Box Drill

Coach K uses this drill quite a bit with his team and is a great tool for perimeter players. Start by putting four defenders in a box or diamond shape to simulate a zone. You can even use managers if you’d like. The goal here is to teach the kids movement. Ask the players to have their feet set, be ready to shoot, use dribble penetration, and to keep balanced.

Offensively, use pass fakes and shot fakes to get the zone moving and to get open looks. Always be ready and use penetration to create and maintain spacing. This way, you’ll always be ready to hit your shot. This also forces the defense to come out and play you.

Also, implement quick fakes back to the direction that you received the ball – AKA misdirection moves. This creates great opportunities for you and your teammates and keeps the defense off balance. Make the defense think you are doing one thing but then go and do another.

Bigs Zone Shooting

One key principle for your big guys is to keep them behind the zone and having them flash. This is a good way of attacking the zone inside. However, they must know how to move first. Next, we’ll get into the different kinds of shots they will get against a zone. Like before with our perimeter players, they must be ready at all times to catch and shoot. This is also quite different than with man-to-man, so you must teach this in your build up as to how you attack the zone as a unit.

Start by getting one player or manager with a pad in the middle of the lane. The offensive player is going to crack into that defensive player. This creates an opening for the bigs to get a good post move. Be sure to show your hands, too.

Next, the post player comes out to the short corner. Look to get that 10-12 foot shot along the baseline.

On the heels of the short corner shots, the bigs are cracking in to the helpside of the zone. The big man should crack into the man who would normally slide down to stop him from making that move. Show a target to that perimeter teammate so he passes right to it. From this position, he can also block him out and screen the defender. Your bigs can also get lob passes after blocking out the defender, too.

After this, we move into flashes. Flash into an open area, like up around the free-throw line. Remember to flash from behind the zone. Flash, catch and face, shoot, and follow your shot.

Finally, put two guys into the post. Watch as they continue to work with each other. Both are posting, one on the ballside and helpside. Let them move around and don’t hit them every time.

The previous clips can all be seen on Championship Productions’ DVD “Mike Krzyzewski: Duke Basketball – Attacking the Zone.” To check out more videos featuring zone principles, click here. Got any zone drills that work wonders for your own team? Let us know by commenting below or e-mailing us at info@championshipproductions.com.

Vertical (Vert)

With Vert, have your 5 man come up towards the top of the key and get his shoulders square to half court, looking to pick for his team’s ball handler. This kind of screen makes it hard for the 5 defender to stay with the 1 guard. It also makes defending guards nervous as they come up the court (especially as their head is facing the opposite direction).

All the while, this gives us a chance for our point guard to go 1-on-1 with a big for a few seconds. Look to eventually get two feet into the paint. In other words, dribble until someone stops you. Get in the paint, and if you don’t have a shot, stop, pivot and make a good pass back out and facing your target. From here, you can easily get back into the flow of your offense.

Phoenix

Many teams will eventually try to defend against the vertical screen by sitting on point guard’s right hand and then shading the big guy to the left. They will look to fight over the top of the screen. When this happens, simply re-screen them. All you have to do is cross it back over, but now the 5 defender has to cut over to cover a defender. NBA standout Steve Nash is the best at this, so we called this Phoenix. It’s hard to trap because of the angle.

The goal with Phoenix is to get the 5 man away from the hoop when you can’t go toe-to-toe with them all game. Also, you don’t necessarily have to score off of this. Instead, look to get two feet in the paint, turn and pivot, and get right into your offense.

Pink

With Pink, have your screener’s shoulders facing the sideline. We like to sprint into this screen as it’s harder for the defense to defend on the move. But be careful about moving screens, too. So as the big screener comes up from the low block to set the screen, pick the defender until it’s no longer effective. You also have a ton of options on the screen and roll as a screener. For instance, you can pop, seal, roll to the basket, or implement Pink (the threat of the screen and roll, AKA slip screen). You don’t even have to set the screen. It’s quite effective, too, especially after a defender hedges.

Plus

Finally, with Plus, instead of slipping the screen, come up, set the screen, and then go screen the next guy. This means there’s an extra screen coming and we’re gonna nail the helpside defender who’s just sitting there waiting. Through this, it will send a wide-open player off of the pick (via curl, fade, etc.). It’s also a terrific way to keep everyone involved.

The previous clips can all be seen on Championship Productions’ DVD “Multi-Option Screen and Roll Offense” featuring Saul Phillips. To check out more videos featuring the pick & roll, click here. 

