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Archives by Tag 'Ball Handling'

Individual Game-Like Ball Handling Drills for Offensive Basketball

By adam.warner - Last updated: Wednesday, May 15, 2013

In this behind-the-scenes session, we visit Williamstown, Massachusetts for a Williams College men’s basketball practice. Watch as head coach Mike Maker leads his squad through a series of game-like ball handling and shooting drills, including “Fast Stop Fast” and “Alleys.” Take this opportunity to pick up some new offensive drills for your upcoming basketball practices this season.

Fast Stop Fast

According to Coach Maker, it’s critical to work on this opening drill in order to be a good ball handling team — especially since (at the time of filming) the team has three guards out of the lineup with injuries. The team picked up this drill from Chris Mooney at the University of Richmond.

For each player in the drill, the key is to change speeds in the backcourt, going fast, stopping, and then going fast again. Look to make a simple move when you crossover/slow down. Down the length of the court, players (one at a time) will make a series of three moves before making one final move against a coach waiting at the opposite foul line. After that final move, players will then take it in strong for a layup. The next player in line goes when the first player gets to half court.

Tip: Remember to land on two feet on the layups. Also, while waiting in line, work on your stationary ball handling. It can be a combination of anything really. Just keep active and working on your skills.

*Note early on that players are not going hard enough or fast enough through the drill. It’s essential that you go at game speed at all times. Meanwhile, don’t get yourself into trap areas (e.g. the sideline). Use your imagination and make this drill as game-like as possible.

Alleys

Players start at the top of the key and will go one at a time. Players will dribble drive and make a strong move to the basket for a layup with a coach/defender in the paint initiating some contact. It’s a very realistic drill that simulates players driving to the hoop and making contact along the way. The series begins with straight line drives going to the right side of the rim.

Tip: Since the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, make sure players are not “banana-ing” when driving to the hoop.

Players should then switch to left-side layups now. Notice that they are using a dominant hand finish though. Coach Maker firmly believes in shooting layups with the dominant hand unless someone proves they are very proficient using their off hand. It may be a new concept, but it’s works well for the program and the players learn to adapt.

Finally, the series wraps up with drives from the wing area or slot. Players start on the left wing, drive into the lane, and then finish on the right side with a layup.

Tip: Coach Maker believes the three most important shots in basketball are the layup, free throw, and making 6 out of 10 baskets unguarded. Maker’s squad has adopted this philosophy. For the program, this third shot would be an open three-pointer.

The previous clips can be seen on Championship Productions’ DVD ”All Access Basketball Practice with Mike Maker.” To check out more videos in our all-access lineup, click here.

Filed in Basketball Newsletter • Tags: All Access Basketball Practice, Ball Handling, BasketballCoach Newsletter, Dribbling, Drills, Issue #62, Mike Maker, Offensive Drills, Shooting Drills, Williams College

All Access Stanford Women’s Basketball: Key Ball Handling Drills

By adam.warner - Last updated: Wednesday, October 17, 2012

In the latest edition of All Access, we return to Palo Alto, California for an exclusive look at a Stanford University women’s basketball practice. Head coach Tara VanDerveer leads her squad through a number of ball handling drills during one of the first practices of the 2010-11 campaign.

VanDerveer’s squad initially warms up with some basic ball handling exercises before getting into the half-court drill “Squeeze.” The team finishes up with Zigzags, a full-court drill that emphasizes key offensive and defensive techniques.

The Cardinal reached its fifth consecutive NCAA Final Four last year before falling to Baylor in the national semifinal.

Ball Handling Warm-Up

The team’s ball handling warm-up begins with all players standing in a circle, each with a ball. There’s also one leader in the middle of the circle leading the drill.

Standing in place, players begin with basic ball movement exercises such as circles around the head, waist, and legs. Next, players start dribbling low before getting into pound dribbles. Additional dribbling drills include figure eights, back and forths, opposite hands, and around the legs.

