Mastering the game of basketball is a never-ending process.

There are many skills that will factor

into how good your game is. While most of these main skills are considered fundamental in a good
basketball game, it’s likely that you aren’t a master at every one of them. Although you don’t have to be a
master of every single skill, having a working ability of each skillset is going to make for a very well-
rounded game.
If you focus on improving all of these skills while cultivating above average ability in one or 2 areas
your game is sure to grow by leaps and bounds, allowing you to have the ability to play a variety of
different positions.

ANALYSIS

ABSTRACTION

BASKETBALL (this is a continuation from the

pre-final term modules)
Dribbling
This skill, along with shooting, is the fun part of basketball for most players and we see many young
players copying their PBA or NBA idols with all types of fancy ball work. There are two reasons to dribble
the ball:

1. It is used to penetrate the ball towards the basket.

2. To create a better passing.

The execution of the dribbling technique is quite simple – it is the action of pushing the ball to the floor by
using the extended and thumbs which grip (wrap around the ball on contact) and by moving the wrist and
the elbow up and then down.

There are two basic types of dribble:

3. Control Dribble (sometimes called a protection dribble)

The control dribble is used to take the ball into open spaces between defenders (penetrate the
defense) and the speed dribble is used to move the ball quickly down the court toward the basket in which
the team scores (such as in a fast break).

2. Speed Dribble

The action of a speed dribble is to push the ball out in front (and to the outside) of the foot on the
same side as the hand being used to dribble and the ball bounces about waist high with the dribbler.

Now, the action for a control dribble is similar but the ball is dribbled much lower (between the knee
and waist). The reason for dribbling is just like passing – to take the ball somewhere and so there are
seldom times in a game where the dribbler should stand still and dribble the ball up and down on the spot. It
is important that to take the ball somewhere the player pushes the ball out in front, not up and down, even in
a Control Dribble.

Travelling is one of the four main areas of turnovers in the game (the others being poor passing,
poor shot selection and fouls) and so it make sense for a coach to teach players how to commence a dribble
without travelling. The travel rules states that on the commencement of a dribble the ball must leave the
player’s hand or hands before pivot foot leaves the floor. An easy way teach players not to travel is to have
them step with their free foot and push the pass forward at the same time to commence their dribble. In this
way it is not possible to travel as the pivot foot cannot be lifted while the free foot is in the air (that would
require the player to jump off the pivot or to fall over).

The following are teaching points on the various dribbling situations, which player may be required
to use in a game, and therefore which must be practiced.

The Drive
It is a dribble which penetrate the ball quickly toward the basket, looking for a close in shot (such as
a lay-up or pull-up jump shot) or a pass off to a teammate, both of which create pressure on the defense
when the ball penetrate the first line of defense. It is a very effective offensive weapon which all players
should be able to use. The various moves a player can use in executing The Drive are called ONE ON
ONE MOVES.
 Initially the drive should be taught from a standing position so the player will learn how to avoid
travelling and later it can be made from receiving the ball on the move. When a player squares to the basket
and is confronted by a defensive player he must look toward the ring, which allows him to see the defense’
head and also his teammates cutting toward the basket. By seeing the defense’ head the player will be able
to read where the defense is moving. If the defense head moves to his left his is moving left, to his right
then he is moving right, backwards mean he is stepping back if the defense’ head comes up it means that he
has straightened his legs (therefore little power for quick movement in any direction).
The ONE ON ONE MOVES of simply, the drive, are outlined in detail in the following section:

1. The Cross Over Dribble

It is simply a change of direction during a dribble and the basis, as always, is the footwork. The
change of direction is the same footwork used in all changes of direction is the same footwork used in all
changes of direction, with or without the ball. The footwork skills must be an automatic response, as must
the ball skills so the maximum concentration by the conscious mind can be focus on reading the game and
making decisions. There are three types of Crossover Dribbles and they are – in front of the legs, between
the legs, and behind the legs (behind the back).