Pre-Practice Blocking

We start things off with a few pre-practice drills on the defensive end. This opening blocking drill forces players to go 1-on-1 from behind the cage, but the offensive player does not have a stick. The objective for defenders is to use their stick skills and fundamentals to keep the offensive player from gaining certain areas and to force them away from the cage. Three cones are set out on each side of the goal (in the shape of an arc). These cones provide defenders with a guideline for where they should prevent the offensive player from moving.

Tips for Defenders: Do whatever you can to get around the cone and grab the ball. Find that leverage spot and get inside that offensive player’s glove. Don’t let the attacker get top side, either. To help with this, get your stick up field, placed on your man’s back, and wheel him around with the goal to get him back behind the GLE. As for the offensive guys, look to go around the cone and get top side.

Slide Progressions

In this slide progression series, we have an offensive player going up against a number of defensive players. As the offensive player makes a variety of moves, the defensive guys work on their slides based on where the offensive person goes. There are four designated spots, so make sure that players change spots each time. Also have the first two players start back-to-back to commence the drill.

6-on-6 Action

At this point in practice, Haverford is looking to implement certain schemes in a half field setting to prepare for its upcoming games and the playoffs. The goal here is to throw in some different wrinkles defensively and offensively. First, the squad will go for about 10 minutes vs. man-to-man defense and then finish up with 5 or 10 minutes against the zone.

This is a prime opportunity for the offense to work on limiting turnovers, an area of concern for the team lately. A few minutes in, the team loses focus and is forced to run sprints. When they get back into things, Coach Nostrant reemphasizes handling the ball and passing and catching with authority — even when you’re getting tired.

The previous clips can be seen on Championship Productions’ DVD “All Access Haverford Lacrosse Practice with John Nostrant.” To check out more videos in our All Access library, click here. 

Baseline Escape Drill

This drill replicates situations when you are getting pursued on a ground ball. It’s different than facing uncontested ground balls, as now you have some pressure from behind or the side. It’s also about being able to scoop and escape from a variety of different ways and then finding your teammate.

The four players involved are the Roller, Scooper, Chaser, and Baseline. Start this drill at the top of the box or midfield line. Get your roller up top and then the rest of the players almost stacked together.

The roller has all the balls. His job is to roll balls toward the scooper and to control the placement of balls (mixing it up quite a bit). The scooper’s job is to scoop the ball up, but he must feel the pressure behind. Then he must explode on the ball, listen to his baseline teammate, escape, get his hands free, and then throw a possession pass. Making that first pass after the pressure is really critical. Meanwhile, the relationship between the two is crucial to success and escape. The scooper often powers through it with communication from his baseline man (saying things like, “Roll right” or “Pressure on left hip”, etc.).

The baseline man is movable and vocal. The decision now is: Can I throw this ball without being checked? Can I throw it without having to pass through the chaser’s stick? If he can’t, look to split dodge or turn to elude the defense. Then it will be easier for the player to make the pass to the baseline man. The scooper now reads the chaser and can make jump cuts and backdoor cuts to get open.

Around the Clock Drill

Get a line of players ready to go. Next, get a coach with a ball and a stick, plus some spare balls back behind the players. “Around the Clock” is a rapid fire drill designed to get a lot of repetitions and touches.

Have the coach set up in the middle of the field by himself and with a ball. He will start by rolling out an uncontested ground ball towards the first player in line. This player will then come up with the goal to pick it up as fast as he can, move his feet, and get the ball back to the coach. The coach will adjust his position and then roll out another ground ball, this time to the next guy in line.

Like a clock, the coach will move all around the field, switching from the left to the right, or moving out in front or to the side. Players should get the ball in and out of their stick as fast as possible. The great thing about this drill is that it allows for creativity on the player’s part. Look to implement a variety of different stick skills and maneuvers, like goosing, rollaways, and more.

Tip: Get your hands in a good position on the stick. Your top hand should be at the top of stick and your bottom hand should be at the bottom of the stick. Come up with a nice cradle, get in a protect position, and quickly move the ball to the next open teammate.

The previous clips can be seen in Championship Productions’ DVD “18 Drills to Improve Individual Skills” with Kevin Corrigan. Check out more skill development videos by visiting our DVD Library.

Circuit 1

Circuits are fast-paced, quick, and challenging strength training exercises designed to mix up a traditional strength and conditioning program. Let’s start with this circuit.

