Championship Productions Blog

Archives by Tag 'Shooting Drills'

Behind the Scenes with Williams College: Coaches Meetings and Shooting Drills

By adam.warner - Last updated: Wednesday, August 22, 2012

In the latest edition of All Access, we head back to Williamstown, Massachusetts for a behind-the-scenes look at a Williams College men’s basketball practice. Go behind closed doors as head coach Mike Maker sits down with his assistants to devise a practice plan for the day. Later, Maker and company hit the hardwood with “Popeyes” and their popular “Moneyball” shooting drill.

The Ephs continually rank as one of the national top basketball programs at the Division III level. In addition to Final Four appearance in 2010 and 2011, Williams most recently finished 17-8 overall last season.

Coaches Meeting

Assistants Kevin Snyder and Kyle Koncz join Coach Maker as they nail down a practice plan for that day’s particular session. Listen in as the coaches discuss different drills they want to implement, points of emphasis, and strategies for getting the most out of each drill.

Popeyes

Popeyes is a drill that Coach Maker adopted from Coach John Beilein that really helps with shooting form and overall accuracy.

Two players work together at a basket. One at a time, players start out on the right block before eventually moving over to the left block. Simply, get the players shooting bank shots one after another. Make sure players are moving at a rapid pace. In other words, be quick without being in a hurry. Pay attention so that players don’t get lazy here. This is a drill where you want to be on move and going quick at all times.

Moneyball Shooting Drill

According to Coach Maker, the Moneyball is the best shooting drill that the team practices. Get players working in pairs and have them going all at once at different baskets around the gym. The drill features one rebounder and one shooter. Players will drive into the paint and then kick it out to their teammate for a shot. Shooters must look to change their depths at a 2 to 1 ratio. After about 90 seconds, move players to the left side of the court.

Rules: A regular shot = 1 point. A moneyball shot = 3 points. The first team to 50 points that touches the center court line is named the winner. As a consequence, every other team must run sprints.

Recap: This drill not only serves as a conditioning drill, but also focuses on getting players to deliver accurate passes, maintain good teamwork, and keep an emphasis on overall shooting. Meanwhile, it’s also very realistic and will pay dividends come game time.

The previous clips can be seen on Championship Productions’ DVD “All Access Williams College” featuring Mike Maker. To check out our entire All Access lineup, head over to our basketball library today.

Filed in Basketball Newsletter • Tags: All Access Basketball Practice, BasketballCoach Newsletter, Issue #43, Mike Maker, Shooting Drills, Williams College

3 Fundamental Shooting Drills Building On the Motion Offense

By adam.warner - Last updated: Tuesday, August 14, 2012

The motion offense is a highly-effective system particularly useful at teaching the fundamentals of lacrosse. Suitable for teams at every level of lacrosse, this distinct pass and move system makes each player a threat with the ball and maintains optimal field balance. Led by Limestone head men’s coach JB Clarke, the following drills all revolve around the motion offense and will serve as perfect practice additions for your lacrosse team.

Attack Shooting

This is a simple catch and shoot drill focusing on accurate passing, catching, cutting, and shooting. Start with two opposite lines behind the net. One player has the ball and starts the drill by cutting up towards the GLE as his drill partner comes around a cone placed about 7-10 yards in front of the net. The ball carrier dishes to the shooter, who gets off a quick shot on cage in front.

Try this drill with only attackmen to start practice. Look to get a ton of shots in a short amount of time with this drill and switch sides each time with the catching and shooting. Also, shooters should aim low at the net, point their off shoulder at the feed, and choke up on the stick when down low.

Tips: Remember to communicate early so your teammate knows where to throw the ball. Shooters, turn your head, pick a spot, and finish hard.

Spill It Scoring

This drill puts the motion offense in play. First, the ball starts up top with a middie and he will dodge hard down the alley before making a circle rollback. Next, try to square up in the top center and throw it to a teammate vacating out of the crease. for a high percentage shot. This is the motion that the offense takes when dodging down the alley.

It’s crucial to make a good hard initial dodge. One of the keys for the guy carrying the ball is that he turns and actually circles back. Otherwise, the defender will be right in his hands. When you roll away, you can get your hands free and this allows you some space from the defender and you can throw that feed.

Tips: Remember to run this drill in both directions and get a lot of realistic shots within the motion offense. Look to attack at the defense’s weakest, which is right after a dodge in this situation. You can add a hitch to the shot, too. This helps when defenders are flying out on the crease player and then you can hitch, step around them, and score.

1-on-1’s (in a 2-on-2 format)

This 1-on-1 drill puts the players in more realistic formats. Start by putting your crease guys in there as well so the drill takes on a 2-on-2 format. From wherever you start the 1-on-1, the dodger must go with his head up and can’t just go running through the crease. You can also put the players behind the net and on the wings to get a ton of reps from different angles. The crease guys have to anticipate what’s really going on.