To differentiate between each type of dribble they are referred to as:

a. Crossover dribble

b. Between the legs dribble

c. Behind the back dribble

2. The Hesitation Dribble

It is a move to lead the defense into thinking that the dribbler may be going to make a crossover
dribble, causing the defender to start to move his head to the opposite direction to the dribble. The
execution for a hesitation dribble with the right hand is for the player to slow down his speed a little, stay
low, and with the left foot planted out in front hold up the dribble a little at the top of the bounce (i.e
hesitate the push down) and if the defender’s head shifts to the opposite side then the dribbler steps out
with a long stride with the right foot and pushes the ball out in front and explode by the defend.

a. Faked Crossover Dribble

It is an extension of the Hesitation Dribble. The execution is the same except at the point of
hesitation on the dribble the player rolls his right hand to the outside (right side) of the ball as if to push the
ball to his left and as the defense’ head starts to shift opposite (that is to the defender’s right) then the player
rolls his hand on the ball back to the inside (the left side) of the ball and pushes forward, exploding past in
the same direction. The advantage of the Faked Crossover Dribble is that if the defender does not react to
cover the Crossover Dribble to beat the defender on the opposite side.

b. The Stutter Dribble

It is also an extension of the Hesitation Dribble, with the same execution,
however as the dribbler slows down he makes a stutter step with his feet (this is a very quick and
very short step with each foot) which may cause the defense to slow his momentum and even stand up a
little or believe that a Crossover Dribble is about to Hesitation Dribble, with the same execution, however
as the dribbler slows down he makes a stutter step with his feet (this is a very quick and very short step
with each foot)
which may cause the defense to slow his momentum and even stand up a little or believe that a Crossover
Dribble is about to be made and react to cover this. By putting the defender off balance a little, the dribbler
may be able to explode by on the same side as the ball is being dribbled.

These dribble moves are all footwork and ball control and practice makes it perfect!

Shooting
This is the focal point of the game for many
players, most spectators and some coaches and for these
people it is what wins the game. Of course, students of the
game realize that there are other key factors that help win
games such as good skill execution and good teamwork in
offence; aggressive defense; understanding and reading
the game; that extra hustle and effort by players; and
sound game strategies by the coach. However, blessed
with all these factors a team will not win
regularly unless they can score consistently. This brings us to an important point - there are many
shooters in the game of basketball but only a few great scorers.

It is scoring that is important, not shooting. Not every player on the team is a scorer and while
everyone has the possibility and potential to score, in any team two or three players (the scorers) make the
bulk of the scoring. Therefore it makes sense to get the ball in the hands of the scorers most of the time. All
players must know their shooting range from the basket and the type of shots they can score with. Outside
this range and variety of shots a player should not shoot the ball. Defensive rebounds by the opposition are
turnovers and like all turnovers must be diminished. It is not the number of shot attempts the team takes,
which wins the game but the number which scores. Shooting percentage is important!

A player should learn, and practice, all of the various types of shots used in the game of basketball
so that when the need arises he may make the correct decision on the type of shot to use. Shooting must be
practiced at game speed and in all types of game situations. Five minutes of explosive shooting practice (in
30-second sets) is far better than 30 minutes of standing around shooting “garbage shots."

The Shooting Technique

1. As with all skills, shooting starts at the feet and
works up the body.

2. The feet should be pointed at the target (the ring,

or the vertical line on the side of the small rectangle on the
backboard for a shot close in on the side of the ring) and
spread apart for balance, knees must be flexed for power
(most of the power comes from the legs), elbow under
the ball and pointed at the target, shooting hand under the ball with the fingers and side of the
thumb spread wide and gripping the ball, the non-shooting hand fitted on the side of the ball with fingers
and thumb spread wide and gripping the ball and the fingers pointed vertically, shoulders square to the
target.
3.To shoot the ball, the player pushes with his legs followed immediately by pushing his elbow upwards
toward the target until his arm is fully extended and as the ball releases from the fingers of the shooting
hand, breaks the wrist downwards to provide backspin on the ball, keeping the fingers spread apart.

4.Immediately after the release of the ball the shooting hand wrist must be level and pointed at the target
(this is called the follow through).

5.The fingers on the non-shooting hand will straighten as the ball leaves them, (which is just prior to the
ball release from the shooting hand) and these fingers will guide the ball straight toward the target.
Understanding the reasons why we do things is an important part of learning and so players should
understand how each part of the shooting technique is broken down and why each is so important.