Med Ball Slam - Slam a med ball side to side. Be sure to always bring the ball back up over your head after each purposeful slam. This exercise really engages the core and shoulders.

Havards – Use a standard bench for this one. Stand straight and facing the bench. Tap your toe quickly to the bench, alternating feet. This is almost like a running motion. Look to go quicker each time.

Wide Pushups – Get your hands out wider than your standard pushups (further than shoulder width apart). Your body should be nice and in line. Get down and deep. The wider pushup exercise targets shoulder areas more, plus your chest muscles and triceps.

Crossover Step – Use a bench again for this exercise. Step with your outside leg up onto the bench and then down to the opposite side of the ground. Keep going back and forth like this, using your outside leg each time to step up and onto the bench. Establish a rhythm, pick up the pace, and always try to go a little bit faster.

Bench Dips – Use your hands and grab the bench behind you. Face away from the bench and keep your legs straight out. Dip down bending at the elbows and come back straight up. You can also bend your knees to make this an easier routine.

Wall Sit – Press your back against the ball. Keep your feet are shoulder width apart. Sink down with your back pressed nice and firm against the wall. Your arms should be down at your side. Remember to breathe. Hold this position about 20-45 seconds. Continue to breathe and don’t creep up against the wall.

Circuit 2

Squat to Bench – Squat down, touch the bench with your butt, and stand all the way back up. Your feet should be shoulder width apart. Make each rep controlled. Go down and all the way back. Keep a nice flat back and don’t do any turning or twisting.

Superhero Pushup Series

Superman Pushup - Come down and then lift up with one arm and the opposite leg. Alternate each time. Keep your back flat when you come up with that movement and don’t twist too much with the body. Make sure you are lifting with the shoulder and hip.

Batman - Do a pushup. Then open up like a cape to one side, turning those hips to the side. Then go down and back up with the opposite side. Square up your hips and really open up the body. Continue straight up with minimal rotation.

Spiderman – Go down and then bring that knee up to the side, as if crawling up a building. Look to bring the knee to the elbow.

Alternating V-Sit – Lay on the floor on your back with your arms behind you. Reach up with both hands to one leg. Crunch up and bring up the leg straight. Reach for the toe as high as you can and then come back down. Keep each rep nice and controlled.

Squat Hold – Start with your feet shoulder width apart. Drop down into a squat and hold it there. Keep your back flat and thighs parallel to the ground. Hold this position up to 45 seconds (depending on length of circuit).

Lateral Band Walk – Get bands around your ankles. Squat down, take two steps to the side, and then retreat. Look to maintain a lower squat position. Keep each movement controlled and always have tension in the band. Also, don’t get too close with the feet.

The previous clips can be seen on Championship Productions’ DVD “Strength Training for Women’s Lacrosse.” To check out more videos focusing on strength and conditioning for lacrosse, click here. 

All Access Gold Medal Wrestling Camp

• Learn to drill moves in combinations to score if your first attack does not succeed
• Look for feet-to-back transitions in order to optimize winning opportunities
• Understand key aspects of training like nutrition and mental toughness that are important in developing the complete wrestler
• Learn world-class technique and an intense work ethic that will set you apart from the rest

Ken Chertow’s Favorite Wrestling Techniques

• Learn to use re-shots, front headlocks, and other techniques to score from your counter attacks
• Develop the slide-by, as well as the set ups that will enable you to score in competition
• Learn a variety of counter attacks from the sprawl position
• Incorporate tilts and rolls to enhance your top and bottom wrestling

Home Training Center Skills & Drills, Volume 1

• Master the seven basic skills that all wrestlers need to know and execute to maximize their potential and be successful
• Incorporate the snake and twister technique to take down your opponent
• Learn drills that will make your wrestlers’ stand-ups more explosive
• Ken Certow has developed over 700 national and state champions at the club and high school level!

