Drill Library

4-Player Pick-and-Roll Spacing and Reaction Drill Setup: This is a 4-player drill. One ball handler starts in the middle of the floor. A screener sets a pick-and-roll going away from the two other offensive players, who are positioned on the wing and in the corner. How it works: The ball handler uses the screen and makes a read based on the defense. If the pass goes to the roller, the corner player cuts to the basket and the wing player fills down to the corner to maintain spacing. If the pass goes to the wing or corner instead, those players immediately swing the ball to the next player and initiate a drive-and-kick action, following the same spacing and reaction principles from the “Dribble Tag to Drive and Kick” drill. Focus points: Maintaining proper spacing in pick-and-roll actions Reading the pass and reacting with purposeful cuts Timing and movement off the ball Continuous drive-and-kick flow

Setup: This drill can be done with 3 to 5 players. One offensive player starts at the elbow with the ball. The other players are spaced in a loose circle around the lane, outside the paint. How it works: The player with the ball begins dribbling in any direction. The surrounding players must move in that same direction to avoid being tagged — if the ball handler drives right, everyone moves right; if they drive left, everyone moves left. Players must stay active and read the movement of the dribbler. After 5 to 10 seconds, the ball handler picks up the ball and slaps it. At that signal, all players must sprint outside the three-point line and continue the drill with multiple drive-and-kick actions, maintaining the same read-and-react movement principles. Focus points: Reading and reacting to the ball handler’s movement Maintaining proper spacing and timing Quick decision-making in drive-and-kick sequences Awareness of teammates’ positioning

Setup: This drill can include anywhere from 2 to 6 players. One shooter starts in the corner. One defender begins with one foot inside the restricted area. A passer, either a coach or another player, is positioned at the elbow extended. How it works: The passer throws the ball to the shooter in the corner. Once the pass is made, the defender can leave the restricted area to contest the shot. The shooter takes the shot immediately — no pump fakes allowed. Each shooter stays in the corner until all defenders have contested one shot. Scoring can be tracked: shooters earn one point for every make, and defenders earn one point for each blocked shot. Focus points: Shooting under heavy defensive pressure Staying balanced and confident on contested shots Closing out and contesting without fouling Timing and reaction from the restricted area

Setup: One offensive player starts at half-court with the ball. A second offensive player starts ahead at the break, running toward the corner. A defender starts five to six feet behind the offensive player at the break, closer to half-court. How it works: The offensive player at half-court initiates the drill by making an advance pass in transition to the player running ahead to the corner. The defender in the middle has his hands up and is trying to intercept the pass without directly watching the ball. As soon as the defender recognizes the offensive player’s movement, he can attempt to recover and contest the pass. The offensive player with the ball throws the pass over the defender’s head to the runner filling the corner. The corner player must catch and shoot a three, or use a shot fake, take one dribble, and shoot a three-pointer. Focus: Making early advance passes in transition Running wide to the corners for spacing Accurate passing over defenders Shooting contested transition threes

Setup: Two offensive players start on opposite wings. One defender starts on the low block on the opposite side of the ball. The drill begins with the ball on the wing. How it works: The ball handler drives baseline with his right hand toward the basket. The low defender rotates across the lane to help stop the drive. The ball handler touches the ball to the defender’s hands, then reverse pivots. As this happens, the opposite wing offensive player drifts behind the drive to get into the ball handler’s vision. The ball handler kicks the ball out to this lifting teammate. After the pass, the ball handler immediately becomes a screener, setting a pick on the defender who just closed out. This creates a two-on-one situation between the screener and shooter. The shooter can use the screen to shoot a three. Focus points: Reading the closeout and making the right decision Proper screen angle and timing after the pass Creating advantages in two-on-one situations Shooting out of pick-and-roll actions

Setup: Two offensive players start on opposite wings. One defender starts on the low block on the opposite side of the ball. The drill begins with the ball on the wing. How it works: The ball handler drives baseline with his right hand toward the basket. The low defender rotates across the lane to help stop the drive. The ball handler touches the ball to the defender’s hands, then reverse pivots. As this happens, the opposite wing offensive player drifts behind the drive to get into the ball handler’s vision. The ball handler kicks the ball out to this lifting teammate. The defender then closes out to contest the shot. The shooter can either catch and shoot immediately or use a shot fake and take one dribble. Focus: Reading help defense and making the kick-out pass Low man rotation and recovery Maintaining spacing and vision during the drive

Setup: 1 offensive player at the free-throw line, 1 perimeter defender, and 1 rim defender under the basket. How It Works: The rim defender tosses the ball to a random spot. The offensive player works to get open and catch it on the second bounce while being pressured by the perimeter defender. Once the ball is caught, the offensive player attacks the basket, and the rim defender contests without fouling. Focus: Getting open under pressure Finishing through contact/shot blocker Rim protection discipline Curveball: Player must wrap around the back before shooting

Setup: 1 offensive player at the free-throw line, 1 perimeter defender, and 1 rim defender under the basket. How It Works: The rim defender tosses the ball to a random spot. The offensive player works to get open and catch it on the second bounce while being pressured by the perimeter defender. Once the ball is caught, the offensive player attacks the basket, and the rim defender contests without fouling. Focus: Getting open under pressure Finishing through contact/shot blocker Rim protection discipline