Finally, players get with a partner and make “hot potato” passes. Utilizing a bounce pass, players use one hand to pass the ball quickly back and forth with a partner. The exercises get progressively harder as eventually players must make one dribble and then finish with a behind-the-back pass to their partner.

Squeeze

In “Squeeze”, ball handlers get into one line at half court. Also, two more offensive players set up in the paint area, one on the low block and the other on the wing. There will be one defender on each offensive player.

The goal is to deliver a squeeze pass to the post in a 3-on-3 format. In other words, have the point guard dribble up against pressure and deliver a pass to a flashing low block player around the free throw line area. Meanwhile, the wing player slips backdoor and then the flashing player hits them with a bounce pass for a layup.

Players can also work on different options as well, such as a fake pass to the backdoor and a handoff to the original point guard for a drive and shot. Also, right after the backdoor dish is made, have a coach or manager make a feed to the passer at the free throw line for a turnaround shot to finish the drill.

Zigzag

In “Zigzag”, players go two minutes on each side of the floor. In a 1-on-1 format, players will dribble down the length of the floor at 100 percent trying to beat the defense and score via layup. Keep in mind that defenders can only guard people as tight as they can keep them in front. Use the cones as a guide as you dribble down the floor. Do not give up a layup. Keep the offensive players in front of you. Make them use their weak hand. If you get a steal, it’s your ball.

The previous clips can be seen on Championship Productions’ DVD “All Access Stanford Basketball Practice.” To check out the latest videos in our All Access catalog, click here.

Filed in Basketball Newsletter • Tags: All Access Basketball Practice, Ball Handling, BasketballCoach Newsletter, Drills, Issue #47, Tara Vanderveer

All Access Duke Lacrosse: Ball Handling and Transition Drills

By adam.warner - Last updated: Tuesday, February 21, 2012

In this week’s edition of All Access, we take you back to Durham, North Carolina for a behind-the-scenes look at a Duke University men’s lacrosse practice. Watch as head coach John Danowski leads his squad through a number of competitive drills, including ball handling, full field transition, and 4 v 4 half field drills.

Ball Handling

This first ball handling drill focuses on defenders only with no opposition. Players work on handling the ball in their typical positions and look to spread out in their own defensive end. The goal is to mimic typical passing situations in your own zone, improve on passing and catching (especially long outlets), and move the ball efficiently up the field.

Passes go from the goalie to each of the defenders and then up to the nearest midfielders around the midfield line. The drill forces players to change directions, make quick decisions, and work on key fundamentals such as catching, footwork, and passing. Notice that players are always moving with the ball and that quick, seamless transitions are made between groups.

Full Field Transition

The following transition drill starts with the coach rolling out a ground ball to the face-off players at midfield. The players fight for possession and the team that comes up with the ball transitions to offense.

A three second rule is implemented in the drill to promote quick decision-making, solid ball movement, and constant attacking at a rapid pace. If a player holds possession for more than three seconds, a whistle is called and that player must drop the ball at that spot. The closest player picks up the ball immediately (AKA a “free scholarship”) and starts up play for his side.

4-v-4 Competition

For this 4-on-4 half field drill, the team is now split into two groups, a white team and a black team. Each side takes turns going on offense. The goals are simple. The defense must make stops and offense must score goals.

Teams can tally a point by scoring. It’s a two-ball drill for each set of groups, meaning there’s two main possessions for each rotation. The balls initiate once behind the net and then once from up top. You can get two points for each group of four guys out on the field. Meanwhile, the defense needs to clear cleanly to get out of the drill.

This is a terrific team-wide drill that promotes competition while focusing on half field skills.

The previous clips can be seen on Championship Productions’ DVD “All Access Duke Lacrosse Practice: Individual Skills & Full Field Drills – Volume II” with John Danowski. To check out more videos in our All Access collection, simply head over to our lacrosse library.