Home Training Center Skills & Drills, Volume 2

• Learn to chain together pinning combinations and tilts to turn your opponent like NCAA champion Anthony Robles
• Develop intense hand fighting skills to improve your position
• Learn to drill setups from different tie-ups to create openings and scoring opportunities
• Drills to condition the core muscles are presented in a unique and informative manner

Scoring from the Top: Breakdowns, Tilts, Pinning and Freestyle

• Learn to apply consistent pressure correctly from the top position
• Tilting for quick turns – including the “Robles tilt”
• Learn a leg series for all body types
• Develop chain wrestling strategies to score multiple sets of near fall points
• Master several critical freestyle turns

Scoring from the Bottom: Second Moves and Chain Wrestling

• Learn a variety of drills that promote explosive movement off of the bottom
• Develop skills for a good hip heist to complement the stand-up
• Develop chain wrestling skills and maximize multiple scoring opportunities
• Turn reversals into five point moves or pins to increase your success on bottom
• Learn to defend legs and score with a wide array of leg counters

Stand ups, Knee Slides and Critical Bottom Skills and Techniques

• Make your stand up more effective by fine tuning your position
• Recover and establish strong positions to consistently score from bottom
• Address and correct common problems encountered on bottom
• Develop chain wrestling skills by creating constant motion

High Percentage Upper Body Techniques

• Learn the fundamentals of basic locks, ties, and throws to score using upper body techniques
• Learn upper body tactics that can be used effectively in all three styles of wrestling
• Learn how to hit Coach Hermann’s patented “Bonsai” arm throw
• Develop an arsenal of high-percentage five point moves

Here are a couple more Ken Chertow DVDs that will improve your wrestlers!

High Percentage Takedowns
High Percentage Throws and Counter Attacks

Watch as head coach John Calipari walks through several team drills for you and reveals overall strategies, general tips, and specific player guidance. This particular session revolves around press attack schemes, three-man shooting drills, and 5-on-5 blockout simulations.

The exclusive look derives from the first few days of practice during the 2010-2011 basketball campaign.

Press Attack

Drive it up one side and then drive it up the other. The team works on their press attack against the coaching staff defense. Working on driving at defense, going the other way, playing to space. Don’t go through the motions. If you can do something in 2 dribbles, don’t do 3 dribbles. There’s chance for an error. Then the team is going “Hash.”

Three-Man Shooting

The following three-man shooting series involves three different sets: Pistol, Drop 5, and Drop Loop Kick it Back.

Pistol – This particular drill is used in a half-court setting. The action starts with one player driving down the center of the court from the half-court line. He then drives to the right side, hands off to a corner teammate, and then takes the ball into the lane and either makes a lob pass at the rim for his opposite teammate or a shot. Calipari reinforces to his players about getting in the lane and making the pass or having the option to shoot the ball coming out of the corner. Get in that lane!

Drop 5- Next, Drop 5 features a pass to the low block teammate and then a pass right back at the rim for the original passer. Then switch it up and hit the backdoor man who passes a lob pass at the rim for the opposite low block player.

Drop Loop and Kick it back – Here, the point guard dribbles down to the foul line area, stops, and passes to a teammate on the wing. The wing player moves up and the original PG replaces him and moves into the corner. He gets a pass back and then dumps it down low to the low block player for a strong move and layup.

5-on-5 Blockouts

In 5-on-5 blockouts, the action starts out with a shot and 5-on-5 battle for the rebound and block outs. There’s a quick transition the other way down the court and the two teams play things out from there. Says Calipari, still hammering home his point from earlier in the drill, “Get in the lane. I gotta find guys that can get inside the lane.”

The previous clips can be seen on Championship Productions’ DVD “All Access Kentucky Basketball Practice 2010-2011” with John Calipari. To check out more college teams in our All Access lineup, visit our basketball DVD library.

Essential 1-3-1 Coaching Points

In basketball, something happens when everyone knows exactly where they’re supposed to be at all times. For Coach  Klaas, his steams have had success in the past because they always know where to be. Let’s begin by revealing how the defense is numbered in order to keep it simple.

Player 1 is our best athlete. He is taller and has long arms. We want him in a position to cover the entire floor. Next, the 2 and 3 players serve as the wing personnel. Player 2 is on ballside and usually smaller, quicker, and loves to pressure the ball. Our weakside wing is bigger and a better rebounder. Next, Player 5 is our strongest player and plays between the ball and the basket, where we need strength. Finally, Player 4 is our baseline runner and does just that, sprinting from corner to corner.

Rules of the 1-3-1 Zone Defense

1) Every player must stay in a stance for the entire defensive possession. In this simulation, the offense starts throwing the ball around. Keep watching to see if the squad can stay in a defensive stance the entire time. This is something your team should work at, push, and strive for.