Rules: The crease defenders are only allowed to slide but can’t double the ball. The dodger cannot throw the ball to the offensive guy in the crease until the defense slides.

Tips: The first part of any good motion offense is that you have to run by someone and force the defense to slide and that creates a 5-on-4 situation. This should be a main goal of what you do; creating unsettled situations behind the ball. Take the time to teach your players how to dodge, make good moves, and get in good positions to score.

The previous clips can be seen on Championship Productions’ DVD “Building Your Motion Offense” with JB Clarke. To check out more videos featuring offensive systems, head over to our lacrosse DVD library.

Filed in Lacrosse Newsletter • Tags: JB Clarke, Limestone Lacrosse, Motion Offense, Offensive Systems, Shooting Drills

All Access Oklahoma Women’s Basketball: Game-Like Shooting and Fast Break Drills

By adam.warner - Last updated: Wednesday, July 25, 2012

This week’s All Access pass takes you to Norman, Oklahoma where Oklahoma head women’s basketball coach Sherri Coale leads her squad through a variety of game-like shooting drills and fast break warm-ups. Feature drills include “Two-man Sideline Passing”, “USA Shooting”, and “Two-Ball Shooting.”

The behind-the-scenes session stems from the first few practices of the 2010-11 season. Most recently, the Sooners are coming off a 21-13 campaign in which the squad reached the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Primary Break – Two-Man Sideline Passing

In order to be effective on transition, players must be able to run, pass, catch, and dribble without making turnovers. This sideline passing drill incorporates chest and bounce passes as players (working in pairs) throw the ball back and forth down the length of the floor.

If a group drops the ball, they must go back and start over again. Midway through the drill, the middle line will start making a bounce pass. Remember that players should be running, not sliding, while passing and catching.

Tips: Do not travel. Stay wide and zip each pass. Talk to your teammate throughout.

Two-Ball Shooting

Start out with two lines of players, one up top and the other on the wing. The player up top has the ball and passes to a teammate on the left. The passer makes a v-cut and sets a screen for the player on the wing. The wing player cuts hard off of that pick, receives a pass from the feeder just inside the far elbow, and takes a jumper. Follow your shot and get the rebound. The screener will now cut up to the free-throw line and receive another pass from a coach for a shot.

It’s key that players communicate on the screen and then cut after it. The second cutter should cut opposite of the first cutter. Also, be sure to mix your cuts up. See below for options.

Note: Screeners have the option to make at least three different cuts here. Coach Coale incorporates this drill with her team to simulate their motion offense. It gives players a chance to fill, curl, or to backcut off of the downscreen.

USA Shooting

This is a terrific drill for working on post moves, entry passes, and shots off the pass. On each end of the floor, get a line on the wing and a post line under the basket. All post lines will go twice in a row. When feeding the post, always fake before you make. Be sure to deliver a good pass fake and then deliver the ball. Get the defender’s hands somewhere and make the pass, which should be quick and sharp.

Sequences

Feed the post and the post will score. The next player up will feed the post and the post will score. After that, we will relocate. Now the wing player feeds the post and then relocates high or low, the post kicks it back out, and there’s a shot. Go twice.

Next up, change it to feed and re-post. Make a feed down low, kick it out, have the post go two steps deeper, have a re-feed, and then get a score. After two reps, feed and take a handoff. The feeder runs a cut, high or low, takes the hand off and scores. Every post goes twice. In the last sequence, feed the post, make a fake handoff, and the then post scores opposite. Do this on the left side of the floor on both ends.

The previous clips can be seen on Championship Productions’ DVD “All Access Oklahoma Women’s Basketball Practice with Sherri Coale.” Be sure to check out the latest videos in our All Access lineup. New DVDs feature the following programs: Kentucky, Wichita State, and Iowa State.

Filed in Basketball Newsletter • Tags: All Access Basketball Practice, Issue #41, Motion Offense, Oklahoma Women's Basketball, Passing Drills, Sherri Coale, Shooting Drills

3 Noteworthy Shooting Drills To Implement In Practices This Season

By adam.warner - Last updated: Wednesday, July 25, 2012

This week’s Playbook Series features three impressive shooting drills that can make a difference at any level of basketball. First read through the step-by-step breakdown of the drill before seeing the play simulated live on the basketball court.

Got any effective team shooting drills to share with fellow coaches? Tell us all about them by commenting below or e-mailing us at info@championshipproductions.com.

Roller and Shooter Drill

Submitted by Steve Shepanski, Rush Henrietta Senior HS, Henrietta, NY

This drill works on shooting, closing out, and boxing out. The defender (X) starts on the low block opposite the shooter (O), who is placed at the elbow. X rolls the ball out to O and then sprints to the opposite low block and touches it with his or her hand.

At this point the ball is just arriving to O. X closes out on the shooter as O takes the shot. Player X boxes out, rebounds the ball, and moves to the block opposite of the original starting location. O moves to the high post on the other side of the key. Run the drill for at least 30 seconds and then have the players switch roles.

