Eric Musselman's Favorite Practice Drills from the Pros

with Eric Musselman,
USC Head Basketball Coach;
University of Arkansas Head Basketball Coach from 2019 to 2024;
2023 Sweet Sixteen;
2x Elite Eight appearances (2021, 2022);
University of Nevada Head Coach from 2015 to 2019;
2018 Sweet Sixteen;
2018 MWC Coach of the Year;
3x MWC Regular Season Champions;
2017 MWC Tournament Champions;
2016 College basketball Invitational (CBI) Champions;
former Head Coach for the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings;
2012 NBA D-League Coach of the Year;
1996 USBL Coach of the Year;
played college basketball for San Diego

Coach Eric Musselman is known for his intensity, basketball IQ, and ability to improve players and teams. He was successful turning the University of Nevada into a high powered, 3-point shooting program, leading them to the Sweet Sixteen in 2018. Now at USC, following a successful five years with the University of Arkansas, Musselman will instill the same culture and turn USC into another success story. This video looks at some of the drills that Coach Musselman uses to develop his teams into hard-nosed defensive units and efficient shooters and ball handlers.

Musselman begins by discussing his practice drill philosophy and challenges coaches to be creative and keep players on their toes. He also emphasizes the importance of constantly learning as a coach so that you can keep your practices and shootarounds different to maintain player focus and always find new ways of delivering your core messages and philosophy.

Warm-Up Drills

Coach Musselman takes players through a series of ball handling moves in the full court as they criss-cross down the floor, four players each with a ball at once. Next, the warm-up progresses to include two balls, as each player alternates using a bounce pass or a chest pass as they slide down the court.

The Spurs' "One More Pass" drill is a great exercise to emphasize making the extra pass to get the defense into multiple rotations. Musselman adds variety to the drill by incorporating a post player, who gets involved with the extra passing. Every player rotates into each spot, and every player gets a shot in this drill. You'll see the different skills that can be worked on with the One Pass drill, like dribble penetration, post traps with kick-outs, and more.

Defensive Drills

Defensive drills are not only meant to work on defensive fundamentals, but to bring intensity to practice too. Drills that work on closeouts and pick & roll defense will bring a high amount of energy to your team.

The Czar Closeout drill will get your players talking and being active with their feet and hands while working on closeout technique. Musselman shows different things you can add to the drill to make sure that your athletes stay focused. The Pat Riley Closeout is a wrinkle you can add to your closeout technique within the same drill and create different ways of guarding shooters on the perimeter.

Shooting and Full Court Passing Drills

The 130 in 3 shooting drill will get your players hustling down the court to get multiple repetitions, as well as get them in shape for shooting shots while running and fatigued. Another drill that incorporates conditioning while preparing players to play fast is the Celtic Advance Pass drill. This drill is timed and uses a goal system for players to strive for as they learn how to make layups and good passes under pressure. Ultimately, players must learn how to avoid committing live ball turnovers, and Celtic Advance Pass focuses on protecting the ball.

Pick & Roll Defense Drills

Coach Musselman finishes off this video by showing two pick & roll defense drills. Warriors' Pick & Roll Defense is a great all-encompassing drill that gets players covering the pick & roll from multiple areas of the floor and at different angles. This is a must-have drill that not only works on coverages on the ball handler and screener, but also help side rotations. The Miami Drill covers a trend today's offenses are utilizing: going through the elbow to run offense. You'll see how Coach Musselman defends these popular actions and learn how to teach your own players to cover them.

If you want more intensity in your practice but feel cut short for time, this is the video to get. Coach Musselman's drills can be used every day and the energy and skill development combined in these drills will get your team to another level while teaching them focus and accountability!

59 minutes. 2020.