Finishing: continuous figure 8 cone touch finishes

This drill develops touch finishes around the basket while moving continuously in tight space. The player moves in a figure-eight pattern around two cones near the block and receives passes from a coach for quick touch shots at the front of the rim. Setup One player and one coach. Place two cones about 2–3 feet outside each block, near the lowest lane line marking. The coach stands in the middle of the lane or near the basket with a basketball. The player begins between the cones. How the Drill Works The player begins moving in a figure-eight pattern around the two cones. The player circles from the inside to the outside of each cone, staying low and moving quickly. Each time the player reaches the middle of the lane, the coach delivers a pass. The player catches the pass and immediately finishes with a quick touch shot at the rim. The player should aim to finish softly over the front of the rim, avoiding the backboard. After the shot, the player continues moving around the cones and repeats the pattern. The drill continues in a continuous rhythm of: movement around the cones catch touch finish immediate movement back into the figure-eight pattern. Key Training Focus Touch finishing around the rim Finishing on the move Short-space footwork and agility Conditioning during skill work Quick catch-and-finish mechanics Game Translation This drill simulates situations where players receive the ball near the basket immediately after cuts, seals, or offensive rebounds and must finish quickly before the defense can react. The continuous movement also mirrors the quick footwork required when working for position around the rim. Coaching Emphasis Move quickly and efficiently around the cones. Stay balanced and controlled when catching the ball. Finish with soft touch over the front of the rim rather than relying on the backboard. Keep the drill continuous with minimal pauses between repetitions. Emphasize rhythm between movement, catching, and finishing. Recommended Usage This drill works well during: finishing skill development post player workouts conditioning segments pre-practice finishing routines While it benefits all players, it is especially useful for post players and interior scorers who need soft touch and quick finishes around the basket. Equipment Basketball 2 cones