Nathan Davis: My Favorite Drills for Basketball Practice

with Nathan Davis,
Bucknell University Head Coach from 2015 to 2023;
2x Patriot League Coach of the Year ('16, '17);
4x Patriot League regular season champs ('16-'19);
2x Patriot League Tournament champs ('17, '18);
former Randolph-Macon College Head Coach;
2x ODAC Coach of the Year ('14, '15);
3x ODAC regular season champs ('11, '14, '15);
3x ODAC Tournament champs ('11, '13, '15)

Coach Nathan Davis delivers the daily drills he finds to be the most vital to overall team success. In this video, Coach Davis focuses on both ends of the floor, with more of a focus on the defensive end. Each segment has strong content you can take back to your program and implement this season.

Defensive Drills

Davis includes many drills that will build 1-on-1 defensive skills, while at the same time, improve team defensive slides and rotations. You'll see exercises that work on baseline drive rotations, slot drive rotations, strong side defensive ball screens and cross screens, defending screens off the ball, and more.

A few of Coach Davis' highlighted drills include a ball screen sequence that covers every way he wants his athletes to cover ball screens, plus Cougar Defense and Perfect Defense, which work on stopping dribble penetration and playing a full 30 second possession.

Offensive Drills

All of Davis' offensive drills focus on taking care of the basketball in order to limit turnovers. He concludes with the competitive 50 Point Game, which rewards teams with points for immediate results and provides players with plenty of game speed reps. It is one of Coach Davis' go-to team drills to stress shot quality, while limiting turnovers.

This video from Coach Davis is loaded with drills for both sides of the ball. Any coach who wants to improve their offense and defense would benefit from adding this video to their collection.

39 minutes. 2022.