Devil Shooting Drill

Submitted by CJ Kin, Carey HS, Carey, Ohio

Setting Up: Form two lines outside the three-point arc with four players at each line. Players 2 and 3 and 5 and 6 each have a ball. Position two coaches in the lane with a blocking pad.

The Action: Player 1 cuts across the lane and posts up against the coach on the opposite low block. Stress being physical while getting wide and low while posting up. Player 1 needs to have his/her hands ready like a target and call for the ball. Player 5 only makes an entry pass to 1 when 1 calls for the ball. When 1 catches the ball, he/she executes a drop step to the baseline. Have the coach play them just as a defender would and use the pad to give contact on the shot.

The Finish: Player 1 takes the shot, rebounds, and passes to the line where the pass came from. As soon as Player 5 makes the pass, he sprints across the lane and posts up the coach. The same rules apply and the same movements continue until 1 is back in the starting position again. Look to incorporate five different post moves throughout this drill, such as a drop-step baseline, drop-step middle, reverse pivot with jumper, reerse pivot with shot fake dribble and step through, and one dribble middle and drop step.

Kentucky Shooting Drill

Submitted by Nick Evanich, Marlington HS, Alliance, OH

This drill requires seven balls, two chairs, and at least 9 players. The drill starts with the middle player passing to the wing. The wing catches the ball on the run and attacks a chair or cone at the opposite end of the court with a strong dribble. The wing uses a dribble move on the chair and pulls up for a 15-foot jumper.

Meanwhile, the middle player sprints down the floor and arches behind the wing player with the ball. The wing at the opposite end of the court passes to the original middle player for a jump shot. All the while, the wing that did not receive the pass, sprints to the other end of the floor and catches a pass from the opposite wing down there. As soon as those far end players make the pass, they now sprint down the court, and the middle player hits one of them with a pass to continue the drill.

The previous clips can be seen on Championship Productions’ DVD “30 Sizzling Team Shooting Drills” produced by Winning Hoops. Got some shooting drills to share? E-mail us at info@championshipproductions.com. Want to learn more drills and plays to fill your playbook? Simply head over to our basketball library by clicking here.

Filed in Basketball Newsletter • Tags: Issue #41, Practice Drills, Shooting Drills, Team Drills, Winning Hoops

Youth Basketball: 3 Competitive Shooting Drills That Make a Difference

By adam.warner - Last updated: Wednesday, July 11, 2012

The following shooting drills are designed to improve any player’s ability to score on the basketball court. Overseen by legendary basketball coach Kelvin Sampson, these drills have been used in high school, college, and NBA practices alike and are particularly effective at the youth level as well. In addition to focusing on shooting and layups, each drill places an emphasis on fundamental aspects like passing, communication, and spacing the floor/balance.

4 Minute, 15 Second Shooting Drill

Here’s a tremendous continuous drill perfect for warm-ups. Whether at the youth or high school level, you can do this drill for as long as you want. Start by sprinting down to the baseline 3-on-0. The middle player should start his or her pass to the left side before dishing to the right side player for a right-hand layup.

As the right side person attempts his/her layup, the left side person continues to the elbow area for a jumper. Meanwhile, the middle player gets a jumper as well. Altogether, there will be a layup and two jumpers. Remember, two players always remain on the opposite end as passers. They join the drill on the way back as outside players. The middle person continues on (down and back) and doesn’t serve as a baseline passer.

An NBA team should make 110 shots in 4:15. Every shot counts. College teams should make between 105-110. As for the youth level, let’s find out. Attention Coaches: After running this drill, let us know how many shots your players made in 4:15. Comment below and leave your tally to compare with other teams around the country!

Two-Minute Shooting Drill

Put two minutes on the clock. Start by having your players go to four baskets with two balls at each basket. This is a competitive shooting drill designed to get players a ton of shots in a short period of time. Best of all, players get to compete while doing it.

Shoot two balls at each basket and start off at the elbows. Each basket will go up against the other remaining baskets. Whichever basket has the most made baskets at the end of the two minutes wins the drill. If you lose, the entire losing team hits the baseline for sprints.

Remember: Shoot the ball, get the rebound, throw it to the person behind you, and then go to the same line you came from.

Magic Elbow Drill

The Magic Elbow Drill works on players curling into shots. One of the best ways to get someone a shot is to come down the floor on transition and a player screens down on the weakside of the floor, opening up a curl, catch, and shoot for a teammate.

Put two players or coaches just inside the elbows (to ensure players always go around the elbow when catching and shooting). Simply, a passer feeds a shooter curling around the elbow for a catch and shoot. Shooters should always get their own rebound. Once you pass, you turn into the shooter and sprint out immediately.

The previous clips can be seen on Championship Productions’ DVD ”Daily Dozen Shooting Drills for Youth Basketball” featuring Kelvin Sampson. To check out our entire collection of shooting-oriented DVDs, click here.