1. DRIVEWAY HOOPS SKILLS AND DRILLS FOR INDIVIDUAL IMPROVEMENT

2. The idea of winning basketball games often comes down to 2 simple concepts: Lay-ups and Free Throws. A Lay-up is the highest percentage shot in basketball, uncontested lay-ups are even higher. Many factors allow for those high percentage shots, including fundamental discipline and proper offensive execution. The team that gives themselves the most lay-up opportunities, gives themselves the best chance to win the game. Therefore, the lay-up could arguably be the most important shot in basketball. Keep your eyes focused on the target. Jump off the foot opposite of the shooting hand Extend your arm and release the ball that the peak of your jump Always use the backboard; Lay the ball softly Learn to shoot lay-ups with either hand Fundamentals of the Lay-up Teaching Points: The Lay-up Teaching Points: Power Lay-up Power lay-ups are used when you are surrounded by defenders. Jump stop and go off of two feet to avoid an offensive foul. Be strong with the ball- “Chin it” Maintain good balance by squaring your shoulders to the basket Keep your knees bent for jumping power. Try to draw the contact with a shot fake, instead of avoiding contact. Drills for the Lay-up Mikan Drill: –Rotate side to side using left and right hands, while keeping the ball above your eyes. –Jump off of one foot –Try to get a rhythm going –Make 20 lay-ups or do for 30 seconds X-out Lay-ups : –Begin at the Right elbow facing the basket. –Dribble with right hand and shoot a right handed lay-up –Grab the ball out of the net and dribble to the elbow –Dribble with the left hand and shoot a left handed lay-up –Grab the rebound and repeat. –Make 10 lay-ups, then shoot 2 free throws –This drill and be done with power lay-ups also.

3. The most important fundamental in basketball is the dribble. By becoming a good ball-handler, it will allow for you to establish a solid foundation for becoming a great basketball player. You can be a great shooter, but if you can’t dribble the basketball, how do you expect to create a shot? If you can’t dribble, how do you expect to be able to break pressure or make a pass to an open teammate. Ball-handling is also the easiest skill to practice because all you need is a ball and a desire to get better! Dribbling warm-up should be done as the first thing when you walk into the gym. Get in a daily routine if possible. You will get better if you make it a habit. Start out slow. But, you must push yourself as you practice more and more. Keep head up; Use finger tips for control- not your palm Ball should stay below the waist Use off hand to protect the ball Fundamentals of Ball-Handling Teaching Points: Ball-Handling Ball-Handling Routine Each drill should be done for 10-15 seconds each. This routine can be done in less than 10 minutes. Phase 1: Warm-up –Finger tip dribbles –Wrap Arounds (head, waist, ankles, corkscrew) –Leg Wrap Around (Left and Right ankles) –Figure 8 Wrap Around Phase 2: Stationary Dribbling –Wrap Around dribbles (Left and Right ankles) –Figure 8 dribble Wrap Around –Push-Pull dribbles (Left and Right sides; In-front ) Phase 3: Advanced Dribbling –Dribble Sit-ups –Walking Scissors (with or without dribbling) –2-ball Dribble Routine 2 ball dribbling at same time (stationary or moving) 2 ball alternate dribbling (stationary or moving) The Chair Drill Dribble Series Player starts behind half court line, dribbling full speed at a chair or obstacle located on the wing. Player will execute the following 1 on 1 move and go in for a lay-up or jump shot: –Hesitation –In & Out –Cross-over –Between the Legs –Escape dribble with a cross-over Drill should be ran 2 times each from both Right and Left wings.

4. “Practice makes perfect”…that’s what is required to become a great shooter. First, you must acquire the proper technique and fundamentals of shooting. Then, you must practice “game shots at game speed from game spots.” Use the BEEF concept: Balance, Eyes, Elbow, Follow through Ball should sit on the pads of your fingers, not in the palm Primary fingers are pointer, middle and thumb Wrist is flexed back Opposite hand is your “guide” hand to control the ball Elbow bent 90 degrees and pointing towards target Knees should be bent- always receive the pass with your knees bent Focus on your target- don’t watch the flight of the ball Follow through- fingertips pointed down Good players learn to shoot off the pass and off the dribble Shooting off the dribble: jump stop to square your feet and shoulders; stop your momentum Shooting off the pass: catch the ball on your inside foot with knees bent to step into your shot. Fundamentals of Shooting Teaching Points: Shooting Fundamentals Form Shooting Use only one hand and focus on technique (elbow straight, release, follow-thru…); stand approx 2-3 ft. under the rim. 10 from each spot (right side, center, left side) Spin & Catch Jumper Series Catch & Shoot: –Spin, catch and shoot (no dribbles); approx. 10-15 ft. range –*** Be sure to square your shoulders and feet to the basket before shooting, this should be done by using a jump stop. –10 from each spot (short corners, left elbow, right elbow) One Bounce –Spin & catch with one dribble; 5 shots from left and right wings; 10-15 ft. range Spin, catch & shot fake – body stays low, ball comes above the eyes Spin, catch, Jab & Go Spin, catch & rip thru “Around the World” Shoot 5 shots from each of the 5 spots (left corner, left wing, top of key, right wing, right corner) –Optional – shoot 3-pt. shot instead of mid-range jumpers Pull-up Jumpers: same as above, but with one dribble pull-up from each of the five spots

5. Just like the offensive line in football is considered to be the “trenches”, low post play is also considered to be the “trenches” in basketball. It requires great fundamental discipline, hard work and toughness be a great post player. However, post play is not just for big men. Guards that are able to score in the post area are much more difficult to defend. Work hard to get open by positioning yourself above the block. This allows an offensive move to both the baseline side and the middle. Make yourself “wide” – keep your body down and use your butt to keep defenders behind you. Use one forearm to fend off defender and the other hand as a target for the passer. On the pass, “step to the bal” and catch with 2 hands. On the catch, “chin the ball” to your chest with elbows out. Read how the defense is playing you and execute the proper move. Post Fundamentals Teaching Points: Post Fundamentals Low Post Moves Drop Step Baseline – Power Lay-up –Defender is playing you on the top side –On the catch, step toward the basket with the foot closest to the baseline and keep the defender on your back. –Use a power dribble and jump off of two feet for the power lay-up. –Consider using a ball fake to get the defender in the air Drop Step Middle – Jump Hook –Defender is playing on the bottom side –On the catch, step into the lane with the top foot and keep the defender on your back –Point the non-shooting shoulder at the rim and jump off of both feet for the jump hook –It is important to keep your body between the ball and the defender Up & Under Move –Defender is playing bottom side –Step into lane and use a shot fake –When the defender jumps, step through with the ball side foot. –Make sure you keep your pivot foot planted to avoid traveling –Finish with a strong power lay-up Reverse Pivot – Jump shot or Drive to the Basket