Team Shooting Drill by Wes Kosel

This is a team shooting drill that we use at Texas Lutheran to improve footwork, balance, ball handling skills, and shooting form. The drill works best with a full team, but can be used with as little as 8 players. We use the drill to warm-up for practices and games. Our players enjoy the drill because during the first two series (frame 1 and frame 2) the players have the opportunity to dunk. This drill is great for creating energy and encourages the players to communicate.

In the playbook, I have diagrammed the 5 moves that will be used. When you use this Team Shooting Drill, you should have all of your players finish the first move before moving onto the next. For example, all of your players should perform a Big step lay-up toward the right side (frame 1) before moving on to a Cross step lay-up on the left side (frame 2). Here is what you will need:

Players: 8 or more separated into two lines

Basketballs: 4 balls in one of the lines

Moves:

·        Big Step Lay-up (1 dribble maximum)

·        Cross Step Lay-up (1 dribble maximum)

·        Big Step Shot (focus on creating space)

·        Cross Step Shot (focus on creating space)

·        Straight Shot (focus on quick release)

** A Big step is performed by first facing up to the basket and then stepping in the direction of your non-pivot foot. For example, if your left foot is planted as your pivot foot, a Big step will be with the right foot and in the right direction.

**A Cross step is performed by first facing up to the basket and then stepping in the direction of your pivot foot. If your left foot is planted as your pivot foot, a Cross step will be with your right foot crossing your body toward the left side.

As the players move through the drill, they should be calling out names of teammates, communicating who has the rebound and outlet, and all should echo when the next move is initiated. The first player should yell “Big Step Shot”, and his teammates should echo this so that the entire team is on the same page. Once you have ran all of the moves with the right foot, switch the basketballs to the right side of the floor and perform the moves to the other side. It usually takes 6-8 minutes to complete depending on the number of players.

If you have any questions about this Team Shooting Drill, then feel free to contact me by twitter or email. I would be happy to help!

Wes Kosel is an assistant coach for men’s basketball under Head Coach Tommy Jones at Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, TX. 2013-2014 marks the second year for Kosel at TLU. Prior to arriving at TLU, Kosel served as a student assistant coach under Head Coach Chad Killscrow at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, KS. Kosel has an undergraduate degree in Exercise Science from the University of Kansas, and is pursuing a Master’s degree in Physical Education from the University of Houston. The Bartlesville, OK native is also a NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and teaches weight training and aerobic fitness courses at Texas Lutheran. He has coached AAU programs, volunteered with elementary and middle school basketball teams, and has worked basketball camps for various programs including the Houston Rockets, University of Houston, Texas State, and Texas A&M Corpus Christi

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Click on the pdf link to download the basketball drills:

Team Shooting Drill by Wes Kosel