Basketball: Ball Screen vs Hedging Defense

Players pass to the player higher up the court on the wing and then run up to the cones where they're blocked by another player. Players must wait for a second before then pushing off and running up the court for the return pass. After receiving the ball back they run inside the key and perform a lay-up.

The ball is placed one step away from the player. As they step forwards to pick up the ball the player should bend their knees. As they stand up in one movement the player should raise the ball above their head (bending at the elbow), locate the basket and push off the heels of their feet so that they are on their toes as they shoot.

When changing drills take 10 pinpoint shots from the free-throw line using a regular jump shot. Pin-point shooting is having the ball hit certain parts of the rim. Start by hitting the front of the rim, then the back, then the right shot and then the left and repeat again. A regular shot should be used. This drill improves touch and causes the player to concentrate on a smaller target. When having a shooting slump this is a good drill to do to get back on track. Shoot a maximum of 20 shots in 10 shot segments.

After catching the ball use the least amount of movement to get the ball into the shooting position. Take 20 shots on each side of the floor.

Players will set up as shown in the animation. With the basketball starting in the corner line. The ball will be passed from the corner to the line at the top. Once passed that player will run towards the free-throw line and receive the ball back. When that pass has been made, the player from the top line will run around the cone and towards the basket where they will receive the ball for a shot. Players will switch lines.

With knees bent and back bent to 20 degrees, drop step then turn. Bounce the ball then chin the ball up to the power box and being square to the board, shoot. Do twenty of these then move to the other side and do the same thing.

Make sure that feet are in front of the defenders feet, back is bent, knees are bent, and as wide as possible.Keep good balance. Keep arms wide and target hand up. Post up on the block and using a toss back or spin back, catch the spin back and meet the quick pass. Always chin the ball when close to the basket and keep it there at all times unless going to shoot or dribble. If pressured by a double team then pivot away from the pressure but keep the ball chinned.

Practice doing virtual variations of different moves, for example do a spin back at the top of the three point line in a guard position, forward pivot to a triple thread, head and shoulder fake to the middle, dibble drive to the baseline, do a spin fake and drive on the baseline to shoot a reverse layup. You will need to simulate different type game situations.

Pull up about 4 meters out and shoot a drop shot. Imagine having to shoot over bigger people so put a little bit more height on the ball to stimulate a game situation. Make sure this drill is done in both directions changing hands each time. Do this drill from anywhere on the court beyond the perimeter three point line. Use different changes in direction dribbles like behind the back, through the legs and spin dribbles. Take shots from 4-8 feet.

Set out five cones at random around the basket. Working in pairs, players must shoot from one cone and then move to the next cone, continuing to shoot for 1 minute (players must not shoot from same cone twice in a row). The player's partner must pounce on any rebounds and try to score any shot that the other player does not get in. After 1 minute players swap roles.

After a shot is released move quickly to a re-rounding position and put back with a power move. Remember to open out to get more reach. Go up to the shot from the chin position. Do not take the ball outwards then up. Do twenty of these on each side.

Sometimes you have to go backwards to go forwards, this is the purpose of this drill. Player 1 passes to player 2 and sprints inside the key before changing direction and running back out to the free throw line to receive the pass back from player 2. Player 1 executes a jump shot, gathers the ball and then passes to player 2 who starts the drill off again by passing the next queuing player.

Player 1 passes to player 2 and makes a break forwards before usinga body fake to get free. After the fake the player then accelerates to the elbow of the free throw line where they receive the ball, shoots and if necessary follow up with a rebound shot. Player 1 then passes to player 2 who throws the ball to the next player in line before joining the back of the queue. Player 1 replaces player 2 and the drill continues.

Players will set out as shown in animation. The player in the line at the top will dribble down towards the 3 point line. As the player at the top is dribbling, the player at the front of the other line will cut around the cones towards the middle of the free-throw line. The player will catch and shoot the ball. After the player shoot, they will get their own rebound, dribble around and pass it to the next player in the top line. The passer and the shooter will switch lines.

Setup the practice as shown.   Players 1 and 3 dribble towards the wing, with player 4 setting a lateral screen for player 2. Player 2 comes off the screen and receives a pass from player 3 for a shot. Player 4 cuts to the ball and receives a pass from player 1 for a shot.

The dribbler will use the ball screen and take 1 or 2 bounces to get separation. Once they have created separation the dribbler will make a bounce pass to the roller for a shot.

The dribbler will use the ball screen and take 1 or 2 bounces to get separation. Once they have created separation the dribbler will make a bounce pass to the roller for a lay up.

Player 1 passes the ball inside the key to player 2 and follows their pass. Before they enter they key player 1 cuts out to receive the return pass from player 2. At this point player 1 should dribble towards the basket with the intention of scoring. However, as soon as player 2 passes the ball they are allowed to close down and put pressure on player 1. Once Player 1 has taken their shot player 2 should collect the ball and drive out of the area before joining the back of the attacking queue. Player 1 joins the back of the defending queue.

Players line up outside the key in two lines, with one ball per line. The first player to run must shoot as soon as they enter the key. If they score their team get 2 points, if they miss but catch the rebound before it hits the floor and then score their team gets 1 point. If they miss altogether their team gets no points. The winning team is the one which gets to 21 points first.

Start on the block and toss to the free thrown line extended, jag, cut and when the ball is caught immediately drop step with a dribble drive to the baseline for the shot. Do twenty on each side, picking out all the skills that are involved in this move, study and learn each one. Break down all the moves into its parts and practice without the ball needed.