2) Read the eyes of the passer. This is similar to what any good defensive back would do. And because we are reading the eyes of the offense 3) We will move while the ball is in the air. We don’t rest on defense. Check out the game footage of Adams Friendship to see just how active the team is on the defensive end of the floor.

4) Look to deflect. To help with this, turn your thumb down so you can control the deflection. Keep in mind, the person who deflects the ball is often not the one who steals it. Instead, we expect someone else to pick it up. Therefore, mirror the ball. The ball should always be pressured.

5) Everyone goes to the boards mad. When the ball is shot, everyone knows where they are supposed to be. Note: Player 1 never blocks out. He goes immediately to the weakside board. In fact, because of this tactic, he might just end up being your squad’s leading rebounder.

The previous clips can be seen on Championship Productions’ DVD “Dominating 1-3-1 Zone Defense.” To check out more videos featuring defensive drills and systems, simply head over to our basketball library. 

Fan Drill

Submitted by Tim Hofferber, Guymon High School, Guymon, Oklahoma

The Set-up: The ball starts in the right corner and is passed around the perimeter until it reaches the opposite corner for a shot.

The Action: After each pass, the player follows the pass to the next station. The shooter grabs the rebound, passes to the next player up in the original line, and runs to the end of that line.

Keys: Divide the team in half and place a group at each end of the floor to make it competitive. Also, decide on different shooting spots to shake up the drill a bit.

4 Out Shooting Drill

Submitted by Stacy McGehee, Vincent High School, Vincent, Alabama

The Set-up: There are two lines up at the top of the key. Players 1, 2, and 3 are stacked to the right. Players 4, 5, and 6 are stacked to the left. In the right corner, we have players 7, 8, and 9 lined up. In the left corner, we have players 10, 11, and 12 lined up.

The Action: To begin, players 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 all have basketballs. Players 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 do not. Player 1 passes to 4 and then sets a screen for 7. 7 cuts to the elbow and receives a pass from 4. 7 shoots upon receiving the pass.

The Finish: Next, player 4 screens for 10. 10 curls to the elbow and gets a pass from 2 and shoots. 7 gets his rebound and dribbles to the end of the line behind 2 and 3. Utilize many different types of shots with this drill, including layups, jumpers, jump-stops, head fakes, and more.

30-Second Rotation Drill

Submitted by James Bryant, New Caney High School, New Caney, Texas

Put 30 seconds on the clock and get three players in three different lines outside the three-point line. The first player in each line shoots, gets the rebound, and passes to the next player in their line. This drill continues until the buzzer sounds. Then rotate each line after the buzzer.

The previous drills can be seen on Championship Productions’ DVD “Over 30 Sizzling Team Shooting Drills” by Winning Hoops. To check out more team plays and shooting drills, visit our extensive Winning Hoops collection.

This All Access session presents a terrific opportunity for coaches and players to see how a top-ranked college lacrosse program prepares during the week. In this particular example, Coach Sowell talks with his team in the locker room before reviewing game film from a previous scrimmage. Once the film session is over, the players head out to the field and participate in a number of half-field and man down drills that focus on game-like situations and quick repetitions.

Locker Room Discussion and Film Review

First, on the heels of a two-day rest period, Coach Sowell meets with his squad and talks about effort, intensity, and recent accomplishments. Later on, defensive concepts and key preparation tactics are also discussed. Says Sowell, “Practice like you play so you will play great in big games.”

Coach Sowell then breaks down game film, starting with offensive strategies and making sure players know about their options and what to expect from the defense.

Half-Field Drills

Next, the players take to the field for half-field drills. The team breaks up into two halves of the field, separating the offense and defense. On one side, the offensive players work on catching and shooting in tight spaces around the crease. On the other side of the field, the defense works on clearing under pressure. For instance, there’s a loose ball and the defense must play to space and clear the ball up field while the pressure is on from the riding unit.

The offense then moves into catching, dodging, and shooting on the run about 15 yards from the cage. The drills uses both the right and left sides of the field and goes at game speed. Eventually, the drill moves into catching and firing immediate shots and using a wind-up technique to fire hard on the cage.

Man Down Simulations

Finally, the squad moves into man down drills that focus on back and forth action in a full-field setting. To begin, the offense is in a continual man-up situation. Eventually, the drill moves into 5-on-5 action starting with a transition break and trailer.

The previous clips can be seen on Championship Productions’ DVD “All Access Stony Brook Lacrosse Practice with Rick Sowell.” To check out more videos in our All Access catalog, click here.