The Basic Concept of Defense

The basic concept of defense is simply TO stop the
ball from getting closer to the scoring area or goal. Since it is
the ball that makes the scores, it is the ball we must stop, not
the players, but they are of secondary consideration. Since any
concept of defense must be designed to defeat a concept of
offence it is logical that in defense we must try to stop the ball
from getting into spaces closer to the goal to reduce the risk of
scoring. In other words, the more we can force the offence to
try to score from further from the goal, the better our chances
of limiting the offences' score.

While in basketball we can use this concept all over the court, the greater effort must be made
within the 3 point line closer to the basket. The main purpose of the defense is to force the ball out toward
the sidelines or toward the center line to reduce the chance of scoring. The use of the shot clock in
basketball encourages aggressive defensive teams to intensify their efforts.

Obviously, defending the ball from penetrating toward the basket and defending players in open
spaces nearer the basket is of prime importance. In basketball, as in most sports, the most dangerous player
is the one with the ball (as he is the only one who can score) and the next most dangerous player is that who
is closest to the basket and to the ball. All good team defenses recognize the most dangerous players in
order of importance and create their defensive intensity toward them accordingly.

In defense, all players play without the ball, and yet to be able to stop the ball every defensive
player must constantly be adjusting with the movement of the ball and in the same direction as the
movement of the ball (move with the ball and in the same direction), as well as adjusting with the
movement of the offensive player (or players) for whom he is responsible. As with offence, defensive
players must see the ball at all times but also be aware of the offensive players and the space around them.
Seeing as much of the court as possible is a key ingredient to being a good defensive player.

In a basketball team, there are usually only a few players who are the major scorers but every
player must be a good defensive player. Along with the above skills the main requirement to be a good
defensive player is effort.
How to Teach the Concept of Defense Through Movement and
Awareness
The skills of basketball comprise at least 75% footwork and the ball skills and team skills are add-
ons. Initially, the coach should point out that in playing defense most movement is lateral (either to the side
or backwards) and to protect space the player should use the width of their body, that is facing their
opponent, not turned side on.

To move to the left, a player should step with their left foot first and to move to the right step with
their right foot first. This keeps the player on balance (as opposed to crossing their feet) and allows the
player to gain distance with their first step. This footwork is covered in detail in the next chapter, but players
should learn early this basic principle of movement.

Using the following steps, beginner players will understand the concept of defense.
1. One on one -without the ball
Divide the basketball court, or similar area, crossways into lanes about 3 meters in width and have
the players stand in pairs, one on the sideline and the other facing about 2 meters inside the court. The
offensive player on the sideline walks across the court, in a zigzag movement, within his lane and the
defensive player who starts about 2 meters inside the court, facing his opponent, tries to stay between the
offensive player and the other sideline by moving left and right and backwards. Change at the other side of
the court and repeat.

2. One on one - with the ball

Repeat the drill 1 with the offensive player dribbling a basketball, using left hand to go left and
right hand to go right, and now stress to the defensive player to move with the ball and to stay between the
ball and the sideline behind him. To do so, the defensive player needs to concentrate on the ball and not the
offensive player. After the initial try, the offensive player can start to ruin slowly while dribbling, causing
the defensive player to have to move quicker. Do not allow the offensive player to beat the defensive
player easily to the other side (which obviously they will be able to do at this stage), as this is a defensive
drill to learn the concept of defense and principles of movement.

3. Two on two-with the ball

Widen the above lanes to about 5 meters and now have two offensive and two
defensive players use each lane. The two offensive players will move approximately level with
each other and the two defensive players will stay about 2 steps in front of their opponent. The offensive
player with the ball will make 3 dribbles and then pass the ball to his teammate who will then make 3
dribbles and pass back his to his teammate and so continue across the court. For the defense, we now
introduce two important terms:
a. ON-BALL b. OFF-BALL

