The one-on-one section will help players learn how to cope with a one-on-one situation from both an attacking and defending point of view.
Shoot the Banker
The aim is to improve offensive moves, and the bank shot. Player 1 starts near the corner and is offensive. Player 2 is defensive and stands near player 1. Player 2 is in possession of the ball.
Player 2 passes the ball to player 1, who in turn catches the ball, and dribbles towards the basket. When player 1 feels contact from player 2, player 1 spins back, pivots off his right foot and shoots a bank shot.
Swap roles and run the drill again.
Progressions:
- Use a weaker arm for the shot and dribble.
Coaching Points
- A bank shot is normally taken from a tight angle as a bank shot hits the backboard before going into the basket.
Hook, Line, and Sinker
The aim is to improve offensive moves, hook shots, and defensive tracking. Player 1 begins with the ball and is offensive. Player 2 is defensive, and both players start to the left of the key.
Player 1 dribbles down the lane, with player 2 on the inside (closest to the basket). When player 1 gets near the basket they stop quickly, and pivot off their right foot (furthest from the basket), allowing player 2 to run slightly past them. Player 1 then dribbles at the basket and attempts a hook shot.
Swap roles and run the drill again.
Progressions:
- Use a weaker arm for the shot and dribble.
Coaching Points
- When attempting the hook shot have the shooting hand underneath the ball, and the non-shooting hand behind the ball, hold the ball at chest height and keep the knees slightly bent.
- Step and pivot in towards the basket, extend the arm, flex the wrist and fingers and release the ball at the highest point.
Fake it
The aim is to improve offensive fakes and shooting. Player 1 starts on the offense at the top of the 3-point line. Player 2 is the defender and starts in possession of the ball, underneath the basket.
Player 2 passes the ball to player 1 and runs past player 1 with a hand up in an attempt to block a shot. As Player 2 runs past, player 1 should fake the shot, take a dribble to one side or the other and attempt a jump shot.
Swap roles and run the drill again.
Progressions:
- Use a weaker arm for the shot and dribble.
- Defenders can stop in front of player 1, and make player 1 beat them to score.
Coaching Points
- When performing the jump shot it is vital to keep your eyes on the target, with feet shoulder-width apart, and knees slightly bent.
- The non-shooting hand should be under the ball and the shooting hand at the back of the ball, with the elbow, tucked in.
- The ball should be held between the ear and shoulder.
- The next phase would be to jump in the air by extending the legs.
- The back, shoulders, and elbow, should also be extended, then flex the wrist, and fingers forwards and release the ball at the highest point.
- After release fingers should be pointed at the target, with the palm facing down.
- The player jumps before releasing the ball, to get closer to the basket, or avoid an opposing player’s block.
Hands Tell the Story
The aim is to improve the offensive reading of the game and defensive positions. Pick a partner, player 1 is the one on the offense, and player 2 is the defender. Player 1 starts with the ball at the free-throw line, and player 2 stands in the lower half of the free-throw circle and changes their defensive position, from both hands down, to one hand up, or the other hand up.
If the defender keeps both hands down then player 1 should react to this and execute a jump shot, or one-hand set shot.
If the defender puts one hand up, player 1 should react correctly to this and dribble to the side of the raised hand.
Swap roles and repeat the drill.
Progressions:
- Use a weaker arm for the shot and dribble.
- Bring in advance, and retreat steps for the defender after the initial move by the offensive player.
Coaching Points
- When performing the one-hand set shot it is vital to keep your eyes on the target, with feet shoulder-width apart, and knees slightly bent.
- The non-shooting hand should be under the ball and the shooting hand at the back of the ball, with the elbow, tucked in.
- The ball should be held between the ear and shoulder.
- The next phase would be to extend the legs, back, shoulders, and elbow, then flex the wrist, and fingers forwards and release the ball at the highest point.
- After release fingers should be pointed at the target, with the palm facing down.
- The jump shot is much the same as the one-hand set shot, except the player has to jump before releasing the ball, to get closer to the basket, or avoid an opposing player’s block.
- Advance step – Push off the back foot while taking a step forward with the other foot, and slide the back foot forward.
- To maintain balance feet should stay shoulder-width apart.
- Retreat step – Push off the front foot, take a step back with the other foot, and slide the front foot back.
