Top 10 Printable Basketball Drills For Coaches

Quick Links :

As a basketball coach, you're constantly looking for ways to improve your team's skills and performance. One effective way to do this is by incorporating drills into your practice sessions. But, with so many drills to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide which ones to use. That's why we've compiled a list of the top 10 printable basketball drills for coaches, designed to help you take your team to the next level.

These drills are designed to be versatile, easy to understand, and can be adapted to fit the needs of your team. Whether you're coaching a youth team or a professional squad, these drills will help you improve your players' fundamental skills, teamwork, and overall performance.

Drill #1: Full Court Scrimmage with a Twist

This drill is designed to work on teamwork, communication, and decision-making. Divide your team into two groups and have them play a full court scrimmage. However, add a twist by designating certain areas of the court as "off-limits" or " scoring zones". This will challenge your players to think creatively and make quick decisions on the fly.

• Objective: To improve teamwork, communication, and decision-making.
• Drill Instructions:
  1. Divide your team into two groups.
  2. Set up a full court scrimmage.
  3. Designate certain areas of the court as "off-limits" or "scoring zones".
  4. Play for 5-7 minutes, then switch teams and repeat.
• Variations:
  • Add a time limit for each possession.
  • Designate specific players as "shooters" or "passers".

Drill #2: Ball Handling Drills

This drill is designed to improve your players' ball handling skills, including dribbling, crossovers, and behind-the-back dribbles. Set up a series of cones or markers in a zig-zag pattern and have your players weave through them while performing different ball handling moves.

• Objective: To improve ball handling skills, including dribbling, crossovers, and behind-the-back dribbles.
• Drill Instructions:
  1. Set up a series of cones or markers in a zig-zag pattern.
  2. Have your players start at one end and weave through the cones while performing different ball handling moves.
  3. Focus on keeping their head up, staying low, and using different speeds.
• Variations:
  • Add a defender to apply pressure.
  • Use different types of balls or surfaces.

Drill #3: Shooting Drills

This drill is designed to improve your players' shooting skills, including form, follow-through, and accuracy. Set up a series of shooting stations around the court, each with a different shooting challenge (e.g. catch-and-shoot, off-the-dribble, etc.).

• Objective: To improve shooting skills, including form, follow-through, and accuracy.
• Drill Instructions:
  1. Set up a series of shooting stations around the court.
  2. Each station should have a different shooting challenge (e.g. catch-and-shoot, off-the-dribble, etc.).
  3. Have your players rotate through each station, taking a set number of shots at each one.
• Variations:
  • Add a defender to contest the shot.
  • Use different types of shots (e.g. three-pointers, layups, etc.).

Drill #4: Defensive Drills

This drill is designed to improve your players' defensive skills, including footwork, positioning, and reaction time. Set up a series of defensive stations around the court, each with a different defensive challenge (e.g. one-on-one, help defense, etc.).

• Objective: To improve defensive skills, including footwork, positioning, and reaction time.
• Drill Instructions:
  1. Set up a series of defensive stations around the court.
  2. Each station should have a different defensive challenge (e.g. one-on-one, help defense, etc.).
  3. Have your players rotate through each station, working on different defensive skills.
• Variations:
  • Add an attacker to challenge the defender.
  • Use different types of defensive schemes (e.g. man-to-man, zone, etc.).

Drill #5: Passing Drills

This drill is designed to improve your players' passing skills, including accuracy, speed, and decision-making. Set up a series of passing stations around the court, each with a different passing challenge (e.g. partner passing, passing to a moving target, etc.).

• Objective: To improve passing skills, including accuracy, speed, and decision-making.
• Drill Instructions:
  1. Set up a series of passing stations around the court.
  2. Each station should have a different passing challenge (e.g. partner passing, passing to a moving target, etc.).
  3. Have your players rotate through each station, working on different passing skills.
• Variations:
  • Add a defender to intercept the pass.
  • Use different types of passes (e.g. chest pass, bounce pass, etc.).

Drill #6: Agility Drills

This drill is designed to improve your players' agility, including speed, quickness, and reaction time. Set up a series of agility stations around the court, each with a different agility challenge (e.g. cone drills, ladder drills, etc.).

• Objective: To improve agility, including speed, quickness, and reaction time.
• Drill Instructions:
  1. Set up a series of agility stations around the court.
  2. Each station should have a different agility challenge (e.g. cone drills, ladder drills, etc.).
  3. Have your players rotate through each station, working on different agility skills.
• Variations:
  • Add a timer to challenge players to complete the drills quickly.
  • Use different types of agility equipment (e.g. cones, ladders, etc.).

Drill #7: Endurance Drills

This drill is designed to improve your players' endurance, including cardiovascular fitness and muscular endurance. Set up a series of endurance stations around the court, each with a different endurance challenge (e.g. running laps, burpees, etc.).

• Objective: To improve endurance, including cardiovascular fitness and muscular endurance.
• Drill Instructions:
  1. Set up a series of endurance stations around the court.
  2. Each station should have a different endurance challenge (e.g. running laps, burpees, etc.).
  3. Have your players rotate through each station, working on different endurance skills.
• Variations:
  • Add a timer to challenge players to complete the drills quickly.
  • Use different types of endurance exercises (e.g. sprints, jumping jacks, etc.).

Drill #8: Rebounding Drills

This drill is designed to improve your players' rebounding skills, including positioning, timing, and technique. Set up a series of rebounding stations around the court, each with a different rebounding challenge (e.g. boxing out, tipping, etc.).

• Objective: To improve rebounding skills, including positioning, timing, and technique.
• Drill Instructions:
  1. Set up a series of rebounding stations around the court.
  2. Each station should have a different rebounding challenge (e.g. boxing out, tipping, etc.).
  3. Have your players rotate through each station, working on different rebounding skills.
• Variations:
  • Add a defender to challenge the rebounder.
  • Use different types of rebounds (e.g. defensive rebounds, offensive rebounds, etc.).

Drill #9: Ball Handling Relay

This drill is designed to improve your players' ball handling skills, including dribbling, crossovers, and behind-the-back dribbles. Divide your team into two groups and set up a relay course with different ball handling challenges (e.g. cone drills, figure-eights, etc.).

• Objective: To improve ball handling skills, including dribbling, crossovers, and behind-the-back dribbles.
• Drill Instructions:
  1. Divide your team into two groups.
  2. Set up a relay course with different ball handling challenges (e.g. cone drills, figure-eights, etc.).
  3. Have each group start at one end of the relay course and work their way through each station.
• Variations:
  • Add a defender to apply pressure.
  • Use different types of balls or surfaces.

Drill #10: Scrimmage with Conditions

This drill is designed to improve your players' decision-making and teamwork in game-like situations. Set up a full court scrimmage with different conditions or rules (e.g. no dribbling, only passing, etc.).

• Objective: To improve decision-making and teamwork in game-like situations.
• Drill Instructions:
  1. Set up a full court scrimmage.
  2. Add different conditions or rules (e.g. no dribbling, only passing, etc.).
  3. Have your players play for 5-7 minutes, then switch teams and repeat.
• Variations:
  • Add a time limit for each possession.
  • Use different types of defensive schemes (e.g. man-to-man, zone, etc.).

By incorporating these top 10 printable basketball drills into your practice sessions, you'll be able to improve your team's skills, teamwork, and overall performance. Remember to always provide clear instructions, demonstrations, and feedback to your players, and to adapt the drills to fit their needs and abilities.

What's your favorite basketball drill? Share it with us in the comments below!