When a defensive player's man has the ball that defensive player is ON-BALL and when a
defensive player's man has not got the ball, he will be OFF-BALL. The player OFF BALL will be 2 steps
toward the ball away from his man and form a triangle so that he can see both his man and the ball. On
every pass, both defensive players will move in the same direction as the ball and change from being ON-
BALL to OFF-BALL and vice- versa. At this early stage, it is important for the coach to stress that the
defensive player moving to OFF BALL does NOT follow the ball with his eyes but look straight ahead to
ALWAYS see both his man and the ball, using peripheral vision. This basic principle of movement and
vision is critical to being able to make good decisions about when and where to move.
Running and Stopping
Basketball is a running game, not a hopping, skipping, dancing game and yet so many players
when asked to perform a skill use one or more of these steps in their movement. Why? Because they have
not been taught basic athletic movement. Basketball skills are 75% footwork and so all teaching and
correction by the coach should always be from the feet up.

Speed up and down the court is not a pre-requisite to being a good player, although it is very
helpful. Due to the small area in which it is played, basketball is a sport where a quick first step (explosive
movement) is much more important, be this an initial step or a change of direction. Hence, correct footwork
is so important. Players need to learn not only what to do but why they should use these movements.
Basketball is a game of straight lines and angles (changes of direction), not running in circles (the
shortest distance between two points is a straight line).

Movement of the Body

To move forward, our head must move forward first, to move backwards, our head goes back and
so it is to the side. This movement of the head is ONLY for the first two steps to create the explosive
movement. Apart from this situation, the player should keep their head in the middle of their body for best
balance and also keep the head up at all times (including on this initial explosive movement) to maintain
good vision. On the initial movement, the player must step out with a long stride to gain distance, to move
explosively with their first step and beat their opponent. Basketball coaches can learn a great deal from
athletics coaches, especially sprint coaches. The 100-metre sprinter starts in the quickest method possible.
Feet are spaced apart (wide base from which to power off), feet are pointed forward (where the athlete wants
to move), knees are bent (for power), head is forward (to create the explosive movement), and head is up
for vision and remains in the center of the body throughout the sprint (for best balance). Any movement of
the head sideways (wobbling from side to side) and failure to point the feet in the straight line ahead, causes
the athlete to move away from the shortest distance between the start and finish and therefore takes the
athlete more time to cover the distance. The athlete is also taught to push hard with the legs and stride out
with long steps for the first few meters to gain distance and to not stand upright quickly so that the power is
forward where he wishes to go, not up. While in basketball the player does not ever crouch as low as the
sprinter, the same principles of movement allow the player to move explosively, both with and without the
ball. Later in this chapter there are a series of drills, which will allow the player to practice learning these
principles.

Obviously in a fast moving game on a small court area, such as basketball, also need to be able to
stop quickly. If the head causes movement the same applies to stopping. The principles of stopping are to
create a wide base (feet apart, either in an open stance, i.e. parallel, or in a closed stance or stride stance, for
example, one in front of the other), lower the center of gravity by bending the knees (the center of gravity is
in the hips), bring the head back over the base (feet) and have the head up for vision.

Generally speaking, athletes with a higher center of gravity (that is their hips are located higher in
their body, in other words they have longer legs in proportion to their upper body) are more athletic than
those whose center of gravity is located lower in their body. This is one reason that certain races of people
(example those of African descent) are more athletic than others (example those of European descent) and
also the reason that males, generally, are more athletic than females (females usually have a lower center of
gravity and also have a different pelvic structure).
Principles of Strength Training
Strength is the body's ability to exert force against resistance. In sports, strength by itself is not
nearly as important as the ability to harness strength that can be powerfully exerted in the shortest time
possible. A plan to achieve this is one of the athlete's most important training tools and is invaluable to
athletic success. In addition to enhancing performance, strength training builds muscle and the connective
tissues around joints, decreasing the risk of injury.

Muscles are a network of bundled fibers forming a functioning unit. They range in size from a
major muscle group like the quadriceps in the thigh that extend the legs, to the muscles that bend the
fingers. The motor nerves from the spinal cord innervate our muscles to form a motor unit, which consists
of the nerve and the attached fibers. The muscle is moved in response to a signal received from the brain or
spinal cord. To carry out the signal, the necessary amount of motor units is recruited to perform the task.