On The Spot
The aim is to improve both offensive and defensive play. Player 1 starts in the lower half of the free throw circle. Player 2 starts with the ball underneath the basket. Player 2 passes the ball to player 1 and then moves towards player 1 and takes up a strong defensive position.
Once player 2 is in position player 1 can then use fakes and pivots in an attempt to score or draw a foul. Player 1 must have at least 1 foot inside the lower half of the free-throw circle at all times. 1 point is scored for each successful basket. If player 1 gets fouled but still makes the shot they get 1 free throw if they get fouled and miss the shot they get 2 free throws.
Progressions:
- Use a weaker arm for the shot.
- Set a time limit on the shot.
Coaching Points
- Do not dribble the ball.
- Use a variety of moves and fakes to make room for a shot.
Shiver 2 Deliver
The aim is to improve both offensive and defensive play. Player 1 starts with the ball in the mid-court area and player 2 at the top of the key. Player 1 dribbles the ball towards player 2. Player 1 stops still, just in front of player 2, but continues to dribble the ball.
Player 1 then starts a full-body shiver whilst staying on the spot. This is supposed to knock the defensive player off balance and not on their toes. Once this is achieved player 1 makes a quick dart for the basket and attempts a layup.
Progressions:
- Use a weaker arm for the dribble and shot.
- Think of other ways to unbalance the defender.
Coaching Points
- When attempting the layup make sure the non-shooting hand is under the ball, and the shooting hand is on top.
- Keep the elbow in, lift the shooting knee, jump straight up off the other leg, extend your arms, and release the ball at the highest point.
10 Point Win
The aim is to improve both offensive and defensive play. 10 cones are placed around the 3-point line. Player 1 starts underneath the basket, in possession of the ball. Player 2 starts at the first cone closest to the corner.
Player 1 passes the ball to player 2. Player 2 catches the ball and takes up the triple threat position. After player 1 has released the ball they run towards player 2, and touch player 2’s hip, this starts the one-on-one duel. Play then continues until player 2 scores, or player 1 collects a rebound or steals, or a foul is committed. Whichever player is fouled gets to keep the ball. When a basket is scored play moves to the next cone. Each basket scored counts as 1 point. The first player to 10 points wins the game.
Progressions:
- Only allow the offensive player 3 dribbles.
- Introduce a static player for the offensive player to pass to.
- Take away the touch of the hip, so player 2 can move as soon as the ball is caught.
Coaching Points
- In a strong defensive position, a player would have a wide base and knees slightly bent with arms out in front and palms facing forward towards the opposing player or the ball.
- Triple threat position – This gives the offensive player the option of shooting, passing, or dribbling.
- In this position, the player should be able to see the basket and the defender.
- They should be standing with their knees flexed, feet shoulder-width apart, with one slightly in front of the other, and weight on the back (pivot) foot.
- The ball should be up at chest height, with one hand behind it and the other on the side of it.
- Make sure the offensive player drives at the defender’s front foot.
4 Meter Attack
The aim is to improve both offensive and defensive play. Player 1 starts underneath the basket, in possession of the ball. Player 2 stands between the basket and the baseline. Player 1 dribbles the ball around 4 meters away from the basket in any direction and places the ball down on the court.
Player 1 then becomes a defender and takes up a strong defensive stance.
Player 2 follows player 1 and picks up the loose ball, and takes up the triple threat position. A one-on-one game then takes place, the game stops when either player 2 scores and player 1 stops player 2 scorings. Reverse roles and repeat the drill but take the ball to a different spot each time.
Progressions:
- Only allow the offensive player 3 dribbles.
- Introduce ball fakes and shot fakes.
- Move closer to or further from the basket
Coaching Points
- In a strong defensive position, a player would have a wide base and knees slightly bent with arms out in front and palms facing forward towards the opposing player or the ball.
- Triple threat position – This gives the offensive player the option of shooting, passing, or dribbling. In this position, the player should be able to see the basket and the defender.
- They should be standing with their knees flexed, feet shoulder-width apart, with one slightly in front of the other, and weight on the back (pivot) foot.
- The ball should be up at chest height, with one hand behind it and the other on the side of it.
- Make sure the offensive player drives at the defender’s front foot.
