | | | | |
| drills that can be done. By then, I should | | | | wishes you the best of luck in improving your |
| have my video clips working so you can see | | | | game. |