Proven Plan For PURPOSEFUL SKILL-DEVELOPMENT (with Warm-Ups & Practice Drills!)

with Casey Kaufman, Malone University Head Men's Basketball Coach;
NCAA Tournament Appearance (2021);
Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Tournament Championship (2021);
6 G-MAC Tournament Appearances (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022);
17 Kaufman players have been named as G-MAC All-Conference Selections (9 First Team);
15 Kaufman players have earned G-MAC Academic All-Conference Selections;

Skill development is key to any program’s success. What you do in these key basketball training sessions is paramount to the development of your players. The more focused this type of work is, the more results you will see with player improvement and in-game performance. 

In this highly valuable video presentation, Casey Kaufman takes viewers through a skill development practice – covering key on-the-court skills through work demonstrated in Warm-Up Drills, Passing Drills and Pivot Drills.

Player Development Strategies, Warmup Drills

To open this action-packed video, Coach Kaufman begins with a fascinating discussion on the importance of covering the details as it pertains to player development and evaluation. By breaking everything down into measurable metrics, Kaufman explains that coaches can be more purposeful in their skill sessions with players. Kaufman also explains why an understanding of which skills have the biggest impact in the game will allow players to see why each drill matters. Viewers are also given the details of the skills beyond the workout, such as the type of pass that should be made during a shooting drill. Even though a drill might be for shooting, Kaufman explains why coaches should always discuss and emphasize footwork and passing skills.

Kaufman shows off the ‘Malone Warmup,’ which is what he takes his players through on a typical practice or skill workout and consists of critical emphasis and repetitions of form shooting – both off-the-catch and off-the-dribble and making rhythm decisions, which he describes as skills that need to be made on the fly and in the moment.

Passing and Pivoting Drills

Coach Kaufman then provides viewers with an excellent two-line passing progression drill – which is a fun and unique way to get players practicing the type of passes they will need to successfully execute any offense in games. Next, Kaufman shines the spotlight on a Pivot Progression Drill which is great to work on all types of pivots inside the paint and stresses the importance of finishing off two feet on any drive. The different pivots worked in this drill each have a unique name based on the type of pivot that is utilized. For example, players practice ‘Kobe Pivots’ and ‘Rondo Pivot’ with different finishes at the rim. Staying with the finishes and pivots that are being practiced, Kaufman shows viewers how to drive to a post-up. From there, he explains how any combination of pivots can be used.

To finish up this valuable on-the-court presentation, Kaufman shows how each of these skills fit into the large picture of a team’s offense. He also shows how to incorporate a second cutter. As he demonstrates in the video, after players drive to a two-foot stop, a second cutter cuts backdoor to receive a pass and from there, works on different finishes.

This video is a must-watch for all coaches who are looking to sharpen and hone their skill-development workouts. Incorporating the skills shown in Kaufman’s presentation is sure to improve any offense you choose to run! 

Coach Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars.‘Great video! The pivot progression section is especially awesome and is something I will use in my own practices right away!’

36 minutes. 2022.