Basketball: Defender in the Middle

The player underneath the basket begins with a ball and tosses if off the backboard, simulating a rebound. They then pass to the point guard on the wing and sprints forward, while the player on the wing dribbles with quick feet through the cones. Once the player dribbling has reach the end of the cones, they will then pass to the player on the run for a lay up.

Two players (blue) with the ball start from the half way line. They're playing against Red 1 and Red 2. After the attackers have had their shot the 2 defenders must box out and claim the rebound. Once the drill is complete players rotate: Attackers become the new defenders, the defending pair leave the court and swap with a new pair who are the new attackers! Continue until every pair has had a go.

Player 1 passes across to player 2. Player 1 will then cut around the cone near the baseline and back up towards the 3 point line. When Player 1 gets to this position player 2 will pass to player 1. Player 2 will then run around the cone and cut towards the basket where he will receive a pass from player 1 and shoot the ball.

Within half court only, offensive team must try to make 15 consecutive passes. The defensive team must try to intercept or deflect the passes. No dribbling.

Blue 1 and Blue 3 must try to exchange passes. White 1, the defender must try to intercept or deflect the pass.

The person in the middle will receive the basketball from the player on the side, once the person in the middle has the ball they will throw it straight back to the same person. They will then turn to the other side and repeat this. They will continue to repeat this until they reach the half way line. Once they get to the half way line the players on the side lines will turn and dribble back. Once they get around 20 feet away from the basket, one at a time they will perform a "give and go" or 1-2 pass for a lay-up.

3 lines with the basketball starting in the middle. The ball is passed to a side, then back to the middle and then over to the other side. The ball is always passed back to the middle. Once the half court has been reached the players on the side will turn back the other way and run towards the basket. The player in the middle with the ball will dribble down the middle and make a pass to one of the players for a lay-up.

Red 1 shoots a free throw. Players O1, O2 and O3 rebound the ball, fill the lanes. Red 1 plays defence. 2 cones at the halfway line. The wing players must go around the cones. After finishing fast break the shooter becomes defender and 3 players goes against 1 to the opposite basket.

Players play a 3 on 2 passing game within the grid area.

Players are numbered from one to five with player number one starting with the ball to the right of the key. player number one will then pass the ball to player number two, following the direction of their pass and joining the left hand side of the court behind player number four. Player number two will then pass to number three, also following their pass and the movement continues... Once the players have reached the other side of the court the player with the ball should make make a layup and attempt to score.

For this drill the minimum number is 8 players but more players can participate by joining to form a queue behind number 2, 3, or 4 on either side. Although only shown on the left side of the court, this drill is run simultaneously on both sides. The aim of this drill is to look at good passing to a moving player and the ability to send a good pass for a player to perform a lay-up without needing to put the ball on the floor or travel.

(i) player now makes a v cut, imagines the defender is over-playing him and makes a Back Cut or backdoor cut receive phantom pass. (ii) Receives the ball and shoots.

Player 1 rolls the ball out to player 2, who in turn picks the ball up and gives a bounce pass to player 3 (in one action). Player 1 then goes behind player 4 and player 2 goes behind player 3 so the practice keeps going. A progression would be to introduce a chest pass

The player on the elbow closest to the ball (ballside) will set a downscreen for the player on the block to sprint to the three point line to receive the pass from the inbounder. Two players weakside simply space out to the three point line.

Player 1 (Blue) is trying to catch the other players whilst in possession of the ball.

Players work with a ball each and pass the ball against the wall so that the wall bounce passes the ball back to you. Repeat.

Two players standing opposite each other. Both pass the ball to each other using chest passes.

Players set up a circle with one defender in the middle and one ball per group. The players on the outside of the circle must pass the ball and try to keep it away from the defender. The defender stays in the middle until they steal or deflect the ball. When that happens, the pass who threw the pass will become the next defender.

Pass back to the person that passed it to you. Work around clockwise to begin then progress to 1,2,3,4 calling out 5s name before passing to him/her.

Setup the practice as shown. Player 1 passes to player 2 before running up to first cone and receiving the pass back from player 2. They then make a cross-court pass to player 3 before running around the cones to receive the pass back player 3. They then turn and shoot.