Muscles also respond to stress. In the case of weight training, the stress is the applied weight. In
order to increase strength, the weight must be off a sufficient nature to recruit many motor units. This is the
principle behind overload, or lifting more than is customary in daily activities.

As a result of strength training, the muscles will increase in size, a reaction called hypertrophy.
There will also be an increased recruitment and coordination of motor units. In this way performance is
enhanced, contributing to a greater ability to jump shoot from further away, set picks, and take charges.
Additional benefits of strength training include increased circulation to muscle and energy stores for future
work.

The process of building muscle may take as long as 6 to 8 weeks to firmly take hold. You may
see quick gains in strength during the early stages your program, but this is usually only a neuromuscular
response to "wakening the muscles".

Many female athletes are concerned with becoming muscle bound, but this is virtually impossible
due to the smaller amount of the growth hormone testosterone that women possess in comparison to men.
Women may find, however, that their clothes fit differently because of their newly developed muscle tone.
Improved muscle tone also carries with it the benefit of improved confidence and increased strength.

Classifications of Weight Training

The demands and skills of specific sports require different applications of weight training. For
example, the needs of a basketball forward will be dramatically different from those of a marathon runner.
The basketball player needs to develop strength and explosive power to perform short efforts such as
jumping for a rebound, while the marathoner requires muscle endurance to cover distances over a
prolonged period of time.

Here are some brief descriptions of the basic principles of weight training, along with some tips
for getting started.

Muscle Endurance
Not to be confused with cardiorespiratory endurance, which involves the heart, lungs, and the
utilization of oxygen, muscle endurance is the ability of the muscles to contract repeatedly over a long
period of time. Muscle endurance forms the foundation to safely transition to higher intensity lifting, and
include a muscle endurance program of 1 to 3 sets of 15 repetitions.
Strength
Strength is the body's ability to exert force against resistance. This can be a weight, another
player, or an object such as a ball. Strength is an important ability that
serves as the basis of power programs more specifically translated to the basketball court. A
strength program would involve 3 sets of 6 to 8 repetitions.

Power
Power is the ability to take developed strength and exert it explosively in a short
matter of time, for example, vertical and horizontal jumping ability. Upper body power
development will allow you to make and receive sharp passes.

Principles of Weight Training

1. Warm up. Stretch before and after each session.

2. Follow all safety guidelines.

3.Weight training can be conducted 2 to 3 days per week. The programs described in this book involve
lifting 2 days per week with 48 hours of recovery. This will allow you to develop strength while having
ample time to hone basketball skills.

4.The duration, or number of sets and repetitions, is based upon the program established in the periodization
schedule.

Muscular Endurance: 1 to 3 sets of 15 repetitions. Average a 30 second rest between sets. Some
coaches prefer a circuit program where the athlete lifts for 30-45 seconds at a particular station then
immediately moves to the next station when the time has expired.

Strength: 3 sets of 6 to 8 repetitions with 1 1/2 to 2 minutes rest between sets.

Power: 3 sets of 3 to 5 repetitions with 2 minute rest between sets.

Intensity: For muscular endurance, use a weight that you can lift 15 times. When this becomes easy,
increase the weight by no more than 10 pounds, since most weight machines are set at 10 pound intervals.

For strength and power development, the traditional method for determining the appropriate
lifting weight is as a percentage of the one repetition maximum, or 1 RM. Although this is an effective
method, great care and attention needs to be considered when applying the 1 RM. The athlete should
thoroughly warm up, stretch, and complete a warm-up set of 1- repetitions using a light weight.

A method for assessing the appropriate exercise weight is to find a weight that can be lifted for the
recommended number of repetitions for that day. For instance, if the prescription is for 3 sets of 6
repetitions, find the weight that can be lifter 6 times. The last repetitions should be difficult but not
adversely affect your technique. When 6 repetitions can be completed, increase the weight.

