As part of the recent Basketball Australia Under 18 national Championships in Brisbane, a clinic was conducted at Northside Wizards Basketball for coaches from the local area. The clinic covered using small-sided games to develop fundamentals in young players.
Introduction –
- The ability to execute fundamental skill under pressure underpins success at all levels
- “The basics are the most perishable” – more games are lost on the inability to pivot, pass, catch, cut, finish around the rim than anything tactical
- Everyone runs good “stuff” – it’s rarely tactical!
- In the age of the small-sided game, ensure you are “hiding the veggies in the spaghetti sauce” – have players practice core fundamentals in as many settings as possible
- Recent international youth events indicate our players need to be able to handle the ball, pivot and pass under physical pressure
Leading, passing and catching –
Drill 1 – 2 v 0/2 v 2 Nova CSU drill
- 2 v 0 to start, leading into the catch & square-up (CSU)
- Ball toughness/strong through the pivot
- Use of the shot fake on the catch – underrated skill
- Build to 2 v 2 no dribble -coach as pressure release
- Build to live after three passes without a deflection or touch
Drill 2 – 4 v 3 Birds in the Box
- 4 offensive players around the lane (metre off block and elbows)
- 3 defensive players
- Offence has to move the ball by the pass, no dribble, using fakes and pivots
- On the coach command, ball to coach, offence spread outside 3-point line, play 4 v 3 live
- CSU on every catch – forgotten skill!
Drill 3 – 4 v 0/4 v 4 “Cut Throat”
- 4 lines on the base-line
- On command, first 4 sprint out to spacing
- Every catch – CSU, eyes to the rim – turnover if not executed
- Firm, flat passes into pass and cut
- Every cut starts and finishes at the 3-point line
- Build to 4 v 4 no dribble – emphasis on ball toughness, pivoting and ball toughness
Ball handling and decision under duress –
Drill 4 – 2 v 0/2 v 2 plus 1 DHO
- Key – handler must break the 3-point line on the DHO
- Attack elbow initially and veer into DHO
- “Momentum in, momentum out” of the DHO
- Receiver – “load, look and leave”
- Play it 2 v 0 at speed, build to 2 v 2
- Coach as the pressure release – “the pressure release is often behind you”
- Coaches – be involved in as many drills as a passer or pressure release, see what the players see, help with decision making
Drill 5 – 4 v 4 Partners drill
- 4 v 4 on the perimeter
- Player on your side of the split-line is your “partner”
- Offence has to work with partner
- Ball-side – pass & cut, DHO
- Weak-side – down screen/flare screen
- Automatic screening when ball passed across the split-line
Drill 6 – 4 v 3 plus 1 paint decisions
- Need to drill end of drive (EOD) decisions/“deep paint decision making”
- Start drill with handler executing crossovers in small space with “defence” on hip, applying pressure and swiping at ball
- On coach command, drive to create a momentary 4 v 3 advantage
- Working drive and kick/paint decisions
- Play it live to a result – score or rebound
Summary –
- Invest in the things that impact winning – ball toughness, passing & catching, pivoting, free throws and finishing at the rim
- Establish your metrics around fundamentals in practice – chart and provide ongoing feedback on
- Turnovers
- Fumbles
- Deflections
- Lay-ups
- Free throws
- Praise and affirm solid play and decision making – Villanova
Leave a Reply