Basketball Drills

David Martinez, Head Boys Basketball Coach, Atascocita HS, TX

This video is a segment from one of the 156 Videos in Glazier Drive Basketball.  Explore coaching clinic replays, practice plans, skill development videos, and more.  Click here to see all that’s included.

OVERVIEW

This video covers a series of progressive basketball drills focused on offensive reads, closeout defense, and decision-making. The drills are designed to isolate specific skills before putting players in full 5-on-5 situations.

TWO-ON-ONE CLOSEOUT DRILL

Players work on reading closeouts from a baseline catch-and-shoot setup. The offensive player receiving the pass must decide whether to shoot off the closeout or make one more pass to a shooter. The emphasis is on shooters being ready before the catch — down, locked in, and not rushing the shot.

DHO (DRIBBLE HAND-OFF) TWO-ON-TWO

The team runs two-on-two actions built around dribble hand-offs. If the defender goes under the screen, the ball handler turns and shoots. This mirrors actions used heavily in their actual offense, with both offense and defense learning to react in real time.

POINT GUARD READ DRILL (ADVANTAGE SITUATIONS)

This is a key teaching segment. A point guard starts with a defender trailing behind them, forcing them to read the second line of defense — not the on-ball defender. The coaching point stressed repeatedly: read the back line, make the simple play, and get the ball out quickly. A freshman is highlighted learning to jump stop, play off two feet, make the pass, and relocate to space.

FOUR-ON-FOUR ADVANTAGE DRILL

The same concept is expanded with more bodies and flying closeouts. A sophomore is corrected for repeatedly shooting a corner shot when a better open shot was available. The key lesson: hunt the better shot — just because you’re open doesn’t mean it’s the right play.

KEY COACHING TAKEAWAYS

• Isolating reads in small-group drills allows coaches to see and correct mistakes faster than in 5-on-5
• Spending just 5–10 minutes daily on situational drills pays dividends in game decision-making
• In a five-out offense, players must know when to attack the rim vs. when to kick it out
• Always prioritize the better shot over the quick shot

Justin Leith, Head Girls’ Basketball Coach, Bullis School, MD

This video is a segment from one of the 156 Videos in Glazier Drive Basketball.  Explore coaching clinic replays, practice plans, skill development videos, and more.  Click here to see all that’s included.

Full video on Glazier Drive:   Building Shooting & Skill Work into Your Practice Plan

KENTUCKY THREE-POINT SHOOTING DRILL (130 MAKES)

The team runs a five-minute three-point shooting drill with a goal of 130 team makes. Players start staggered to avoid crowding the same basket, shoot, get their own rebounds, and rotate. The drill emphasizes transition threes and requires genuine focus to hit the target. If the team falls short of the goal, they run as a consequence. The coach notes the goal is attainable but demands consistent effort — someone is always going to be shooting well, so there’s no excuse for the whole team to be off.

FULL-COURT DRIVING AND KICK DRILL

Players line up on the baseline on both sides of the court. The drill involves a player receiving a pass at half court (via a hand slap), executing a shot fake, then kicking the ball out to a corner shooter. A key coaching point is that the corner player must fade to the corner on the shot fake — staying even with the ball and the dribble penetration — not drifting too early or too late. The drill runs two to three minutes per side, with a team goal of around 12 makes for a two-minute block. Though the volume of shots isn’t high, it builds habits around full-court catching, driving, and kicking — all critical to game success.

COACHING TAKEAWAYS

Both drills work well early in practice as conditioning tools while also developing game-specific skills. The driving and kick drill can be used to emphasize different things depending on the focus of the day, and it doubles as a way to work on defensive positioning. Setting team goals with consequences keeps players dialed in and creates a competitive, purposeful practice environment.

In this video San Antonio Spurs  Associate Head Coach  Sean Sweeney demonstrates a simple drill to work on finishing thru contact.

PLAYING THROUGH CONTACT IS ESSENTIAL FOR OFFENSIVE SUCCESS
The video highlights the importance of teaching basketball players—especially offensive ones—how to maintain control and strength while playing through contact. While flashy moves have become popular, true scoring consistency comes from being able to finish plays after absorbing physical defense, a skill that becomes especially critical during postseason competition.

GAME-LIKE DRILLS TO BUILD REALISTIC STRENGTH AND CONTROL
The coach outlines a detailed drill using coaches with pads to simulate in-game contact. Players practice absorbing bumps while maintaining balance and protecting the ball. The setup includes specific footwork techniques such as reverse pivots, rip-throughs below the knees, and long, powerful strides to help players adjust to defensive pressure naturally.