Pivoting
This simple movement is incorporated in almost every basketball skill, both with and without the
ball. Pivoting is simply a movement of changing direction, either forward or reverse, keeping one foot in
contact with the floor. The player maintains contact with the floor by the ball of the pivot foot and uses a
wide and low stance to take small steps in any direction. The feet need to stay apart so that the body can
take up as much
space as possible and the stance must be low for power (the upper body should be vertical and the head up
for vision). The non-pivot foot should be moved close to the floor, not in high steps which are slow, and
also tend to make the player bring the non- pivot foot closer to the pivot foot which causes the player to
stand more upright and so lose power in the legs.

Let's Have an Activity

A. Let's play Basketball.

Follow the instructions to have a healthy, fun and exciting basketball game.

I. Basketball Warm up and Cool down Exercises:

Begin each practice with 5 to 10, minutes of warm-up activities to get players loosened up and ready to
go.

1. Running or speed walking (to the other side and back)

2. Hopping (like a bunny rabbit) (to the other side and back)

3. Skipping (to the other side and back)

4. Bar crawl (to one side, then do crab walk back)

5. Running (to the other side and back)

6. High knees (to the other side and back)

7. Lunges (lung half court, then run and back)

8. Back pedal (to the other side and back)

9. Step Slide (to the other side and back)

10. Dribbling walking (to the other side and back)

11. Dribbling jogging (to the other side and back)

(see the next page)

II. Do the Fitness Coordination Drills

1. Sprint/Jog

2.Relay Race: Break players into 2 teams. Have players line up on the baseline. Relay race examples:
running, bunny hops, skipping, dribbling etc.

3. Simon Says("Coaches says").

4.Line Sprints: Start at baseline, Sprint to the free throw line, then back to baseline, half court and back,
free throw line on opposite side and back, baseline and back.

5.Circle basketball around waist: Players stand and circle their ball repeatedly with-out dropping the
ball.

6.Circle Basketball around legs: Players stand and circle their legs repeatedly without dropping the
ball.

7.Throw ball in the air and catch: Players standing while facing the coach. On coach's cue, players
will throw the ball in the air (start with players throwing ball at low height then progressively get higher).
8. Intermediate players: Box Run.

III. Do the Dribbling Drills

1. Dribble Catch
Individual-Players should stand apart from each other (allow 15 seconds for them
to move to their own space); on signal, they begin dribbling around the court without losing
control. Players stop and catch the ball quickly on a signal. Repeat three times using short intervals (20, 30,
and 45 seconds).

2. Red Light, Green Light

A. Red Light: Means Stop. The players dribble the ball while standing in one place.

B. Green Light: Means Go.

C. Yellow Light: Means Slow Down.

3. Strong Arm
Where the players DO NOT dribble but instead focus on creating their Strong- Arms. Each student
try to knock the ball out of another player's hand but protect his own ball using his Strong-Arms.

4. Dribbling Around Cones

Setup cones every 5 yards (4-5 cones).Form the cones in a linear zig-zag. Variation of this drill:
have the player shoot at the basket when they pass the last cone, or make the game into a relay race, the first
team to finish dribbling through the cones, shoots and then sits in a straight line wins the game.
5. Dribble Around Defenders
Split your team in two. Half of the first group stand in a straight line 5 feet apart. These players
are defenders and cannot move their feet, but can move their hands. The second group will dribble the ball
between the first groups in a weaving pattern. Then switch groups.

6. Follow the Leader

Without a basketball, the coach or players can: jump, run, skip, and hop. With a
basketball, the coach or players can: dribble with left or right hand, cross-over, dribble while
walking backwards, etc.

7. Duck, Duck, Goose

Players sit in a circle. There is one basketball in the middle, and one person is “it."
The person who is “it” will go around in the circle, tap the heads of the players and say, “Duck,
duck, duck, goose.” The players who gets tapped goose will grab the basketball, dribble to the basket, and
shoot and make a hoop before the person who tagged them gets the ball.

8. Shark and Minnows

Start with one player as the “shark." The rest of the players are “minnows". Minnows will have
the basketball and will try to make it to the other side without the minnows getting the balls.
9. Righty-Lefty

10. Change Direction Drill

To start this game, the coach turns his/her back to the team and begins to walk up the court. As the
coach's back is turned, the players should dribble their basketball down the court after the coach. The coach
should then turn to face the players and chase them back to the starting line. Once the coach turns, the
players should Stop, Reverse direction and quickly dribble the ball back to line.

