#1 We might add another ball to work on individual player development.
2 BALL STATIONARY DRIBBLING
This drill we utilize to work on our ball handling and dribbling. We have the players in a line on the baseline with one player in front as a leader. Each player has two basketballs and the leader takes them through a dribble routine of various ball handling exercises. We stress that they utilize the arms for dribbling and not just their wrists -- we want to pound the ball. We want them down in their stance with their head up. Utilizing two basketballs allows us to overload their work effort -- working on their strong hand and weak hand at the same time.
5/4 OPEN PERIMETER
One of our favorite drills is 5/4 in which we have four defensive players that have to defend five offensive players. The for guard offensive players are cutting and screening and looking to score. At any time, they may pitch it to the 5th and unguarded player. The unguarded player may only receive the ball when outside of the 3-point arc. When she receives the ball she is looking to drive the ball to the rim for a score. If our defense rotates properly and helps, she passes to an open player and we recover and continue playing until the possession is over on a miss, make or turnover. Forcing four players to defend five is extremely difficult but a great way to stretch your team defensively.
#3 Offensively, we might add a restriction to make it more difficult for the offensive team to perform.
4/4 NO DRIBBLE
Almost daily, we take the dribble away from the offensive team to place a premium on our ability to be strong with the ball, make good passes and execute our cuts against pressure defense. This is especially a great deal for motion teams. You can imagine how difficult it is to execute offensively without the use of a dribble. The defense can really pressure the ball without fear of being beat of the dribble. It forces the offense to work hard on their cuts to get open. The offense must get good, solid screens to get their teammates open. The player with the ball must work hard on low ball transfers and making good, quick passes aware from the defense.
Other offensive restrictions include:
Low Post Touch before a Jump Shot...of course the defense knows the restriction so they are working hard to take it away...but this makes your offense work in posting and sealing...spacing...and low post feeds.
2 Ball Reversals before a Jump Shot...great way to make your team think about reversing the ball...again the defense is working hard to take it away.
2 Touches for Aisha before a Shot...this restriction is designed to have your team work to get the ball to a key player...we obviously want the defense to work to take the touches away.
We Can Only Score off of a Down Screen (or Back Screen/Elbow Screen/Ball Screen)...again, placing emphasis on a specific part of our offense.
Restrictions are limited to a coach's imagination and what they believe their team needs to work on. One note however, we always allow a lay-up regardless of the restriction. For instance, if we say "Two ball reversals before a shot" and we make one pass and have a drive to the rim for a lay-up -- we will take the lay-up.