FOOTWORK AND BALANCE UNDER PRESSURE
The drill teaches players to maintain a low, balanced base and stay strong on two feet. Reverse pivots are emphasized to control body positioning and prevent defenders from forcing turnovers. This approach helps players stay grounded, even when absorbing hits, leading to more efficient and confident finishes near the rim.

PROTECTING THE BALL WITH BODY POSITIONING
A major focus is on ripping the ball low—below the knees—to keep it away from defenders’ reach. This movement naturally positions the player’s shoulder against the defender’s hip, giving them leverage and space to finish. The technique trains players to use their body intelligently, not just their hands, to protect the ball.

STRONG, LONG STRIDES FOR POWERFUL FINISHES
Players are trained to take one deliberate, long step to absorb contact while maintaining momentum. This “bump-bump-finish” rhythm helps prevent disruption from defenders and ensures powerful, controlled finishes at the basket. Long strides also help maintain forward drive through defensive resistance.

ONE-DRIBBLE FINISHES TO BUILD DECISIVENESS
The drill prioritizes one-dribble finishes, forcing players to make quick, assertive moves toward the basket. This builds faster decision-making, minimizes turnovers, and enhances offensive tempo, especially when defenses close gaps quickly.

OFFSEASON DEVELOPMENT FOR YOUNG PLAYERS
The coach stresses the offseason as the ideal time to develop these foundational skills. Younger players can focus on strength, balance, and body control without the pressures of competition. These fundamentals prepare them to handle physical contact and excel at higher levels of play.

SUMMARY
The video delivers a complete framework for developing players who can thrive under contact. By combining realistic physical drills, precise footwork, and intelligent body mechanics, coaches can help athletes build the confidence and toughness necessary to score effectively in high-pressure, physical game situations.

This clip was taken from a recent coaching clinic. If you would like access to the full presentation click the link:Insights on Transition, Isolation & Modern Offensive Principles

A short video from my friends at Dr. Dish Basketball.

Allie Ziebell, Uconn.

In this challenge, you’ll be shooting from five spots: corner, wing, top, wing, corner. Y

You need to make 10 shots from each spot before moving on.

The goal is to finish as fast as possible.

This challenge helps you stay consistent, shoot under pressure, and to compete against yourself. So that’s my challenge to you. See you on

Click the play arrow to view this YouTube video.

In this video Coach Matt Painter demonstrates one method he uses to solve the problem of inbounding vs pressure.

SETUP AND POSITIONS
The drill begins with five offensive players and five defenders. Positions are assigned as follows:

1 and 2 start near the inbound area.

3 is positioned on the wing.

4 is at the top of the key.

5 starts low on one of the blocks.
Defenders match up accordingly.

L-CUTTING AND ANGLE CREATION
Coach Painter emphasizes teaching players how to create effective angles when cutting instead of simply dancing to get open.
Players must avoid face-guarding situations by stepping over the defender’s foot to establish leverage and generate a clean passing lane. The goal is to create a strong angle for the inbounder to make a safe pass.

TWO CLEAR SPRINT CUT CONCEPT
This action is called “Two Clear Sprint Cut.”

The first cutter moves to clear space.

The second player (the target)—the one intended to receive the ball—uses the angle created by stepping over the defender’s foot.

The cutter gives a target hand to signal readiness for the pass.
The movement opens up spacing and eliminates congestion on the strong side.

SPACING AND DECISION-MAKING
Proper spacing is essential—offensive players must pull defenders away from the ball side. The 4-man (high post) plays an important role in maintaining this spacing, especially against pressing defenses.
If the initial pass is unavailable, the cutter sprints to the basket immediately after the cut, creating a second scoring opportunity or forcing defensive help.

KEY COACHING POINTS

Always create angles before cutting.

Step over the defender’s foot to gain positioning.

Use the target hand for the pass.

Maintain spacing to avoid help defense.

Transition from cut to sprint to the rim if the ball isn’t received.

This drill trains players to execute sharp, purposeful cuts, enhance passing angles, and apply movement principles that are effective against pressure defenses.

This clip is taken from Coach Painter’s clinic presentation. For more information about how to gain access to the full presentation, click the following link: Press Offense Solutions to Handle Pressure When the Game’s on the Line