IV. Do the Shooting Drills

1. Partner Pass
Players partner up. The pairs should line up 3-5 feet apart from each other.
Facing each other, passing the basketball to each other.

2. Monkey in the Middle

Have player in groups of 3-4. The object of the game is for the players on the
outside to pass the ball to each other. One player in the middle, the goal is to steal the ball.

3. Passing Relay Race

Divide players into 2 teams. Set up cones in two straight lines. Have players at each cone. The
players will pass the ball down the line. Forward then back.

4. Move the Cone

For this drill, have players in pairs. Each pair will have a basketball. Each player should be about
5 feet away from each other. Place a cone in the middle between the
2 players. The object of the game is for the player to hit the cone, thereby moving the cone
towards the other player.
5. Hot Potato Pass
In this drill, one player is positioned at the center of the key with a basketball. All the other
players line up around the 3 point arc. On the coach's command, the player in the key passes the ball to the
player to their furthest left, that player immediately passes back to the player in the center. This back and
forth passing continues clock wise. A new player then assumes the center position.

6. Shuffle Pass
Player line up in two lines on the baseline about 5-6 feet apart from one another.
Players will shuffle to other side passing back and forth.

V. Do the Shooting Drills

1. Around the World

Place spots around the hoop. Each player will go to each spot and make a basket to continue to
the next spot. If missed, stay at that spot until made.

2. Horse (or any animal)

One player starts the game. That player calls out a shot they will attempt. If that player makes the
shot, all the other players in the group must at-tempt that same shot. If
a player misses the shot, that player receives a letter (H if playing horse). A player is out of the
game if they receive all the letters in the animal. If the player misses the original
shot, it becomes the next player in the group's turn to call out a shot.

3. Layups
Have your players with basketball split in two lines. Half of the players with basketballs stay on
the right side of the three point line. The other half without basketballs
stay on the left side of the three point line. Players on the right will perform a layup. While the
players on the left with rebound the ball and pass.

4. Knockout
Players line in straight line behind the free throw line. The first two players have basketballs. The
first player in line 'will shoot first. If the player makes the shot, the player will pass the ball to the third
player in line. If the player misses, he must rebound, and shoot from anywhere on the court, but must make
shot before passing the ball. The player second in line will shoot after the player in front. If the player
behind them makes the shot before the first player, then the first player is out.

5. Poison
Similar to knockout. Players line up in a straight line behind the free throw line.
The first two players have basketballs. The first player in line will shoot first. If the player makes
the first shot, the player will quickly rebound the ball, while the other players will run away from the
shooting player who will then roll the ball and try to tap the other players. If the ball taps a player, they are
out. If the player misses he must rebound before it bounces 2 times. If it bounces more than twice, the
player is out. Once rebounded, a player must shoot and make the shot then pass to the next player in line.

6. 2on1
For this drill, 2 players are on offense while 1 player is on defense. Starting at half
court, the two offensive players must dribble the ball up the court, pass to the open player and
shoot at the basket.

7. Low Post Shooting

For this drill, 2 players are on offense. Have all players, but one, line up at half
court. One player is by the hoop. One player dribble up the court from half court stops then passes
to player by the basket, then that player shoots. Then rotate. The player who
dribbled up the court becomes the shooter, and the shooter gets in line, and the next person in line becomes
the dribbler.

VI. Do the Defense Drills

1. Defense Shuffle
Divide your team into 2. Each group starts at the corner of the court. The first player from each
group gets into a defensive stance (feet shoulder width apart. knees bent, arms up and out). On the coach's
command the players start to shuffle their feet.

Sprint
Divide team in 2. One group is on offense and the other group on defense. Pair up players so that
every offensive player is playing defense against them. All the offensive players should have a basketball
and line up in a straight line across the half court line facing the basket. The defensive player should line up
about 3 feet away from their partner. The object of the game is for the offensive player to dribble the
basketball past an area down court.

Note: In order to achieve a high percentage effectivity, follow the recommended practice routine
found on the next page.

(see the next page)

VII. Let’s try to know some technicalities

Try to familiarize with the Basketball referee’s hand signals: