Mormile's Youth Drills
DRILLS FOR YOUTH BASKETBALL COACHES
OBJECTIVES:
• To improve skill levels by emphasizing the fundamentals
• To maintain focus and decrease distraction by keeping drills short and concise
• To build passion for the sport by making it challenging and fun, which will lead players to want to improve on their own
DRILLS :
Use three to seven minutes per drill for each of the following:
• T Defensive Slides
DESCRIPTION: Line under one basket – 1st player in line sprints to the foul line, crouches down & slaps the floor w/ two hands and yells “Defense!” then slides to the one sideline, then all the way back to the other sideline, then back again to the foul line (forms a T), where the player backpedals to the end of the line. The next player in line goes when the player before him yells “Defense!” and begins his slide to the opposite direction. Note – more than one basket may be used. Teaching points: Defensive stance (butt down, hands wide, active hands), sliding technique (don’t cross your feet), backpedal technique, communication among teammates on defense
Angle layups
DESCRIPTION: One line under the basket/two balls on the line – 1st player dribbles to the foul line then hooks around the elbow and continues the dribble and makes a layup, then gives the ball to the next person in line. Next person goes when the player before him reaches the foul line. When the 1st person in line goes for his second attempt he hooks around the opposite elbow. Note – more than one basket may be used.
Teaching points: Layup footwork/technique, correct 45 degree angle on layups, use of opposite hand on layups when appropriate
Ballhandling series
DESCRIPTION: Five lines, one ball per line. The five at the beginning of the line will perform each of the following dribbling skills from baseline to baseline:
1. Weak hand
2. Strong hand
3. Change of direction
4. Hesitation (Slow up then blow by the defender with the dribble)
5. Spin (Bring the ball around and change hands AFTER the spin)
Players go to the end of the line after one turn. They go again when their turn comes. Two or three turns per dribbling skill is recommended. Note - an advanced dribbling skill is the two-ball dribble.
Teaching points: Dribbling with the fingertips, not the palms, heads up, butts down, efficiency/low mistakes is better than going fast, this is not a race!
Pass & Chase
DESCRIPTION: Two lines, one under each basket. Four passers, one on each of the outlet spots (foul line extended to the sideline). With a ball the two players at the front of each line passes the ball to the first passer, then receives a return pass. Then the players pass the ball to the next passer and receive a return pass. The player then passes the ball to the next player in line and goes to the end of the line. Insert new passers every couple of minutes. Note – once the players get good at this the layup can be added after the second return pass. Also – both chest passes and bounce passes may be used.
Teaching points: Running & passing, running & catching, making lead passes, outlet passing to the outlet spots to begin the break.
Five spot shooting
DESCRIPTION: One line, 5-7 players per line, at least one basket. The five spots are both corners, both elbows, and the top middle (foul line). The spots should be about 10’ to 15’ from the basket, depending on the ability level of the players (closer is better to build form & confidence). The first spot is the left corner. One player goes under the basket to rebound. Shooter steps into the catch and then shoots. Rebounder grabs rebound & passes to the next in line & then goes to the end of the line. Shooter becomes the rebounder. The entire line moves to the next spot (left elbow, etc.) when seven shots are made. Note – two additional spots can be added on both wings (in between the corner & elbow).
Teaching points: Making a good pass, staying low & stepping one-two (left foot/right foot for a righty shooter) into the catch, shooting technique (fingertips, rotation, follow-thru, arc, hold follow-thru), following your shot.
Backboard box out drill
DESCRIPTION: Two lines on the backboard, one on each side of the rim. The first two in line are in the drill. The first player in each line has a ball and tosses it off the backboard. The first in line boxes out the second in line then grabs the rebound. He then steps away from the rim & throws a soccer outlet pass to the coach standing on the outlet spot (foul line extended – sideline). Rebounder goes to the end of the line, next two move up in line & go.
Teaching points: Box out technique (Butt down, hands up, make good contact), keep ball above head after the rebound, outlet pass technique (similar to a soccer throw-in).
3 on 2 fast break drill
DESCRIPTION: On the full court, two players back on defense, one on the foul line middle, one in front of the rim. Three lines wide on the other baseline. Ball in the middle line. The middle player leads the fast break, dribbling hard up to the foul line. Offense looks to score with as few passes as possible. Defense looks to force multiple passes. When the turn is over, the last two on offense to touch the ball become the defense & the other three in the drill run back to the end of the lines.
Note – after the 3 on 2 portion a coach can easily add a 2 on 1 fast break component going back to the original basket.
Teaching points: The two outside lines on the break stay wide and banana cut to the basket, ballhandling efficiency, last pass bounce pass before the layup. On defense, two man technique defending the break (bottom man covers 1st pass, top man straight line drop to the rim). Defenders communicate, cut off passing lanes, & force passes.
CONCLUSION: The drills mentioned will improve the skill level of your players. They will enjoy them which will help you keep control of your team. You will teach the players how they can improve their skills which will lead the players to be passionate about basketball to do so on their own! The drills can take anywhere from a half hour to forty minutes to complete – when you are done with them have your team scrimmage. Do not get bogged down on teaching specific plays or elaborate zone defenses that on the short term help you win but on the long term do not develop the skills of the players. The drills are designed for grades three to ten – good luck!
Coach Tony Mormile
HV Varsity Basketball Coach