Basketball Drills

San Antonio Spurs Associate Head Coach Sean Sweeney

A demonstration of a simple drill to work on finishing through 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.

This skill 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.

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

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.

 
In the video below Coach Keith Urgo from Head Coach at Gonzaga College High School (Washington, D.C.) the former Head Coach at Fordham University Head Coach 92023 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year) demonstates what he calls the 4 Spot Passing Drill.

In this drill players will drive from the elbow and kick to the ballside corner man.

That player will then drive to the basket and stop on two feet and pivot aggressively while keeping his eyes on the rim at all times. He will then pass to the oppososite elbow.

That player will then drive the lane line and kick to the corner. The corner man will then drive to the paint, stop on two feet pivot and pass to the opposite elbow.

This clip was taken from Coach Urgo’s instructional DVD. For more information about that DVD Click Here

The YouTube video below has audio so please make sure that your volume is turned up.

In this video Coach John Ashworth demonstrates three defensive drills that he utilizes in his program.

While you might have different defensive philosophies the basic structure of these drill will be helpful in teaching your priniciples.

The set-up for the first drill has 5 players or coaches stationed around the perimeter (Point, wings and corners).

The defensive players start in the lane and close out hard to the coach with their hands high. They turn and blockout and then simulate getting the rebound. Players will then close out to the next position to their right. One rotation will give each player 5 reps.

In the second drill coaches are placed at the elbows and the players close out to the coach and then simulate a quick defensive slide  to prevent a quick drive tgo the basket.

In the third drill (Man in the Middle). He has two offensive players facing each other the defensive player is guarding one of them. The defensive players is working hard to earn a deflection without fouling. The offensive players is working on passing under pressure and not turning the ball over. The offensive player is not allowed to throw over the top. Once the pass is completed the offensive player follows his pass and defends the opposite offensive player.

These drills are just a few examples of the many great drills that you can view on Coach Aswworth’s YouTube Channel. Click Here to see all of Coach Asworth’s great videos

The video below as audio so please make sure your volume is turned up.

In the video below Coach Brad Underwood shares a unique Sideline Out of Bounds Play.

Being prepared for every type of situation is critical to your success as a coach.

This play is designed to help you get the ball in play from a sideline inbound situation.

Great to use at the end of the game when the opposition is denying the inbound pass.

The clip is taken from Coach Underwood’s DVD called Winning the Margins: Special Situations and Effort-Based Coaching with Brad Underwood!

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