Curl Cut

Video by BreakthroughBBall

1 starts the drill by passing to 2 3 curls off 1’s screen to receive a pass from coach on the left wing 3 should curl when the defender is trailing the play 1 cuts to the top of the key to receive a pass from 2 for the shot 1 moves to the end of 3’s line 2 moves to the end of 1’s line 3 moves to the end of 2’s line Follow the pass for a step before setting the screen in order to create a better screening angle (Diagram 1) (Diagram 2) Take a step towards the baseline to give the offense more depth and a better screening angle Made by Breakthrough Basketball

Chair 1v1

Video by BreakthroughBBall

This is a fun shooting game that combines attack & counter shooting footwork with the same footwork in a 1v1 context. It forces players to go game speed on their shooting, and then read the defense as they transition to 1v1. It requires 3 chair & 3 basketball. 1 & 2 start on the baseline. 3 chairs are set up on the wings and the top of the key. Each chair has a ball. On “go,” both players run to the chair on their side, pivot and shoot. If they make the shot, they are awarded 2 points. After shooting, players race to the chair at the top of the key. Whoever gets the ball 1st is on offense. The offense has 2 dribbles to score. (Diagram 1) (Diagram 2) Baskets are worth 1 point. 1. Games are up to 5. 2. Every time players reset, they should switch which side they start on. 3. On the initial shot, you can prescribe a certain pivot or allow players to choose. 4. As players get to the ball for 1v1, they should scan to see where the defender is. That allows them to quickly utilize the proper footwork and attack. Made by Breakthrough Basketball

Flare Cuts

Video by BreakthroughBBall

1 starts the drill by passing to 2 then receiving a flare screen from 3 3 slips the flare screen to receive a pass from coach on the left wing 1 flares out to the corner to receive a pass from 2 for the shot 1 moves to the end of 3’s line 2 moves to the end of 1’s line (Diagram 1) (Diagram 2) 3 passes to coach then moves to the end of 2’s line Made by Breakthrough Basketball

Ball Screen Reads

Video by BreakthroughBBall

This drill is a great drill to work on different ball screen reads. Players get reps attacking common ball screen coverages. They learn the ball handling and footwork combinations that work against each coverage, giving them comfort and confidence in games. You need 2 chairs (1 to be a defender, and 1 to be screen) (Diagram 1) Line players up at half court on the sideline. Each player has a ball. 1 dribbles below the screen to set their player up. 1 attacks off the screen and shoots a jumper or layup. 2 goes when 1 clears the screen. (Diagram 2) Once again 1 will dribble below the screen to set up the ball screen. We now pretend the on ball defender cheats towards the screen. 1 fakes like they are using the screen but then attacks back towards the baseline. In this scenario you will simulate a hedge (hence the 2nd chair). 1 dribbles below the screen to set up the defender. 1 then uses the screen and drags the hedger wide towards the center of the court. 1 should use a change of pace to get by the hedger (generally a big). 1 shoot a jumper or a layup. (Diagram 3) (Diagram 4) This is a 2nd hedge scenario. After setting up their defender, 1 comes off the screen. We assume there is a gap between the screen and the hedger. 1 fakes over the top before splitting the chairs. 1 should push the ball out to create space for a layup. Perform each scenario 4-6x on each side. Add in guided defense to force 1 to make a read based on how the screen is defended. Vary the types of shots & finishes players take in the drill. Made by Breakthrough Basketball

2v2 Catch-and-Cut (No Dribble)

Video by BreakthroughBBall

Two-on-two with the dribble taken away entirely at first — offense has to face up and score, or pass and cut, without ever putting the ball on the floor. Spacing is set at 12-15 feet apart; after passing, the cutter has to finish the cut hard to the rim rather than drifting, and the player left without the ball has a 3-count to relocate and get open again if the cut doesn't get the ball. Forces good spacing and full-speed cutting instead of standing and watching, since dribbling isn't there to bail anyone out. This drill comes from BreakthroughBBall.

Villanova 2 Feet

Video by Coach Ashworth

Borrowed from Jay Wright's Villanova teams: players catch on the wing, sell a hard exaggerated rip to get the defender to react, then attack into the middle of the lane and finish off two feet — still rising into a real jump shot or floater rather than gliding off one foot. Playing off two feet in the paint keeps players under control, makes them stronger through contact, and leaves the pass-out, shot-fake, or drawn foul all still available if the shot isn't there. This drill comes from Coach Ashworth.

Jab, Ball Screen

Video by Coach Ashworth

A wing-based series combining a jab step to create space with simulated ball-screen reads. Players jab toward the baseline to get the defender to react, then attack downhill off a cone (simulating a screen) into a finish. From there, add a spin move for when a defender cuts off the drive, and a 'split the hedge' move for beating an aggressive hard show on a ball screen. This drill comes from Coach Ashworth.